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The Beer Blog

Your guide to craft beer news, events, and breweries in Chicago! Signup for our newsletter for notifications on new posts.


Better For You Non-Alcoholic Beverages ›
On December 23, 2025  ·  in Tasting Notes

Well what do you know? 2026 is here! With the start of a brand new year comes new ambitions and goals – and a common goal for most folks is to get in better health. Now that could be a very broad idea – but one of those aspects usually comes with cutting back on alcohol, sugar, or calories. Well, once again your friends at Lakeshore Beverage are here to help you out on your new year health goals with zero-proof products that can help tackle each of your specific goals in 2026!


Like the clean crisp taste of an American Light Lager?

MIchelob Ultra Zero and NEW Michelob Ultra Zero Lime Available Jan 5 – Alcohol-free, 0.0% alc/vol, 29 calories, and 6.5 carbs per 12 fl. oz. Inspired by the smooth taste of Michelob ULTRA, this superior alcohol-free brew delivers a crisp citrus aroma and a clean finish. With half the calories of leading non-alc competitors, it’s an easy choice for those who want to enjoy beer anytime.

 

Do you prefer craft beers?

If so, check out these non-alc craft options.

Founders Nonetheless – Introducing a craft non-alcoholic golden beer brewed by one of the standards of craft beer. It features smooth, bready notes, along with a bit of sweetness – topped off with a crisp finish.

Best Day – Want to live your best day? Best Day brewing is here with non-alcoholic craft beers so you can stay committed to what you love without having to slow down. On top of that, they have popular craft beer styles so you never have to feel like you’re missing out.

Go Brewing – Creating non-alcoholic brews for a better tomorrow, Naperville based Go Brewing sought a better beer to go with their active lifestyles. So they created non alcoholic craft beers that pair with everyday lives.

 

Brewdog – If you’re a Brewdog fan, did you know that they have a non-alcoholic line, recreating their most popular beers as NA brews? It’s the perfect way to enjoy Brewdog without any of the alcohol. Fan of their Hazy Jane? Try Hazy AF. What about Elvis Juice? Then try Elvis AF. No matter what, Brewdog has you covered.

Deschutes x Patagonia – A beer for the environment, Deschutes and Patagonia combined to create responsibility sourced non-alcoholic beer using Kernza – a soil-saving, carbon- capturing perennial grain.

Surly – Maybe a sparkling hop water with that Surly attitude is right up your alley. Inspired by their famous Axe Man IPA, Surly created a hop water using citra & mosaic hops to make a sparkling water worthy of the Surly moniker.

If International beers are your thing, here are some zero-proof versions of some of the very best!

Guinness Zero – Not drinking? There’s a Guinness for that. Introducing Guinness 0.0 – created by the same folks who make the original Guinness at St. James Gate. On top of that, it was brewed to have the exact same characteristics as the original – so the experience is exactly the same.

Stella Artois 0.0 – Stella Artois 0.0 is a non-alcoholic lager designed to help you savor those moments with friends without alcohol. It’s the same Stella Artois that you know and love, brewed to give you more.

 

How about wine?

90+ Cellars Alcohol Removed Sparkling Wine (Brut and Rose)- A better way to celebrate – 90+ Cellars Alcohol Removed wines are non-alcoholic versions of their famous wines, meaning you don’t have to give up celebrating with your friends, or enjoying a nice glass on the sofa after a long day.

 

Craving a zero proof cocktail or cider?

Blake’s Zero Proof Ciders – The folks at Blake’s have created alcohol-free, lightly carbonated beverages Inspired by the same profiles you love and with a cocktail flavor twist.  Try American Fashioned – A 0.0% twist on our iconic American Apple beverage, or El Chavo Margarita, inspired by our El Chavo hard cider or Triple Jam Mojito, a fresh take on Blake’s beloved Triple Jam.


And there you have it – a toolbox of zero-proof drinks that’ll help you crush your 2026 goals. Check out Lakeshore Beverage on Instagram to get more details on some of these listed beverages. Happy new year!


Build Your Beverage Team
Your Dream Drink Team! ›
On September 22, 2025  ·  in Bud Light, Founders Brewing Co., Goose Island Beer Co., Kona Brewing Co., Michelob Ultra, Spiteful Brewing, Tasting Notes

Football is back! After a long (and eventful) offseason, football has finally returned and we can spend our Sundays glued in front of the TV with friends and family with snacks and drinks. But, what’s your team for this upcoming season?

Your team, you ask? Yes! You need a team of drinks to get you from kickoff to the postseason, and we’re here to help you create a team of your own.

Read More


Gluten Free Beverage Guide 2025 ›
On May 20, 2025  ·  in Behind the Beer, Tasting Notes

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month – bringing awareness to Celiac Disease, and the two million people in the United States that live with this condition. This means their body cannot process gluten products and it causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, headaches, and more. There’s a good amount of people who live with Celiac Disease, and they don’t even realize it.

Because of this, people with Celiac Disease have to be wary of what they eat and drink. Normally beers are crafted with gluten, so it’s immediately a no-go for people with Celiac Disease, but there’s options for everyone to enjoy. So, don’t feel bummed out if you’re at a get-together and reach for these gluten free options!

Hard Seltzers – Hard seltzers are simply made. Seltzer water, alcohol, and natural fruits and flavors. They are a delicious go-to for someone living with Celiac Disease. In addition, they’re extremely versatile and can be enjoyed at parties, black tie events, tailgates, and on the back porch. We recommend trying out a Nutrl Seltzer. They’re made with just seltzer, water, and juice. That’s all. You can enjoy one without worrying about any nasties hiding inside.

Hard Ciders – Another option falls with the hard cider. These beverages are crafted from apple juice, so once again, there’s no gluten involved at all. Although ciders are seen as a cold weather treat, this author enjoys a good hard cider year round. We recommend Eris’ Pedestrian Cider, and Blake’s American Apple. They’re both good forward drinking ciders and good starting points to explore the wide world of hard ciders.

Gluten Removed/Reduced Beers – So what if you want an actual beer? No worries. There’s advancements in technology that removes gluten from the beer during the brewing process so you can enjoy a beer with your friends at any time. We recommend opening up a can of Stone Delicious IPA, or Omission Ultimate Golden Ale. Both are easily drinkable and perfect everyday beers for someone with a gluten intolerance.

So next time you’re at a party or a bar, just know you’re not relegated to a soda or water, and you can seek out these options to enjoy a drink or two with your friends without the risk of an adverse gluten reaction.


Spring’s Most Wanted ›
On March 13, 2025  ·  in Tasting Notes

We did it, we made it through yet another Chicago winter. Temperatures are slowly (but surely) rising and the sun doesn’t set at 5pm anymore. Spring is right around the corner – and that means more outdoor activities like hanging out at patios with friends and just enjoying the nice(r) weather.

And of course your friends here at Lakeshore Beverage are here to make sure you spend the spring months with the best beverages in the world. No matter if you drink beer, seltzers, cocktails, or something else. Keep reading to find out who’s on this murderer’s row of hot spring beverages!

Read More


Better For You 2025 ›
On December 17, 2024  ·  in Behind the Beer, Tasting Notes

Well what do you know? It’s almost 2025! I feel like it was a month ago when we were talking about 2024 goals and resolutions. How did those go, by the way? Successful? Congrats! If not, don’t worry – 2025 is a blank slate.

So – what are your goals for the year? A healthy lifestyle includes enjoying yourself, so you shouldn’t have to compromise taste and quality as part of your resolutions.  Here’s a guided breakdown of resolutions and some products to help you along with your goals!

Read More


6 Gluten Reduced Beverages for you to Enjoy! ›
On May 21, 2024  ·  in Behind the Beer, Tasting Notes

Did you know that May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month? Celiac Disease may or may not sound familiar to you but it is something that is more than likely to affect someone that you know like a friend or loved one. According to John Hopkins Medicine, more than 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease and not all of them even know they have it. Symptoms of a gluten intolerance include abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches and more.

Beer is made of gluten, so someone with an intolerance won’t be able to enjoy a round with friends at the bar. But not all is lost, there are some beers (and non beers) that are gluten reduced, or even free options you can enjoy whether taking a pack home or enjoying a pint at the bar. Here are six options you can drink for a pleasant gluten free (or reduced) experience.

Read More


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