Coors Edge Non-Alcoholic Beer Review: Molson hits A Homerun with This Coors Banquet Dupe
Coors Edge hit the market in 2019 with ads all over urban centres focusing on young professionals enjoying a bar environment with a Coors Edge in their hand. As one of the first big brands to push the conversation about non-alcoholic options while socializing, it’s had staying power and still remains a top seller in grocery and convenience. Here’s what we think about it.
Table of Contents
Our Verdict
86 points overall, for being a true entry-level non-alcoholic beer that wasn’t entirely terrible, but there are better out there.
What We Liked
Coors Edge has a great flavour for a non-alcoholic beer made by a big brewery. It’s not too malty, nor too watered-down and when it's ice cold it could almost replicate a regular Coors lager (but not quite!). It tastes very similar to its alcoholic cousin, Coors Banquet, which showcases the company’s ability to make a good beer without the buzz. It’s super cheap and accessible and on a hot day, this is the one to grab over some of the other maltier options in the alcohol-free beer category.
What We Didn’t Like
As with most non-alcoholic beers, there’s a tiny bit of sweetness on the palette which is always a bit strange to experience in a beer since it’s not a usual taste in regular beer. While Coors Edge offers a satisfying drinking experience, it may fall short for beer enthusiasts seeking bold, complex flavors. Some may find the flavor a bit lighter than they'd prefer, especially if they are accustomed to the robust taste of craft beers.
What is Coors Edge?
Coors Edge is the non-alcoholic rendition of the iconic Coors Original, brewed by the Molson Coors Beverage Company. Launched in 2019, it was just ahead of the massive boom in non-alcoholic beer. Molson wanted to cater to the growing population of health-conscious and mindful drinkers. Molson wanted to make Coors Edge with the same crisp and refreshing experience as its alcoholic counterpart, minus the alcohol. This is the only Coors non-alcoholic beer.
Coors Edge Alcohol Content
A lot of people ask if Coors Edge is completely alcohol free and the answer is no. Coors Edge starts out as a regular beer, and then is dealcoholized using vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis. Although it’s technically legally considered non-alcoholic, Heineken 0.0 still contains an extremely small amount of alcohol at a maximum ABV of 0.03% (alcohol by volume). This is comparable to or at a lower level of alcohol vs. food products such as bread, bakery products, juices or bananas due to the natural fermentation of the ingredients (cereals, fruits). A regular beer has 4% ABV or more.
What Sets It Apart?
Molson actually did something pretty cool with Coors Edge. It’s uniquely double brewed, blending the taste profiles of two beers to produce similar flavors as Coors Banquet. This is what makes it taste so close to it’s alcoholic counterpart.
The interesting thing about Coors Edge is that it’s a brand that sustains itself - it has a loyal audience without a lot of marketing hype from Molson. It tastes good and has a good price tag so it’s almost like the hidden gem for non-alcoholic lagers at the grocery store.
There’s not much to complain about Coors Edge, unless you’re a huge beer snob.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Coors Edge is refreshingly light, golden straw in colour with a thick head that disappears quickly.
Aroma
Cracking the can, you get notes of corn and orchard fruit (apple or pear) on the nose, with a fresh and subtly hoppy scent.
Flavour
The aroma notes of fresh corn and orchard fruit continue on to the palette when you take your first sip. Thanks to its mild sweetness, you also get subtle balancing flavours of hearty grain and corn. It’s not bitterly hoppy like some non-alcoholic beers can be.
Mouthfeel
Coors Edge has a nice mouthfeel, similar to a Molson Canadian or other light lagers.
What foods to pair with Coors Edge
The beer’s mellow character makes it a perfect accompaniment with cheese, BBQ chicken, roast turkey, and tangy green salads.
Coors Edge vs Comparable Non-Alcoholic Beers
As mentioned above, Coors Edge is comparable to other zero alcohol beers because it tastes a little bit better than most of the other big brewery beers, with the exception of Corona Sunbrew and Guinness 0.0.
Where Can I Buy Coors Edge?
You can find Coors Edge in every grocery store in the United States and Canada. It’s one of the most accessible non-alcoholic beers in North America, and has a great price tag too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Coors Edge taste like a normal Coors beer?
Yes, Coors Edge tastes very similar to a normal Coors, specifically the popular Coors Banquet. Despite being non-alcoholic beer, the double-brewing technique means that a lot of flavour is able to be maintained during the dealcoholization process.
How many calories does Coors Edge have?
Coors Edge has a surprisingly low 41 calories per small can and only 8 grams of carbs.
Can you drink Coors Edge when pregnant?
Non-alcoholic drinks are considered harmless for pregnant women, but please check with your doctor before consuming them. Although it’s legally considered non-alcoholic there are still trace amounts of alcohol in the finished product.
Conclusion and Further Exploration
Coors Edge may not reinvent the wheel in the world of non-alcoholic beers, but it doesn't need to. What it does, it does exceptionally well. This non-alcoholic offering stays true to its roots, offering a familiar taste and experience that many have come to love in Coors Original.
While some beer enthusiasts may crave bolder flavors, Coors Edge fills a valuable niche in the market for those looking for a simple, crisp, and satisfying non-alcoholic option.