Cloudwater Freska
By Cloudwater · UK
Cloudwater’s first alcohol-free stout, 0.5%, new in October 2026: “notes of subtle cocoa powder and espresso sweetness”, “finishing clean, dry and seriously drinkable”, the brewer says.
At 0.5% ABV, this isn’t alcohol-free under UK guidance, which keeps the term for 0.05% or less. We list it with alcohol-free beers, as UK shops do. How UK labels work
What is Freska?
Cloudwater is an independent brewery in Manchester, founded in 2014, which brewed its first beers on 14 February 2015 and has a second taproom in London. Companies House lists its co-founder, Paul Jones, as its director and majority owner. Its alcohol-free beers, all 0.5%, are Fresh, a hazy IPA, with a limited Mosaic edition; Lo, a lager; Freska, a stout; and Tasty AF, a cherry and hibiscus sour.
Freska is “our first ever alcohol free stout”, Cloudwater says, an alcohol-free take on its Green Lane Stout. It describes a thick base of flaked barley and malt, “notes of subtle cocoa powder and espresso sweetness” and a clean, dry finish. It went on sale in October 2026.
Cloudwater labels it vegan and lactose-free. Nobody publishes its calories that we could find. We haven’t scored it yet.
Flavour Profile
A guide based on the style and Cloudwater’s description (cocoa powder and espresso, a clean, dry finish), to help you compare at a glance — not a definitive tasting.
Key facts
| Official name | Freska, an alcohol-free stout |
|---|---|
| Brewery | Cloudwater, UK |
| Style | Stout |
| ABV | 0.5% ABV, Cloudwater says |
| Pack | 440ml cans: singles and packs from Cloudwater; The Alcohol Free Co and Dry Drinker list it |
| Calories | Not published by the brewer or the shops we checked |
| Ingredients | Not published in full; Cloudwater mentions flaked barley and malt |
| Allergens | Barley, oats and wheat (cereals containing gluten), Cloudwater says |
| Vegan | Yes, Cloudwater says, and lactose-free |
| Gluten | It isn’t gluten-free: it’s brewed with barley, oats and wheat |
| How it’s made | Cloudwater doesn’t say |
| Brewed | At Cloudwater’s brewery in Manchester, as far as Cloudwater says |
| UK availability | Sold out at The Alcohol Free Co and Dry Drinker; in stock at Cloudwater |
Sources: Cloudwater’s own website, The Alcohol Free Co and Dry Drinker, checked October 2026. The label on the can or bottle is always the final word.
How Freska sits in the Cloudwater range
| Beer | Style | ABV | Per 100ml | Unhopped score | UK status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lo | Lager | 0.5% | Not published | Not yet rated | In stock at The Alcohol Free Co, Dry Drinker and Cloudwater |
| Fresh: Mosaic Edition | Hazy IPA, a limited edition | 0.5% | Not published | Not yet rated | Single cans at The Alcohol Free Co; in stock at Cloudwater |
| Freska (this beer) | Stout | 0.5% | Not published | Not yet rated | Sold out at The Alcohol Free Co and Dry Drinker; in stock at Cloudwater |
| Tasty AF | Fruited sour, with cherry and hibiscus | 0.5% | Not published | Not yet rated | In stock at The Alcohol Free Co, Dry Drinker and Cloudwater |
The Cloudwater beers in our directory, checked October 2026. Scores are Unhopped ratings out of 10. Cloudwater doesn’t publish calorie figures that we could find.
About Cloudwater
Cloudwater is an independent Manchester brewery that brewed its first beers in 2015. Its alcohol-free range includes Lo, a lager, Freska, a stout, Tasty AF, a cherry and hibiscus sour, and Fresh, a hazy IPA, with a limited Mosaic edition, all at 0.5%.
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