- Name: Drop Bear Beer Co.
- Country: Wales
- City: Swansea
- Taproom: No
- Founded: 2019
- Founders: Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena
- Popular beers: New World Lager, Yuzu Pale Ale, Tropical IPA, Bonfire Stout.
The selection of NA beers in the UK was a big disappointment for Sarah and she decided to change that.
Introduction
Drop Bear Beer Co is one of the premier brewers of non-alcoholic craft beer in Europe. They´re operating out of Swansea, Wales, but their beers can be found all over the continent.
Not only is this a Certified B Corp, they have plenty of other things going on. It´s a female-owned and run non-alcoholic craft beer brewery and they are focusing on a sustainable future. All of their beers are both vegan and gluten-free.
History of Drop Bear Beer Co
It took less than a year for Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena to make dreams become reality. It was in 2018 that they started throwing around the idea of starting a brewery for non-alcoholic craft beer. Just about a year later in 2019 the Drop Bear Brewery was already up and running.
The idea got its start in October 2018 when Sarah stopped drinking. It kind of bugged her as she was a big fan of craft beer. The selection of NA beers in the UK was a big disappointment for her and she decided to change that. Her partner Sarah didn´t really believe in the idea at first until she started experiencing the growth of the non-alcoholic craft beer industry first-hand.
After that, they started developing the recipes for their first beers. The first alcohol free craft beers they released commercially were the Yuzu Pale Ale and Tropical IPA. The design from their cool brand came from the Swansea creative agency Walters Creative.
Awards
- Imbibe No & Low Taste Awards 2020 – Best No & Low IPA for Tropical IPA.
- European Beer Challenge – Double Gold in low-alcohol beer, gluten-free beer category for their New World Lager.
- European Beer Challenge – Gold in low-alcohol beer, gluten-free beer category for their Bonfire Stout.
Best Drop Bear Beer Co Beer
As for now, the Drop Bear brewery does not have many limited releases like, for example, Athletic Brewing. They are focusing on their flagship beers but we are sure they will get more experimental in the future.
New World Lager
The Drop Bear New World Lager uses modern hop-varieties from the Southern Hemisphere. We thought it could be Australian hops but there are actually only New Zealand hops in this beer. The hops used are Wai-ti, Rakau, and Motueka.
It is an India Pale Lager, and a vegan non alcoholic lager. Crispy with some honey sweetness. Brewed with Lager Malt, Amber Malt, and Wheat Malt.
- Style: Non-alcoholic India Pale Lager
- ABV: 0.5%
- IBU: 16
- Calories: 49.5 kcal per can
- Gluten-free: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
Yuzu Pale Ale
Yuzu is a citrus fruit originally from East Asia. The fruit is similar to grapefruit which makes it a great addition to a refreshing non-alcoholic Pale Ale. Apart from the Yuzu, The Drop Bear Yuzu Pale Ale is utilizing the popular C-hops Chinook, Cascade, and Centennial. Very low in calories with only 45 kcal per can.
- Style: Non-alcoholic American Pale Ale
- ABV: 0.4%
- IBU: 33
- Calories: 35 kcal per can
- Gluten-free: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
Tropical IPA
The Drop Bear Tropical IPA is probably the most renowned alcohol free craft beer from Drop Bear. This beer is packed with American hops and in 2020 it won the award for Best No and Low IPA at the Imbibe Low & No Taste Awards 2020.
The hops used are Ekuanot, El Dorado, Simcoe, and Citra.
- Style: Non-alcoholic IPA
- ABV: 0.3%
- IBU: 46
- Calories: 49 kcal per can
- Gluten-free: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
Bonfire Stout
Smokey and smooth is how the Dropbear brewery is describing their Bonfire Stout. Flavours of caramel espresso, smoked malt, and dark chocolate. It is partly inspired by traditional styles like the German Rauchbier but also an Irish Stout. Don’t forget to read our Bonfire Stout review.
- Style: Non-alcoholic Stout
- ABV: 0.5%
- IBU: 27
- Calories: 55 kcal per can
- Gluten-free: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
Where to Buy Drop Bear Beer Online?
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You can buy Drop Bear beers on their website. The average price for a can is just under £1.70 if you buy a case. They can also be found in some other European countries so check your local craft beer webshops.
If you want to buy Drop Bear Beer in the UK we recommend the webshop DryDrinker. They have a whole selection of non-alcoholic craft beers including ones from Drop Bear Beer Co. Don´t forget to check out the mixed case that currently goes for just over £31.
FAQ
When was Drop Bear Beer Co founded?
The idea started 2018 and in 2019 the actual brewery opened.
Who owns Drop Bear Beer Co?
The brewery is owned by Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena.
How many non-alcholic beers does Drop Bear Beer Co have?
There are 4 flagship beers.
Is Drop Bear Beer Co a Certified B Corporation?
Yes! They are B Corp certified since November 2021.