While alkohol-frei Erdinger and market stalwart Becks are widely available, few city centre pubs offer much in the way of variety to the non-alcoholic beer drinker. Asking the question so you don’t have to, Brian Dungan hit the streets and asked the city’s hostelries “Have you got anything non-alcoholic?”
PETER’S PUB
A non-alcoholic beer must legally contain no more that 0.5% ABV. Ironically, this is also the probability of finding a decent one in a Dublin pub, but Peter’s Pub at Johnson’s Place is leading the charge for change. Boasting two non-alcoholic beers in it’s impressive bottled beer selection you can take your pick of a 33cl Holsten or 50cl Paulaner weissbier. Nestled near the rear of the Stephen’s Green Centre, Peter’s Pub is a cosy city boozer. It’s popularity, size and location occasionally mean it’s punters end up spilling out onto the street. Still, one of Dublin’s best kept secrets.
THE CLARENDON
With a non-alcoholic beer still setting you back an average of €5 the least you can expect is a decent beverage, and The Clarendon serves only the cream of the crop. While both are weissbiers the 50cl alkohol-frei Erdinger and it’s market rival, Paulaner, are largely recognised as the best of the non-alco bunch, and both are available here. With its glass facade jutting onto Clarendon Street it appears imposing, but once inside it’s surprisingly warm and welcoming. A magnet for the after-work and lunchtime crowd, The Clarendon’s patio area is the perfect spot for watching the city go by.
DAKOTA
While not the eye-brow raiser it once was, asking for a non-alcoholic beer can still send even the most experienced bar staff on a frenzied search through the back fridges. Not so at Dakota. With a clientele that changes by the minute Dakota offers only one non-alcoholic beer on its menu, but it’s the Paulaner so we’ll forgive them. What the bar lacks in choice however, it easily makes up for in atmosphere. Whether you’re snuggled into one of its voluminous booths or sitting outside people-spotting on South Frederick Street it’s tough to match Dakota for sheer personality.
SAMSARA
With weissbiers starting to corner the non-alcoholic market, Samsara on Dawson Street is putting up a resistance, offering the teetotaller two lagers. Much maligned but still the most widely available of the non-alcoholic beers, the 33cl Becks sits alongside a 33cl Bavaria in the Samsara fridge. Like everything else at Samsara however, they’re not cheap, with the Bavaria setting you back €5.50. But the clientele here don’t seem to care. In a commendable two-fingered salute to the “Big R” Samsara still plays host to Dublin’s monied masses, with a late bar from Thursday to Saturday. Go. Because you’re worth it.
THE FOGGY DEW
Saturday afternoon. The shopping’s done. The match is on. But you’ve got the car. What to do? Head to the Foggy Dew on Dame Street. On entering one of Dublin’s most charming pubs, it immediately feels like your local. And with the choice of the 50cl Erdinger or the 33cl Holsten driving home won’t be a problem. I know what you’re thinking, but once it’s in the glass no one knows the difference but you. And even then it’s hard to tell. Go on, do it. The hard part’s over. I’ve already asked the question, so you don’t have to.
This article appeared in the March 2010 issue of The Dubliner magazine
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