Acid reflux and its symptoms hurt.
Unfortunately, some beers can easily cause these symptoms more than others.
Either way, you’re looking for a low-acid beer that won’t cause heartburn or acid reflux as easily.
Keep reading, as this article contains a list of the least acidic beers.
Acidity
The mash pH is the most critical variable in an all-grain brewing process.
At a pH of 7, distilled water is close to neutral.
City water is typically slightly more alkaline than water from other sources.
Lighter malt is not as acidic as darker malt, so adjusting lighter beers to a pH of 5.2-5.6 is necessary.
Related Reading: Why Put Salt In Beer? – Learn About It Here.
What Causes Heartburn, GERD, and Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux happens when the lower esophageal valve is too weak or loose.
When you have acid reflux, you might get heartburn.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic acid reflux with more severe symptoms.
Usually, a sphincter or valve closes tight behind it when food goes through the esophagus and into the stomach.
Acid reflux happens when the valve in the esophagus relaxes and lets stomach acid back into the food pipe.
Here are some foods that often cause acid reflux and heartburn:
- Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and pineapple are all citrus fruits.
- Tomatoes, tomato sauce, and foods like pizza, spaghetti, chili, and salsa that use them.
- Onions
- Chocolate and Coffee
- Cheese
- Peppermint
- Hot foods
Least Acidic Beer
If some beers can make heartburn, GERD, and acid reflux worse, are there any other drinks you should drink instead?
Lagers made with barley malt are the least acidic.
Phosphates are acidic buffers, and malted barley has them.
When mixing barley malt with water to make a mash, the phosphate buffers will reach their natural pH between 5.2 and 5.4. Pale malt, Pilsner malt, Vienna malt, Munich malt, and mild ale malt are all barley malt.
Compared to 100% base malt grist mixed with distilled water, which has a pH between 5.6 and 5.8, this has a pH of 5.6.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
The best beer for acid reflux is the Samuel Adams Boston Lager, a well-known barley lager that tastes great.
Not only does the lager taste great, but it will also help your gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The Samuel Adams Boston Lager is made with two-row barley and German Noble hops, which makes it a unique, complicated, but tasty beer.
You will taste the slightly sweet flavor with hints of honey and caramel and the citrusy bitterness from the hops.
The alcohol by volume is 5%, and the finish is dry.
Related Reading: How Acidic Is Beer? – Learn About It Here.
Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell is made with pilsner-style malts, which are recommended for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease and are seen as one of the best pilsners right now.
It was first made in 1842 in Plzen, Czech Republic, and beer drinkers still like it.
Pilsner Urquell is a Bohemian-style beer that tastes great and has notes of caramel, lemon, bread, and flowers.
The natural carbonation in this thirst quencher makes it refreshing, so this pilsner is an excellent choice for hot days.
It has 4.5 percent alcohol, and a unique Czech style makes it stand out.
Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale from Sierra Nevada
Other beers can help with heartburn and reflux besides barley lagers.
You can also try a tasty barleywine like the Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale.
The well-known Sierra Nevada makes this barley wine, so you can expect it to be good.
The beer came out in 1983 and has become a cult favorite among people who like barleywine ales.
It has a strong body and a strong flavor similar to that of wine.
Also, the beer ages very well, so you can try new flavors without worrying about your health. The beer has an ABV of 9.6%.
Old Fog Horn by Anchor Brewing Company
Anchor Brewing Company’s Old Fog Horn is the best barleywine ale on our list.
It’s a good choice for people with acid reflux who want to drink less alcohol because it only has 3.94 percent ABV.
They made the first batch of ale in 1975, which they made the same way as British ales.
Three batches of all-malt mashes are used to make the beer.
It is a very hoppy ale made with top-fermenting ale yeast and then given bubbles like champagne through a process called “bunching.”
Related Reading: Beer Alcohol Percentages. – Read About It Here
Heater Allen Pils
Pilsners are fantastic at not making your acid reflux worse, and the Heater Allen Pils is another excellent choice.
The ABV of the American pilsner is 5%, and it tastes like cereal, grass, and hops.
Even though it is an American pilsner, it is based on the Pilsner Urquell, so it is made in the traditional Czech style.
This includes letting the beer lager for at least eight weeks, which gives you a rich, malty brew that is mostly pilsner.
There’s also a hint of bitter hoppiness on your tongue after swallowing.
The Pivo Pilsner from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co. is well-known among beer fans, so you can be sure its pilsner is excellent.
The Italian-style pilsner is a good choice for people who don’t like beer acid and has tasty hints of lemongrass and spices.
The 5.3% ABV drink is a dry-hopped Italian pils with a strong hop flavor.
Both the smell and taste of the beer have a floral note. This pilsner is also one of the best for people with acid reflux.
Third Coast Old Ale from Bell’s Brewery
Third Coast Old Ale from Bell’s Brewery is a popular alcoholic drink that won’t give you acid reflux.
Those who like ales with a bitter taste will love the barley wine.
It is made by a brewery in Michigan that is famous for its IPAs and craft beers.
You can smell caramel, rye, or bourbon in the Third Coast Old Ale, which is a great combination.
It also looks hazy and is a dark red color.
You can expect a complex taste of dark fruit, bread, and hoppiness that slowly fades after you swallow.
The alcohol by volume is 10.2%.
Insanity by Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
Suppose you want to drink alcohol that won’t worsen your acid reflux.
In that case, the Weyerbacher Brewing Co. Insanity barleywine is an excellent choice.
This well-known brewery is known for making many different kinds of beer, especially ones that have been aged in barrels.
Before it was called Insanity, this beer was called Blithering Idiot. It looked dark brown and cloudy.
It smells like bananas, nuts, and bubblegum, which will please your nose.
The taste matches the smell and is refined from being aged in barrels.
The beer is a more traditional barley wine with an ABV of 11.1%.
Related Reading: High Calorie Beers. – Check Them out Here
Final Thoughts
Though these beers are the least acidic, that does not guarantee that they won’t give you acid reflux.
You still need to know your body best; they are only your best choices to reduce the chance of getting heartburn.
It is still best to learn more from your doctor or bring some medicine when you drink.