Best AF Beer at M&S: Dave's Guide to Alcohol-Free Drinks
Right, M&S. Not where I usually grab my weekly shop, let's be honest. But when I fancy feeling a bit posh about not having a pint, it's where I head. Their AF section always feels a bit more- curated, like they've actually thought about it, not just thrown a few tins on a shelf.
M&S has a proper decent, albeit smaller, range of alcohol-free beers. It's less about choice and more about quality here, with some solid M&S own-brand options alongside a few well-known premium names. Perfect for when you're picking up a fancy sarnie or a nice bit of steak and want a proper drink to go with it.
Best AF Beers to Buy
M&S - Low Alcohol Pale Ale
Decent for an own-brand. Not gonna blow your socks off but it's a solid, reliable pale ale. Good with a posh M&S dine-in meal, this.
Lucky Saint - Lager 0.5%
Always a winner, this. Crisp, clean, proper lager taste. If you're after something dependable that tastes like a proper pint, you can't go wrong here.
Guinness - 0.0 Stout
A proper dark one for when you fancy something a bit different. Creamy head, malty taste. It's Guinness, but without the headache. Spot on.
Erdinger - Alkoholfrei Wheat Beer
German classic, this. Brewed as an AF from the start, so it tastes spot on. A refreshing wheat beer, perfect after a long parkrun, even if M&S isn't on the route.
Big Drop - Paradiso Citra IPA
Big Drop always delivers. This IPA's got a proper zesty kick, loads of flavour for a zero percent. A good shout if you're bored of lagers.
Peroni - Nastro Azzurro 0.0%
Another solid lager choice. Light, refreshing, exactly what you expect from Peroni, just without the booze. Good for a warm evening, sitting in the garden.
Tips for AF Beer Shopping at M&S
- Check the chilled section in the food hall, often alongside the other premium drinks.
- Don't expect a massive range- M&S focuses on quality over quantity for AF beers.
- Look out for M&S own-brand options- they're usually a reliable and good value choice.
- Consider it a 'treat' shop- M&S prices are a bit higher, but the quality often justifies it.
Let's be honest, M&S isn't exactly budget central, is it? You're paying for quality. Best bet is to keep an eye out for any multi-buy offers, especially on their own-brand stuff, or just accept you're splashing out a bit for a treat. It's worth it for a proper good brew.
How It Compares
Compared to your Tescos or Sainsburys, M&S isn't going to win on sheer volume of choice or rock-bottom prices. What it does offer is a really well-chosen, premium selection. You won't find twenty different budget lagers, but what you do find is usually top-notch. It's like comparing a greasy spoon to a proper gastropub-sarnie-shop. Both have their place, but M&S is where you go when you want something a bit special, a bit of a treat. The quality control feels higher, even on their own labels. So, if you're after a quick grab-and-go with a focus on quality, M&S is a solid bet, even if it means paying a quid or two more.
Common Questions
Why bother buying AF beer from M&S when other supermarkets have more choice?
Aye, it's a fair question, that. The thing with M&S is they've got a different angle. While your big supermarkets pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap, M&S curates. It's not about having every single AF lager under the sun. It's about having a smaller, but generally higher quality, selection. You'll find brands that have made a name for themselves for flavour, not just for being booze-free. Plus, there's something about grabbing a decent AF beer from a M&S food hall that just feels a bit more like a proper treat. It's about the experience, the quality of the surrounding grub, and knowing you're getting something that's had a bit of thought put into it. It's a nice change from the usual.
Are M&S own-brand alcohol-free beers actually any good, or just a cheap option?
Nah, they're definitely not just a cheap option, mate. M&S has a reputation for quality across all its own-brand food and drink, and their AF beers are no different. I've tried their pale ale and it's a solid contender. It's well-balanced, tastes like a proper beer, and doesn't have that watery, slightly off flavour you sometimes get with cheaper alternatives. They're usually pretty decent value for the quality too, especially compared to some of the bigger name craft AFs. I reckon they put a bit more effort into getting the flavour profile right, probably because they know their customers expect a certain standard. So yeah, don't shy away from the M&S label, they're usually a safe bet.
Is it really worth paying a bit extra for alcohol-free beer from M&S?
Right, this is where it gets a bit personal, isn't it? If you're just after the cheapest AF pint to quench a thirst, then no, probably not. But if you're after an experience, a bit of a treat, or something that genuinely feels like a proper craft beer without the booze, then absolutely, yes. M&S isn't about volume, it's about quality. You're paying for that curated selection, for brands that have truly nailed the AF brewing process, and for the overall 'fancy' feeling of shopping there. Sometimes, you just want to feel like you're having a proper grown-up drink with your posh M&S dinner, and for that, it's definitely worth the extra quid or two. It's not for every day, but it's great for those special non-drinking moments.
So, M&S. It's not your everyday AF beer haunt, is it? But when you want to feel a bit fancy, a bit discerning, it absolutely hits the spot. Their curated range means you're usually getting quality, even if the choice is smaller. It's where you go for a proper 'treat yourself' moment, especially with a decent M&S dine-in. You won't find my go-to IMPOSSIBREW Triple Hopped IPA on their shelves, more's the pity, as that stuff rivals some proper boozy Vocation brews. But for that, you can always nip online to their site and use my code DAVE10 for a tenner off your first order. For M&S in-store though? Solid, if a bit pricey, for a quality AF brew. (order IMPOSSIBREW online - readers get £10 off)