Kinnegar "Low Tide" Pale Ale

All the character of craft beer. Just 1% ABV. A smarter way to keep the session going.
Kinnegar Low Tide is proof that a low-alcohol beer doesn't have to mean compromising on flavour. Brewed in County Donegal by Kinnegar Brewing, this traditionally fermented pale ale was created specifically for beer lovers who want to keep the alcohol down without stepping away from the character, freshness, and craftsmanship of proper beer.

At just 1% ABV, Low Tide occupies a fascinating space between conventional beer and alcohol-free alternatives. Kinnegar deliberately chose not to rely on de-alcoholisation or simply stop fermentation early. Instead, the brewery went back to the brewing process itself, experimenting with malt, yeast, mashing, sparging, and fermentation techniques to create a beer that could naturally achieve a very low alcohol level while still tasting like beer. It took multiple pilot batches to get right — and that attention to detail is noticeable in the finished product.

The result is a pale, crisp and refreshing beer with a light malt backbone and a restrained dose of American hops. Fresh citrus and subtle pine notes rise from the glass, while gentle tropical fruit adds another layer of character. The bitterness is deliberately modest, keeping the beer clean and approachable, but there is enough hop presence to prevent it from feeling thin or watery.

Interestingly, Low Tide was originally brewed at just 0.5% ABV. Kinnegar later increased it to 1% because that small amount of additional alcohol gave the beer noticeably better mouthfeel and, importantly, enough body to carry the hops. It is a tiny number on the label, but a significant difference in the glass.

For beer lovers in Ireland, Low Tide is therefore much more than an alternative for those avoiding alcohol. It is a genuinely well-crafted low-alcohol beer that can be enjoyed when you are driving, pacing a long evening, taking a break between stronger beers, or simply looking after your alcohol intake without giving up the pleasure of a properly brewed pint.

Why we love it:
Low Tide succeeds because Kinnegar treats low alcohol as a brewing challenge rather than a shortcut. It has the freshness and hop character of a proper pale ale, but with only 1% ABV. Citrus, light tropical fruit, and subtle pine sit over a delicate malt backbone, while crisp carbonation keeps everything refreshing. It is exactly the sort of beer that lets you extend a session without feeling like you've switched to a soft drink.