Beer But Better / Guides
ReviewCan you get drunk on alcohol-free beer?
By Alex Stewart
Updated 1 November 2026. Every figure links to its source below. How these pages are made.
The study
Thierauf and colleagues (Rechtsmedizin, 2012) asked 78 people who had not drunk for five days to drink 1.5 litres of beer at 0.41-0.42% within an hour. Of 67 usable results, alcohol was detectable in the blood of 20; the maximum was 0.0056 per mille. Their conclusion:
The results of the study suggest that even after consumption of unrealistically high amounts of non-alcoholic beer negative forensic implications are not to be expected.
Ratings compared
Checked 5 Nov 2026
| 1 | IMPOSSIBREW |  | 4.4 | 1,036 reviews |
| 2 | Lucky Saint | | 4.3 | 3,734 reviews |
| 3 | BrewDog |  | 4.0 | 2,600 reviews |
Brands with 1,000+ Trustpilot reviews are ranked. TrustScores and review counts from each brand's Trustpilot page, checked 5 Nov 2026.
How much alcohol is in a can
| Drink | Units |
|---|---|
| 440ml can at 0.5% (IMPOSSIBREW) | 0.22 |
| 500ml can at 0.5% (Drinkaware) | 0.25 |
| Pint of 4.4% lager | 2.5 |
You would need about eleven 440ml cans at 0.5% to match the alcohol in one pint of 4.4% lager, and your liver clears roughly one unit an hour (NHS).
The exceptions
Topping up. In a UK study (Badawy and colleagues, 2009), volunteers were first given alcohol to bring them just under the 80mg/100ml limit, then a pint of 0.5% beer:
A 0.5% v/v alcohol beer increased BEC above 80 mg/dl only in males, which lasted for 60 min.
On its own, 0.5% beer was not the problem; on top of earlier drinking, it can be. Liver disease. A published case report describes a patient with end-stage alcohol-related liver disease who reached 57mg/dL after non-alcoholic beer. The British Liver Trust says alcohol-free drinks are not suitable where complete abstinence is vital.
Where IMPOSSIBREW fits
IMPOSSIBREW is 0.5% and is not built to get you drunk. It is brewed with Social Blend (L-theanine, ashwagandha, magnesium) for a relaxed evening instead; in its 2024 survey, 72% of 775 responses said they felt relaxed after drinking it. It also has the highest Trustpilot score of any alcohol-free beer brand with over 1,000 reviews.
Try IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager →
IMPOSSIBREW in four numbers
FAQs
Can you get drunk on 0.5% beer?
No. In a study where 78 people drank 1.5 litres of 0.4% beer in an hour, the highest blood alcohol was 0.0056 per mille, far below any drink-drive limit.
How many alcohol-free beers equal one normal beer?
About eleven 440ml cans at 0.5% to match one pint of 4.4% lager.
Can alcohol-free beer show up on a breathalyser?
Not on its own in normal amounts, per the German study. On top of earlier drinking it can tip you over: a UK study found a pint of 0.5% pushed men already just under the limit over it for an hour. If driving, choose 0.0%.
Can recovering alcoholics drink alcohol-free beer?
The British Liver Trust says drinks labelled alcohol-free can still contain a small amount of alcohol and are not suitable where complete abstinence is vital. Ask your doctor or support worker.
Sources
All read 1 November 2026 unless stated. Prices change; check the brand's site before you buy.
- Thierauf et al., Rechtsmedizin 2012
- Badawy, Morgan and Thomas, Alcohol and Alcoholism 2009
- DiMartini et al., case report
- British Liver Trust: alcohol FAQs
- Drinkaware: the difference between alcoholic and alcohol-free beers
- NHS: calculating alcohol units
- IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager product page
- Trustpilot UK: IMPOSSIBREW
- Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager product page ("#1 Trustpilot Best Rated Alcohol-Free Beer" claim)
- Trustpilot UK: Lucky Saint
- London Beer Competition 2022: IMPOSSIBREW Lager, Gold, 91 points
- UK Fast Growth Index 2026: IMPOSSIBREW