Report

Can you drink alcohol-free beer when pregnant?

By Alex Stewart

Updated 1 November 2026. Every figure links to its source below. How these pages are made.

Pregnant woman holding a glass of sparkling water — Illustrative image

Quick answerUK health bodies say the safest approach in pregnancy is no alcohol at all. Drinkaware says alcohol-free drinks, which can contain up to 0.5% alcohol, are not recommended if you are pregnant. The government found no research on whether 0.5% drinks are safe in pregnancy. Speak to your midwife or GP before drinking any of them.

What the NHS says

It's recommended that if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant you should not drink alcohol. This will keep any risk to your baby to a minimum.

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What Drinkaware says about alcohol-free drinks

Alcohol-free drinks aren’t suitable for everyone though. They may not be considered acceptable if you avoid alcohol for religious reasons, and they aren’t recommended for anyone who needs to avoid alcohol completely, if you’re pregnant, or under 18.

What the evidence says

In its 2023 consultation on alcohol-free labelling, the Department of Health and Social Care wrote: "No research was identified which examined whether 0.5% ABV products are safe to consume during pregnancy." The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says there is no "safe" level of alcohol in pregnancy.

0.5% and 0.0% are different

Many beers sold as alcohol-free in the UK are 0.5%, because the 0.05% definition in government guidance is voluntary. A 440ml can at 0.5% holds 0.22 units. Beers labelled 0.0%, such as Days, Heineken 0.0 and Guinness 0.0, are sold as containing no alcohol. Read the label, and ask your midwife.

If you drank before you knew

Women who find out they're pregnant after already having drunk in early pregnancy should avoid further drinking for the rest of their pregnancy. However, they should not worry unnecessarily, as the risks of their baby being affected are likely to be low.

What IMPOSSIBREW's own label says

IMPOSSIBREW, which publishes this site, makes 0.5% beers. Its own product pages say they are "not recommended if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or may become pregnant". The same goes for anyone on medication such as antidepressants or blood thinners.

This page summarises UK guidance. It is not medical advice.

FAQs

Is alcohol-free beer safe in pregnancy?

Drinkaware says alcohol-free drinks, which can contain up to 0.5% alcohol, are not recommended in pregnancy, and no research has examined whether 0.5% drinks are safe. Ask your midwife or GP.

Is 0.0% beer OK when pregnant?

UK guidance does not address 0.0% beer specifically. 0.0% beers are sold as containing no alcohol, but ask your midwife or GP before drinking them.

What does the NHS say about drinking in pregnancy?

That you should not drink alcohol if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Sources

All read 1 November 2026 unless stated.