Guinness 0.0 Review — Is It Actually Any Good?

Yes. Guinness 0.0 is genuinely good. It took Guinness years to develop and get right, and the result is one of the most impressive alcohol-free beers in the world. It looks, smells and tastes remarkably close to the real thing — and at 17 kcal per 100ml, it is also tied for the fewest calories among the stouts we track.

Guinness spent four years developing the 0.0, Diageo said at its launch. Its brewers make Guinness as usual, then remove the alcohol by cold filtration, which Diageo says protects the beer’s taste and character. It first went on sale in the UK in October 2020, was recalled within weeks because some cans might contain mould, and was relaunched in Great Britain in August 2021. Diageo now says it’s the best-selling alcohol-free beer in Great Britain.

The can uses the same widget as regular Guinness — that little plastic device inside the can that creates the famous creamy head when you pour. It works just as well in the 0.0.

Appearance: Pours jet black with the characteristic two-tone effect — black body separating from a creamy ivory head as it settles. Visually identical to regular Guinness.

Aroma: Roasted malt, dark chocolate, a hint of coffee. There is a very slight sweetness on the nose that you might notice if comparing directly with the full-strength version, but it is subtle.

Taste: Dry roasted character up front, creamy mouthfeel, a gentle bitterness on the finish. The flavour profile is impressively close to regular Guinness — the main difference is a slightly lighter body and a touch less complexity on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy, with that velvety texture Guinness is known for. This is where Guinness 0.0 really shines — the mouthfeel is exceptional for an NA beer.

Honestly, closer than you would expect. Side by side, the 0.0 has a slightly thinner body and less of the complex roasted depth of full-strength Guinness. But pour it on its own, serve it correctly, and most people would struggle to tell the difference. That is a remarkable achievement.

A pint of the 0.0 works out at about 97 kcal (Guinness gives 17 kcal per 100ml).

Serve cold but not ice cold — around 6-8°C is ideal. Pour slowly at an angle into a clean glass, then let it settle for 90 seconds before topping up. The widget creates the cascade effect automatically. Do not rush it. The ritual is part of the experience.

Verdict

Guinness 0.0 is one of the best arguments for alcohol-free beer. It proves that with enough investment and expertise, NA beer can genuinely rival its full-strength counterpart. An essential purchase.

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