You may have noticed new styles of beer popping up at your après-ski, around the holiday table, or in front of the TV during Sunday night football. Non-alcoholic beer offerings are on the rise, with macro and regional craft breweries developing their own NA styles. As more people choose to limit their drinking habits, Colorado breweries are stepping up to meet the demand, creating unique variations to cater to this growing trend.
Among them is Boulder's own Upslope Brewing Company, known for its variety of premium craft ales and lagers, as well as the popular Spiked Snowmelt hard seltzer. With a focus on approachable styles packaged in portable, adventure-ready aluminum cans, Upslope lives by its tagline, "Après Everything." Recently, they joined the non-alcoholic movement with the release of their Non-Alcoholic Craft Light, a new NA brew based on their flagship Craft Lager. Upslope noticed a shift in consumer interest and decided to deliver what fans were asking for. "We've seen a growing demand for NA beers, especially among people who enjoy the craft experience but want to cut back on alcohol without sacrificing flavor," said Katie Hill, Marketing Director.
Venturing into the non-alcoholic beer market presents unique challenges. As Upslope's Brewmaster, Alex Meyer, explains, "Developing a great NA beer is certainly a challenge, as specific parts of the process are a complete departure from traditional brewing methods. Alcohol provides body and drives flavor in regular beers, and its absence makes recipe design particularly tricky." Despite these challenges, the added time and investment—Upslope remains committed to the craft and listening to evolving preferences, believing that "it is worth it to make an NA beer that stands above the rest."
Loyal fans have witnessed Upslope's commitment to evolving alongside the tastes of its community. "Seeing the changing palates and interests of the craft drinker led us to create our popular Spiked Snowmelt hard seltzer a few years ago, and now, our new Hard Yerba Mate and non-alcoholic brews," says Dany Page, Co-Founder and VP of Brewing Operations. Page drew inspiration from his Argentinian roots when creating their newly released Hard Yerba Mate. "Being from Argentina, where yerba mate is a cherished tradition, I'm excited to share our Hard Yerba Mate with Upslope fans and newcomers alike. We've infused the rich traditions of yerba mate with our innovative spirit and quality craftsmanship to create something truly special on the hard tea scene."
And Upslope isn't stopping there. With plans to release a non-alcoholic version of their West Coast Style IPA next year, they're continuing to expand their offerings to meet the demand for flavorful, alcohol-free options. "We're all about giving people what they want while staying true to the Upslope brand, and we're always up for the challenge," Hill said. Find these new offerings, alongside their original lineup, in their Boulder tap rooms and in stores. There is always something exciting brewing at Upslope!