Mikkeller Alcohol-Free Beers Review: Danish Craft at Its Best
Published May 2026 · 7-minute read · by Rich, founder of Unhopped
Mikkeller is what happens when one of the most respected craft brewers in the world turns their attention to alcohol-free. The Mikkellensis yeast is genuinely innovative — it ferments without producing alcohol, so nothing has to be removed afterwards. The result is AF beer that retains more aromatic character than dealcoholised beers can preserve.
Who are Mikkeller?
Mikkeller is one of the most influential craft breweries of the last twenty years. Founded in Copenhagen in 2006 by Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, a former physics teacher and obsessive homebrewer, Mikkeller pioneered the 'gypsy brewing' model — brewing at partner facilities rather than owning one big brewery. That flexibility allowed them to experiment more aggressively than most breweries can afford to.
In the years since, Mikkeller's beers have appeared in over 50 countries. They run bars in Copenhagen, San Diego, Tokyo, and Barcelona. They host one of Europe's most-respected beer festivals (MBCC). And they've turned that craft brewing pedigree to alcohol-free — using a proprietary yeast strain (Mikkellensis) to make AF beer that doesn't compromise on flavour the way dealcoholised beers often do.
Mikkeller's alcohol-free range has been growing since 2018 and now includes pale ales, IPAs, lagers, hazy IPAs, and seasonals — most brewed at De Proefbrouwerij in Belgium for European and UK distribution.
What makes Mikkeller different
The Mikkellensis yeast
Most major AF brewers use one of two approaches: brew full-strength then strip the alcohol (vacuum distillation, cold filtration), or use specialty yeasts that produce minimal alcohol. Mikkeller's Mikkellensis yeast is in the second category but has been engineered specifically for hop expression. The result is AF beer that preserves more aromatic complexity than typical dealcoholisation methods can manage — particularly noticeable in the IPA and hazy IPA range.
Craft brewing pedigree
Many AF brewers come at the category from a wellness-and-fitness angle. Mikkeller comes at it from established craft brewing. The brewery's reputation in full-strength beer (Mikkeller has won the World's Best Stout designation, has a ranked global craft beer presence, and runs the celebrated MBCC festival) carries directly into how they approach alcohol-free.
Gypsy brewing flexibility
Brewing at multiple partner sites means Mikkeller can produce beer closer to its target market. UK Mikkeller AF beers are typically brewed at De Proefbrouwerij in Belgium — a short hop across the Channel — which keeps them fresher than US or Asian production would.
The Mikkeller alcohol-free range: our top picks
Weird Weather Hazy IPA (0.3%)
Mikkeller's most-rated AF beer in our directory. A hazy IPA at 0.3% ABV — tropical fruit and citrus hop character, smooth wheat-influenced body, clean finish. The hop expression is meaningfully better than most dealcoholised hazy IPAs can manage.
Drink\'in The Sun (0.3%)
The original Mikkeller alcohol-free beer and still the most quoted. A wheat-pale ale at 0.3% — citrus, tropical fruit, soft wheat sweetness. Brewed using Mikkeller's special low-alcohol yeast (and the De Proefbrouwerij site that produces several other notable AF beers including Beavertown's Lazer Crush).
Racing Beer (0.3%)
A lager designed for athletes and active lifestyles — clean, crisp, low-calorie. Lighter than Drink'in The Sun and meant as a refreshing drink rather than a full flavour experience.
How Mikkeller compares to the wider European alcohol-free category
Mikkeller's role in alcohol-free is part of a broader Danish craft beer reputation that includes Evil Twin (run by Bjergsø's twin brother), Ølfabrikken, To Øl (whose founders Bjergsø taught when he was still teaching school), and others. The Mikkeller alcohol-free range is consistently among the highest-rated AF beers from Europe. For UK-based comparisons, see our roundups of alcohol-free hazy IPAs and alcohol-free pale ales.
Beers to explore
Mikkeller's UK-distributed alcohol-free range:
