As we ease into September, I can feel autumn making it’s way to our trees. The light already feels different from just a week ago.

I’ve been enjoying the hot Nebraska summer days and nights since we moved here. In particular working outside and enjoying some ice cold NA beer after yard chores or some other activity. I don’t have a lot of access to NA beer brands (Athletic Brewing was my goto when we were still in Seattle) in my small rural central Nebraska town, but compared to last year the options have opened up. Here’s my top 5 list for the beers I’ve enjoyed this summer, hopefully more brands will make it to stores here next year.

1. Run Wild IPA (Athletic Brewing Co): Just a great hoppy, crisp IPA. Not always in stores but I stock up when they appear.
2. Stella Artois Liberte: Ice cold, comes in glass bottle. Tastes like the real thing.
3. Heineken 0.0: I love ice cold glass bottled Heinekens.
4. Just the Haze IPA by Sam Adams: This one was a surprise, I never liked Sam Adams before but this has been regularly stocked and doesn’t overwhelm you with malt like the real stuff does. A crisp, lighter IPA.
5. Busch NA: Another surprise (and always stocked and cheap). These are crisp, flavorful (light bitterness a la pilsner). I keep these near freezing and am pleasantly surprised that I would be touching a Busch beer product.

In the coming months I will be shifting to Guiness NA as temps cool down.