Names to look for on labels
- non-alcoholic beer
- alcohol free beer
- de-alcoholised beer
- dealcoholised beer
- 0.0% beer
What to do
Look for a halal logo, a "vegan" label, or a stated plant source on the pack. If none of these are present, you can contact the manufacturer and ask for the source.
More about alcohol-free beer
Alcohol-free beer is made either by brewing in a way that stops fermentation early, or by brewing normal beer and then removing the alcohol by vacuum distillation or membrane filtration.
A trace of alcohol usually remains. In the UK, 'alcohol-free' means up to 0.05 per cent alcohol by volume, 'de-alcoholised' up to 0.5 per cent, and 'low alcohol' up to 1.2 per cent.
Is alcohol-free beer vegetarian or vegan?
Not always. Alcohol-free beer can be made from plant or animal sources, and labels rarely say which. A vegetarian or vegan label on the pack confirms a plant or synthetic source.
Why we classify it this way
Doubtful Alcohol-free beer is made like beer and usually keeps a trace of alcohol (in the UK, "alcohol-free" can mean up to 0.05% and "de-alcoholised" up to 0.5%). Scholars differ on whether a non-intoxicating trace is acceptable. Doubtful.
Basis: Scholars differ. Recognised scholars or schools reach different conclusions. We show each view and do not present one as the only one.
Different views
| View | Result | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stricter view | Haram | A small quantity of something that intoxicates in a large quantity is not permitted (the principle in the fatwa adopted by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy on foods containing wine). |
| More permissive view | Halal | A non-intoxicating trace left by brewing is not the same as an intoxicant. We have not cited a source for this view here. |
References
- Resolution No. 210 (6/22): Transmutation and Dilution of Additives in Food and Medication, International Islamic Fiqh Academy (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), 22 March 2015. Defines istihalah as a complete change into a different substance and says a partial change does not make a defiled substance pure. Adopts a 1995 IOMS fatwa that allows a slight amount of alcohol as a solvent for colours and preservatives, and alcohol on the skin, but says foods containing wine are not permitted even in a small ratio. Pig fat and pig rennet are prohibited; rennet from a correctly slaughtered animal is permitted; most participants hold rennet from an animal that was not slaughtered impure while some disagree; rennet made by genetic engineering is permitted. Pig heparin only under necessity. Gelatin was referred for further study with no ruling.
Classification audited 3 November 2026. It has not been reviewed by a scholar. How classifications work · Suggest a correction
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Frequently asked questions
Is alcohol-free beer halal?
Alcohol-free beer is doubtful (mushbooh). Alcohol-free beer is made like beer and usually keeps a trace of alcohol (in the UK, "alcohol-free" can mean up to 0.05% and "de-alcoholised" up to 0.5%). Scholars differ on whether a non-intoxicating trace is acceptable. Doubtful.
Where does alcohol-free beer come from?
Beer brewed to stay low in alcohol, or beer with the alcohol removed.
Is alcohol-free beer vegetarian or vegan?
Not always. Alcohol-free beer can be made from plant or animal sources, and labels rarely say which. A vegetarian or vegan label on the pack confirms a plant or synthetic source.