Texas Select - Non-Alcoholic Brew Review
I’ve seen this beer on the shelves everywhere I go in Texas, but it took Sober October to prompt me to try it. Texas Select Non-alcoholic Brew is considered America’s oldest NA beer and it was first brewed in our hometown of San Antonio, Texas, in 1970. After some success worldwide in markets starved for non-alcoholic beers, Texas Select began its American distribution in 1981.
If you live in Texas (and likely other places) you’ve certainly seen this NA lager around, but you may have been reluctant to try it, as I was. But never fear, that’s why you’re here, to read our reviews, and select your beer.
Enough rhyming, let’s drink.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Straw-colored, clear, and topped with a persistent cream-colored head. Hints of green shine in the light, and it looks light and effervescent.
On the Nose--Malty and light. Classic lager aroma with a mild hop spice.
On the Palate--Light- to medium-bodied, the maltiness on the nose drifts into the first sip. A gentle spiced apple flavor follows on the tail of the malt with a cider-like presence. Texas Select is effervescent and clean with a little bite on the tongue we expect from our lagers. It finishes quite dry and its lightness prepares the drinker for another sip.
Final Thoughts:
The internet is divided on this beer but, honestly, I think it’s quite decent for a non-alcoholic lager. It has a similar taste and look to many mass-market lagers, which isn’t everyone’s taste, but it is the truth about this beer. It’s light on the tongue, malty, and with the slightest hint of spiced apple. Texas Select is only 58 calories for those looking to keep it booze-free and healthy. It is also quite inexpensive (about $8.50) which may be enough to sway some people searching for help to defeat those beer cravings, which this beer does. One important thing to note is Texas Select does a fair job of avoiding that off-putting flavor prevalent in so many NA beers. It remains refreshing, light, and clean, while not trying to cover too many errors up, which is often how many NA beers taste.
If you don’t mind the flavor of a lighter beer akin to a mass market lager, or if you’re looking for something inexpensive to cut the beer craving, give Texas Select a try. I know it won’t be everyone’s go to, but NA beers can be expensive and often a risk. Texas Select is light and pretty straightforward. It leaves the frills behind, and I think that’s what makes it an all right non-alcoholic beer. If you have no fuss about NA beers, it won’t give you any.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew