Should You Drink Low Alcohol Beer or Alcohol Free Beverages?

Is Fake Liquor a Problem?

Man drinking bottle of beer
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Low alcohol beer and wine have been widely available for several years, and research shows that even regular beer drinkers can't tell the difference between low alcohol beer and the real thing. Many people who are reducing the amount of alcohol they are drinking wonder whether low alcohol or alcohol-free beverages are a good substitute for full-strength alcoholic drinks. There are several issues to consider when making this choice.

Have You Ever Had an Alcohol Problem?


  • A diagnosis of alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder
  • Binge drinking, or difficulty stopping once you have started drinking
  • Problems with self control when intoxicated
  • Becoming aggressive, anxious or depressed after drinking
  • Physical problems as a result of alcohol use, such as liver disease

If you have a problem with alcohol, you may be better off avoiding alcoholic drinks of any kind. It is also worth considering avoiding alcohol if one of your parents or siblings has had serious problems with alcohol. If you are not considering cutting down on your number of drinks, low alcohol or alcohol-free beverages are a way of reducing your overall alcohol consumption and risk of alcohol-related problems.


Placebo and Expectancy Effects

Placebo effects—in the case of drugs, effects which aren’t actually caused by the drug itself—can also occur when people drink low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks. The effects of being intoxicated, such as lowered inhibitions—can be experienced without actually having a lot of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Expectancy also affects how a person reacts to low alcohol or alcohol-free beverages. Research into alcohol expectancies shows that alcohol/drug effects and the cycle of addiction are driven by people getting the effects they expect to get. While someone drinking a low alcohol or alcohol-free beverage might not consciously expect to become intoxicated, the taste and appearance of the drink can trigger expectancy effects, causing the person to behave as if they had consumed a greater amount of alcohol.


Low Alcohol vs. Alcohol-Free Beverages

A range of low alcohol and alcohol-free beverages are available. Alcohol-free beverages contain no alcohol at all, while low alcohol beverages have had most of the alcohol removed by osmosis (many still contain up to 0.5 percent alcohol). There are over 38 different types of low alcohol beer available, and research shows that the difference between these and full strength beer cannot be determined by tasting.



Harm Reduction for Drivers


Because low alcohol and alcohol-free beverages do not dehydrate you to the same extent as full-strength beverages (you feel less thirsty after drinking them than you do regular versions), the risk of drinking an excessive amount of low alcohol or alcohol-free beverages is low.

Avoiding Intoxication


Purported Health Benefits


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Article Sources
  • Harnett, C. "University Students Can't Spot Low-Alcohol Beer in Taste Test" Times Colonist, December 11, 2007. 
  • Segal, D. & Stockwell, T. Low Alcohol Alternatives: a Promising Strategy for Reducing Alcohol Related Harm. International Journal on Drug Policy. 20(2):183-7. 2009. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.06.001.