Are Non Alcoholic Beers a gateway drug?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 60
Are Non Alcoholic Beers a gateway drug?
I read a review on the top non alcoholic beers on the market. Only three of those beers were rated at least a 7 on a scale of 1-10. Would drinking them just lead to me drinking real alcohol again?
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,445
My experience is I don't drink NA beer because it looked like beer, felt like a can of beer, it smelt like beer, it had that same condensation thing on the can like a beer, the same fizz and foam when you pop the can, tasted like beer (kinda)....
Then I'd wonder why I'd go out everytime and get 'real' beer.
I was still knee deep in old behaviours, and didn't even realise it.
As a former beer drinker I know it ticks all the boxes for me, and opens the door to old behaviour and old thought paterns.
I don't recommend it.
I don't need to know but iI think it's good to ask yourself why would you choose NA beer when there's so many other non alcoholic things to drink, though?
Is it really the taste of a beer you want, or are there other things happening here as well?
Having said all that, you'll find folks who'll tell you it's not - I think everyone needs to weigh it up for themselves
D
Then I'd wonder why I'd go out everytime and get 'real' beer.
I was still knee deep in old behaviours, and didn't even realise it.
As a former beer drinker I know it ticks all the boxes for me, and opens the door to old behaviour and old thought paterns.
I don't recommend it.
I don't need to know but iI think it's good to ask yourself why would you choose NA beer when there's so many other non alcoholic things to drink, though?
Is it really the taste of a beer you want, or are there other things happening here as well?
Having said all that, you'll find folks who'll tell you it's not - I think everyone needs to weigh it up for themselves
D
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
I got this !
I read a blog where a person goes out with friends and there drinking he's on fruit juice etc
Then and he put it like this in a blog
Do I drink na beer or not ? He proceeded to go shop and find out to try 1 thought it was nice
Built up a taste for them said he was drinking 9 a night no I'll effects at this point I thought it was a wind up !
He then started drinking again and I haven't heard nothing since
That's true on my soul
Take from that what you will
I read a blog where a person goes out with friends and there drinking he's on fruit juice etc
Then and he put it like this in a blog
Do I drink na beer or not ? He proceeded to go shop and find out to try 1 thought it was nice
Built up a taste for them said he was drinking 9 a night no I'll effects at this point I thought it was a wind up !
He then started drinking again and I haven't heard nothing since
That's true on my soul
Take from that what you will
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by LDT 
Uh-Oh. 
Seriously though..... This is a hot topic of debate here..... Brace yourself.
Seriously though..... This is a hot topic of debate here..... Brace yourself.
I only ask because let's say I had poker nights with the guys, or a Super Bowl party, maybe I could grab a six pack of said beer and bring that over.
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
When m out and about drinking monster energy drink I don't like it in case someone I know might be think Its a tin of somthing Isshouldn't worry about it but I do and tbh the shape of the cannis just like a tin of beer I don't do it for that I really like monster energy drinks and from now since I'm questioning it won't go near it just because of the can shape in the wrong mood it could lead to all sorts if i m not honest I'm a liar and I prefer the cold hard truth
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Yes, this is a perennial issue on SR and I'm squarely with Dee on this one. Too much risk for what is really negligible reward.
A couple months after I chose sobriety, I went to my first event where I knew people would be drinking beer. I brought Trader Joe's pomegranate green tea, which was a dead-ringer for the red-tinged beer coming out of a backyard keg. At the time, no one knew I wasn't drinking and I *still* didn't even like what looked like a beer in my hand, let alone the possibility I might grab someone's cup and drink by mistake.
Fast forward 10 months: I no longer even like the smell of beer or wine. Choose new beverages. I really think you'll be pleasantly surprised how you no longer crave the taste.
A couple months after I chose sobriety, I went to my first event where I knew people would be drinking beer. I brought Trader Joe's pomegranate green tea, which was a dead-ringer for the red-tinged beer coming out of a backyard keg. At the time, no one knew I wasn't drinking and I *still* didn't even like what looked like a beer in my hand, let alone the possibility I might grab someone's cup and drink by mistake.
Fast forward 10 months: I no longer even like the smell of beer or wine. Choose new beverages. I really think you'll be pleasantly surprised how you no longer crave the taste.
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Nutmegger
Posts: 1,799
For me sobriety has represented a shift in mentality. When I am in a social setting I am more focused on the people, conversation, food, ambience now. Having something in my hand that stirs up recollections of too many nights when all I was focused on was the glass irrespective of what else was happening seems like it would be like straddling the fence.
For me it is easier to just cut the cord. I dunno..non-alcoholic beer seems like driving by an ex-boyfriend's house…
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For me it is easier to just cut the cord. I dunno..non-alcoholic beer seems like driving by an ex-boyfriend's house…
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Grayslake, IL
Posts: 732
Its good to keep in mind that NA beers do contain alcohol, up to 0.5% ABV. Its neglegible, but its there. I thought sometime down the road I could enjoy fake beer, too, because I like the taste of beer and I thought NA meant 0%, but my recovering liver can't handle any alcohol...like, ever again.
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: usa
Posts: 3,938
Na...too risky. Same qualities but no buzz....I'd be afraid it would trigger a strong desire for the real thing that would deliver the buzz...and the acting like an idiot, the hangover, the remorse, etc, etc. Not worth it - I'll stick to something totally different. 
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: bay area
Posts: 59
Ha! I was just going to ask about the NA Bailey's coffee creamers. I almost bought one an hour ago, and I don't even like coffee creamers. I like(d) Bailey's in my coffee. Preferably with a glug of bushmills.
I put that sucker right back and walked away.
I put that sucker right back and walked away.
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 2,693
Originally Posted by bluehour
Ha! I was just going to ask about the NA Bailey's coffee creamers. I just almost bought one an hour ago, and I don't even like coffee creamers. I like(d) Bailey's in my coffee. Preferably with a glug of bushmills.
I put that sucker right back and walked away.
I put that sucker right back and walked away.
One more thought/question about N/A beer: Does it make you as fat and bloated as regular beer? I've never tried one and don't plan on it.
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
Posts: 4,064
I'd imagine that having an N/A brew probably wouldn't be ideal. Especially, for example, if you decide to buy a 6-pack and bring it home. I mean...it's pretty easy to see that's a disaster waiting to happen.
I know it's not fun to stand out in a crowd when you're out with pals, so that's probably why the N/A topic gets brought up sometimes. As for me, I rarely "go out" on weekends because as a recovering alcoholic I simply don't hang out on the bar scene. If some of my companions are drinking, I've stuck with a seltzer and lime. It's inconspicuous and it's my normal "sober drink of choice" anyway. If you can get past the awkward feeling of being the only one without a drink, you won't be bothered - and if you can't get past that awkward feeling, or feel pressured, you probably should just go home!
I know it's not fun to stand out in a crowd when you're out with pals, so that's probably why the N/A topic gets brought up sometimes. As for me, I rarely "go out" on weekends because as a recovering alcoholic I simply don't hang out on the bar scene. If some of my companions are drinking, I've stuck with a seltzer and lime. It's inconspicuous and it's my normal "sober drink of choice" anyway. If you can get past the awkward feeling of being the only one without a drink, you won't be bothered - and if you can't get past that awkward feeling, or feel pressured, you probably should just go home!
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