hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in
Directory›Anheuser-Busch

O'Doul's

Anheuser-Busch
Tap to rate
🌍 United States · Alcohol-Free Lager · One of 96 Alcohol-Free Lagers in hopIQ

O'Doul's came out in 1990 as one of the first nationally sold non-alcoholic beers in the United States. It is brewed from barley malt, corn, cane sugar and hops, fermented and cold-aged like a full-strength lager, and the alcohol is then removed by distillation at low temperature and reduced pressure, so the beer is never heated. It pours deep gold with a light aroma of hops and spice. The palate is mild and gently sweet with a light bready grain note, the body smooth yet crisp, and the finish slightly dry.

ABV
0.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4

AWARDS

Bronze · 1999
Great American Beer Festival
Gold · 2003
Great American Beer Festival
★Bronze — Great American Beer Festival
★Gold — Great American Beer Festival
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Very light frame.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very light and crisp.

Built for the second pour — a clean shape that stays inviting through the round.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Alcohol-Free Lager.
Hop character
spicy hop
Malt character
bready
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for O'Doul's

◎ Appearance

Pours a deep gold hue with bright clarity and good light transmission. The head forms modestly and shows fair retention with visible lacing as the beer settles. Carbonation appears present but restrained, appropriate for the style.

deep goldbright, clearmoderate head retention

◌ Aroma

The nose presents a light, reserved character dominated by noble hop notes with gentle spice undertones. A subtle bready grain quality emerges on closer inspection, while the overall aromatic profile remains delicate and understated, avoiding any harsh or chemical notes.

noble hopslight spicebready grain

◐ Taste

Entry is mild and gently sweet with a smooth malt base. The mid-palate maintains that grain sweetness with a bready quality, while a light bitterness—appropriate to the 22 IBU level—sits quietly in the background. The body is unexpectedly crisp for an alcohol-free beer, avoiding any cloying character.

soft sweetnessbreadylight bitternesscrisp body

◑ Finish

The finish is slightly dry and clean, with the bitterness fading quickly to leave a gentle grain aftertaste. The overall impression is brief but pleasant, without any lingering metallic or off-flavors.

dry finishclean
72
hopIQ score
Aroma
70
Taste
72
Appearance
75
Finish
70
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of O'Doul's

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with O'Doul's

About Alcohol-Free Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Alcohol-Free Lager?

Alcohol-Free Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Alcohol-Free Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same crisp, smooth, bready character as O'Doul's will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Alcohol-Free Lagers in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →