Big Drop Pine Trail Non-Alcoholic 6Pk

Big Drop Pine Trail Non-Alcoholic 6Pk is a 0.5% ABV non-alcoholic pale ale brewed with Magnum, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops, sold as a six-pack of cans. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship and has been named "World's Best" pale beer at the World Beer Awards on multiple occasions — a remarkable distinction for any beer, let alone one brewed below 0.5% ABV.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.5%  |  IBU: 42  |  Origin: London, UK / Chicago, USA  |  Style: Non-Alcoholic Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Big Drop Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Big Drop Brewing Co. was founded in London in 2016 with a singular mission: to brew non-alcoholic beers that could stand alongside full-strength craft offerings. Rather than brewing a conventional beer and stripping out the alcohol, Big Drop uses creative brewing techniques to naturally produce beer at 0.5% ABV without any artificial extraction process. Pine Trail relies on a trio of hops — Magnum for bittering structure, Mosaic and Amarillo for aromatic complexity — along with added lactose (milk sugar), which lends a fuller, creamier body than most low-ABV beers can achieve. The beer is also dry-hopped to intensify aroma without piling on additional bitterness. U.S. production takes place at Great Central Brewing Co. in Chicago.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Resinous pine leads the nose immediately, followed by layers of sweet mango, lychee, and citrus. Rosy floral notes emerge as the beer opens up in the glass, with a grassy, tropical quality throughout.

Taste: The entry is smooth and lightly carbonated, with pale malt and wheat establishing a clean foundation. Mid-palate, tropical and citrus flavors bloom alongside a limey bite, while the lactose addition gives the body a soft, creamy weight that avoids any syrupy feel. Bitterness is balanced but unmistakable at 42 IBU, giving the beer genuine pale ale character.

Finish: A malty, lightly caramel aftertaste lingers alongside persistent hop bitterness. The finish is clean and moderately dry, with residual pine and citrus notes that encourage the next sip.

How to Drink Pine Trail

Pine Trail drinks best chilled to around 40–45°F, poured into a pint glass or tulip to release the hop aromatics. It works well straight from the can for casual sessions. For non-alcoholic cocktail applications, try it in a NA Shandy blended with fresh lemonade for a bright summer refresher; use it as the base for an alcohol-free Michelada with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire for a savory kick; or mix it into a Hop Spritz alongside tonic water and a grapefruit twist for a lighter, effervescent serve.

Best For

• Dry January participants who refuse to compromise on hop-forward flavor
• Weeknight dinners where a full-strength beer feels like too much
• Post-workout or midday refreshment with genuine craft beer complexity
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast exploring the non-alcoholic category

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pine Trail taste like? Pine Trail delivers resinous pine and tropical fruit on the nose, a creamy and lightly bitter palate with lime and mango, and a clean malty finish. The 42 IBU bitterness gives it the structure of a traditional pale ale despite its 0.5% ABV.

How does Pine Trail compare to Athletic Brewing? Both are leading non-alcoholic craft brands, but Pine Trail distinguishes itself with lactose-enhanced body and a more pronounced hop bitterness at 42 IBU. Athletic Brewing's flagship offerings tend toward a lighter, more sessionable malt profile, while Big Drop leans into aromatic dry-hopping and creamier mouthfeel.

Is Pine Trail good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the combination of Mosaic and Amarillo dry-hopping with a creamy lactose body gives Pine Trail enough complexity and texture to hold attention as a standalone drink without needing food or mixers.

Where is Pine Trail made? Big Drop Brewing Co. was founded in London, UK, in 2016. For the U.S. market, Pine Trail is brewed at Great Central Brewing Co. in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Pine Trail? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement the citrus and tropical hop notes. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda plays well against the malty, caramel undertones. Spicy Thai or Indian curries are tempered by the beer's creamy body. A simple margherita pizza matches the clean bitterness without overwhelming the palate.

What sizes does Pine Trail come in? This listing is a six-pack of cans. Big Drop also typically offers individual cans and variety packs depending on availability.

Is Pine Trail worth the price? Pine Trail positions itself in the premium tier of non-alcoholic craft beer, and its multiple World Beer Awards wins and U.S. Open Gold Medal validate that positioning. For drinkers seeking genuine pale ale character without the alcohol, it represents strong value relative to the quality delivered.

Why Pine Trail?

Most non-alcoholic beers are defined by what they lack. Pine Trail is defined by what it delivers: a Gold Medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship and the title of "World's Best" pale beer at the World Beer Awards — honors earned in categories that include full-strength competitors. The natural brewing process, which avoids alcohol removal entirely, preserves hop complexity and malt character that extraction methods often strip away. With lactose adding genuine body and a triple-hop bill of Magnum, Mosaic, and Amarillo driving aromatic depth, Pine Trail is among a small group of NA beers that can genuinely satisfy a craft beer palate.