Non-alcoholic beer, cider and wine in Nova Scotia: a Dry January guide

If you're doing Dry January, cutting back, or hosting friends who don't drink, a good non-alcoholic beer or cider makes it easy. This guide covers the non-alcoholic beer, cider and wine on our shelves, starting with the Nova Scotia makers, and how to get it delivered the same day in Halifax and across HRM.

Non-alcoholic beverages have their own section of the fridge at both stores, with a variety of styles and plenty of choice. For alcohol-free gin, rum and other spirits, see our non-alcoholic spirits guide. This one is about the fridge: beer, cider and wine.

What counts as non-alcoholic beer?

Non-alcoholic beer usually has 0.5% alcohol or less, and some are 0.0%. Most are brewed like regular beer from malted barley, hops, yeast and water, then the alcohol is removed or kept low from the start. Tatamagouche Brewing, for example, brews its Nomad beers at full strength and then runs them through a membrane that separates out the alcohol, so the beer keeps its body, flavour and hop character.

Today's non-alcoholic beers have real flavour and cover every style: crisp lagers and pilsners, hazy IPAs, red ales, sours and even a rich oatmeal stout. Many are vegan, and many are low in calories. The number on the can tells you the alcohol content, so check it if 0.0% matters to you.

Non-alcoholic beer from Nova Scotia

Some of the best non-alcoholic beer in our fridges is brewed close to home, and Halifax shoppers have a good selection of low-calorie options from local craft breweries. These four Nova Scotia breweries all make an alcohol-free beer we carry.

• Propeller Brewing, a long-time Nova Scotia craft brewery, makes an NA Lager and an NA Hazy IPA with juicy tropical fruit aromas.
• Tatamagouche Brewing, on Nova Scotia's North Shore, makes its Nomad line in a pilsner and an IPA.
• Nine Locks Brewing has brewed in Dartmouth since 2016, and it's named for the nine locks of the Shubenacadie Canal.
• Big Spruce Brewing brews on its certified organic farm in Cape Breton. Cereal Thriller has notes of fresh coffee and dark chocolate.

Propeller BrewingNA Hazy IPANew England style, juicy and tropical. 0.5% ABV.Shop →

Non-alcoholic beer by style

If you know what you like in a regular beer, start with the same style. Here's where we'd point you.

Two Canadian breweries focus on non-alcoholic beer. Partake Brewing started with its IPA, brewed from just water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Sober Carpenter is a microbrewery that makes only non-alcoholic craft beer, from blonde ale and Irish red to a double dry hopped hazy IPA.

Non-alcoholic cider made in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia apples make a crisp, refreshing cider, with or without the alcohol, and two local cideries make alcohol-free versions we carry.

Lake City Cider makes its cider right on Portland Street in Dartmouth, a short walk from our Dartmouth store, and we love having a neighbour's cider in our fridges. Its non-alcoholic cider is vegan, gluten-free and has no added sugar. Bulwark makes craft cider with flavours from Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley; its Winter cider is lovely warmed gently on the stove.

Non-alcoholic wine for the holidays and January

Non-alcoholic wine has come a long way, sweet or dry, still or sparkling. Most are made as full wines first, then the alcohol is gently removed, so a Sauvignon Blanc still smells like Sauvignon Blanc. A few, like Piquette Zero, are crafted as wine-style drinks from the start.

Benjamin Bridge is Nova Scotia's sparkling wine house in the Gaspereau Valley, and its Piquette Zero has zesty notes of bergamot, key lime, yuzu and blood orange. Oddbird Sparkling Rosé is a dry French blend of Chardonnay and Syrah, aged 12 months before the alcohol is removed. DIVIN began in 2018 in the Loire Valley, and Edenvale Hearth is a mulled wine that also makes a good base for sangria.

Mocktails and non-alcoholic spirits for parties

Ready-to-drink mocktails are the easiest non-alcoholic beverages for a party: chill the cans, then pour over ice. Sobrii Zero Paloma has sweet agave and grapefruit flavour with a little spice and a hint of smoke, with 0 sugar. Two Bears, from Vancouver, makes its non-alcoholic Espresso Martini with real hot-brewed coffee, lightly sweetened with no added sugar. To mix your own with non-alcoholic spirits like gin and rum, our spirits guide has a refreshing gin and tonic, step by step.

How do you plan a Dry January?

Dry January is a month-long break from alcohol. The easiest way through it is to replace your usual drink rather than just remove it.

1. Match your usual drink. If you reach for a lager, try a non-alcoholic lager; if it's a glass of red, try a dealcoholized red or a sparkling rosé.
2. Stock the fridge before January 1. A mixed case of cans to share means there's always something cold when you'd usually pour a drink.
3. Try a few styles. Buy singles first, then go back for four-packs of the ones you like.
4. Have something for every moment. Beer for the game, cider for dinner, a sparkling wine for a toast, and kombucha or prebiotic soda for weeknights.
5. Plan for parties. Bring your own non-alcoholic beverages, mix a few mocktails, or order for same-day delivery.

Replace the drink, keep the ritual: a cold can, a good glass, a reason to toast.

Beyond beer and wine, mocktails in a can from our ready-to-drink range, kombucha from makers like Connected Craft Beverages, and prebiotic sodas round out an alcohol-free fridge.

Non-alcoholic beer, Halifax delivery and pickup

Hosting on short notice? Luminate Express delivers non-alcoholic beverages in Halifax and across HRM the same day. Order by 11 am for delivery between 2:30 and 6 pm, or choose pickup at either store, usually ready within two hours. Delivery fees run $8.99 to $27.99 by zone, and delivery is free over $100 in zones 1 to 3 and over $125 in zones 4 and 5. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free; fridge items are local delivery and pickup only.

Questions we get a lot

Where can I buy non-alcoholic beer in Halifax?

At both Luminate stores, 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, and online with same-day delivery across HRM. We carry Nova Scotia breweries like Propeller, Tatamagouche, Nine Locks and Big Spruce alongside Canadian non-alcoholic breweries.

Does non-alcoholic beer have any alcohol?

Most non-alcoholic beer has 0.5% alcohol or less, and some are 0.0%. Lake City's non-alcoholic cider is 0.4%. The alcohol content is printed on every can, so check it if you need 0.0%.

Is there non-alcoholic beer made in Nova Scotia?

Yes. Propeller NA Lager and NA Hazy, Tatamagouche's Nomad Pilsner and IPA, Nine Locks Dirty Blonde AF from Dartmouth and Big Spruce Cereal Thriller from Cape Breton are all brewed in Nova Scotia.

What's a good non-alcoholic wine for a dinner party?

For a toast in place of Champagne, a dry sparkling rosé like Oddbird or Benjamin Bridge Piquette Zero. With fish or goat cheese, DIVIN Sauvignon Blanc. On a cold night, Edenvale Hearth, warmed like mulled wine.

What's the difference between non-alcoholic and low-alcohol?

Non-alcoholic beverages usually have 0.5% alcohol or less. Low-alcohol drinks have a little more, like ONES Sparkling Rosé at 1%. The label always shows the number.

Can I get non-alcoholic beverages delivered the same day in Halifax?

Yes, anywhere Luminate Express delivers in HRM. Order by 11 am for delivery between 2:30 and 6 pm.

Find non-alcoholic drinks at Luminate

Our selection of non-alcoholic beer, cider and wine is at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. Browse non-alcoholic beer, cider and wine and wine alternatives online, or see our non-alcoholic shop. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup.

This article is general information. Check each label for alcohol content, ingredients and allergens.