Iranian Non-Alcoholic Beer

In Iran, there is a strict ban on the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Due to Islamic religious rules, the production, distribution, and consumption of alcohol are prohibited in Iran (with the exception of very limited situations permitted by law). This has led to the development of a market for non-alcoholic beers in the country.

A typical non-alcoholic beer in Western style usually contains less than 0.5% alcohol. In Iran, the standards are very strict, and you can find beers with zero alcohol content.

Popular Brands of Iranian Non-Alcoholic Beers

Several well-known brands of non-alcoholic beers exist in Iran, gaining popularity due to their availability and variety of flavors. Some of the most popular include:

• Hey Day – one of the most famous Iranian brands. It offers both a classic non-alcoholic lager and fruity flavors such as peach, apple, or lemon.
• Istak – another significant brand, considered a pioneer in non-alcoholic beer production in Iran. Istak also offers various versions, including fruity flavors as well as a classic basic version without added aromas.
• Argo (Iranian Pale Ale) – a less widespread brand that aims to mimic the Western IPA style, but completely alcohol-free (honestly, it tastes exactly like Hey Day non-alcoholic beer 😢).

Availability and Price of Non-Alcoholic Beer in Iran

Non-alcoholic beer can be commonly purchased in supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, or street stalls in Iran. The price may vary depending on the brand, place of purchase, and type of packaging. It is usually an affordable drink. A bottle of Hey Day and Argo non-alcoholic beer cost me a total of 700,000 IRR (0.80 EUR) in an Iranian supermarket.

My Experience with Iranian Non-Alcoholic Beer

I had the opportunity to try two brands of Iranian non-alcoholic beer without fruity flavors. These were the popular Hey Day brand and the lesser-known Argo IPA (Iranian Pale Ale). In terms of taste, these beers can be compared to very basic Czech non-alcoholic beers. Both non-alcoholic beers had a sweet taste and were very similar (I had much higher expectations from Argo, given the IPA label). Overall, the impression was more akin to simpler beers without any distinctive flavor profile (and non-alcoholic beers can be great – for example, Krystus from the Clock brewery, which I consider the best non-alcoholic beer ever).

Have you had the chance to try Iranian non-alcoholic beer? What did you think of it?

Cheers!