Heaps Normal Review 2026 - Taste, Ingredients & Honest Verdict

Q: Is Heaps Normal completely alcohol free?

Heaps Normal products are <0.5% ABV, classified as alcohol-free. They are not 0.0%. The trace alcohol is comparable to ripe bananas or fruit juice.

Q: How many calories are in Heaps Normal beer?

Not prominently disclosed on the UK site. Check can labels for specific products.

Q: Is Heaps Normal gluten free?

No. Products are labelled “low gluten” (<200ppm) but contain barley, oats, and wheat. Explicitly not suitable for coeliacs.

Q: Where can I buy Heaps Normal in the UK?

Online at uk.heapsnormal.com, Dry Drinker, and The Alcohol Free Co. Not in UK supermarkets. Sold in cases of 24 (£36).

Q: What does Heaps Normal taste like?

The Quiet XPA has tropical and citrus aromas with balanced bitterness and a malty finish. Another Lager is clean and simple. Half Day Hazy is fruit-forward and tropical. the XPA is the best of their range.

Q: How does Heaps Normal compare to IMPOSSIBREW?

Heaps Normal is an Australian craft AF brand focused on traditional beer flavour. IMPOSSIBREW goes further with 375mg of functional ingredients (L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, Magnesium) designed to replicate the relaxation of a real drink. If you want a craft AF pale ale, Heaps Normal’s XPA is solid. If you want the calm and wind-down of a real drink, IMPOSSIBREW is designed for that.

Quick Facts

Brand	Heaps Normal
Products Reviewed	Quiet XPA, Another Lager, Half Day Hazy
ABV	<0.5%
Calories	Not fully disclosed (check can labels)
Gluten Free	✗ (low gluten <200ppm, but contains barley, oats, wheat)
Vegan	✓
Price (approx)	£36.00 per 24-pack (~£1.50 per 375ml can)
Available	uk.heapsnormal.com, Dry Drinker, The Alcohol Free Co.
Trustpilot	No reviews

What Is Heaps Normal?

Heaps Normal is an Australian independent non-alcoholic brewery based in Marrickville, Sydney. Founded in 2019, it has become one of Australia’s leading AF beer brands and launched in the UK market with the backing of investor Robbie Williams.

The brand positions itself firmly in the craft beer space - independent, unfiltered, unpretentious. Their messaging focuses on normalising not drinking rather than positioning AF beer as a health product or compromise. The name itself - “heaps normal” - is Australian slang for “completely ordinary.”

They entered the UK in 2025 and sell primarily through their UK webshop and specialist AF retailers. Supermarket distribution has not happened yet.

Product Range (UK)

Quiet XPA - Their flagship. An extra pale ale with tropical and citrus aromas, balanced bitterness, and subtle malt sweetness. Unfiltered.

Another Lager - A classic lager for casual settings. Crisp and refreshing. The simpler product in the range.

Half Day Hazy - Hazy pale ale. Fruity, tropical, sessionable. The trendiest style in the range.

Third IPA - Hop-forward IPA. Details are limited - newer addition.

Limited releases (Fresh Orange Sour, Original Draught) appear on the Australian site but are not consistently available in the UK.

Ingredients & Brewing Process

Heaps Normal uses only four core ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. No preservatives, no additives.

The beers undergo natural fermentation, producing trace alcohol (<0.5% ABV). They are then dealcoholised while retaining craft beer complexity. The process is designed to keep the full-flavour character of the original brew.

Products are labelled “low gluten” (<200ppm per Coeliac Australia standards), but they contain barley, oats, and wheat. They are explicitly not suitable for coeliacs.

All products are vegan friendly.

Taste & Drinking Experience

Quiet XPA: - Tropical fruit and citrus on the nose - Balanced bitterness - not aggressively hoppy, not bland - Subtle malt sweetness in the finish - Unfiltered, which adds some texture - This is their best product and the one that built the brand in Australia

Another Lager: - Clean, crisp, straightforward - Less interesting than the XPA - it is a simple lager and does not pretend otherwise - Works cold on a hot day

Half Day Hazy: - Fruit-forward and tropical - Hazy mouthfeel adds body - Follows the craft hazy trend competently

Heaps Normal has no Trustpilot profile in the UK, and independent UK consumer reviews are scarce - the brand is still new here. Australian reviews are more positive, but tastes and expectations may differ across markets.

Nutrition Breakdown


	Quiet XPA	Another Lager	Half Day Hazy
ABV	<0.5%	<0.5%	<0.5%
Calories	Not fully disclosed	Not fully disclosed	Not fully disclosed
Vegan	✓	✓	✓
Gluten	Low (<200ppm)	Low (<200ppm)	Low (<200ppm)

Heaps Normal does not prominently publish full nutritional information on their UK site. This is a gap - most UK competitors clearly display calories and sugar content. You will need to check the can labels.

What Customers Say

No Trustpilot reviews exist for Heaps Normal in the UK. Feedback comes primarily from Australian consumers and UK specialist retailers:

Positive:

“Heaps Normal is why I stopped missing beer. The XPA tastes closer to a proper pale ale than most AF options.” - Australian review

“The best non-alcoholic beer I’ve tried from Australia. Wish it was easier to find in the UK.” - Dry Drinker review

Mixed:

“Decent for AF beer but not sure it justifies the shipping wait and case-only purchasing.” - UK consumer

“The lager is forgettable. The XPA is the reason to try this brand.” - beer forum

Common themes: - The Quiet XPA is the star product - UK availability is the main frustration - Having to buy 24-packs is a barrier to trying the brand - Australian brand credibility helps with craft beer enthusiasts

Pros & Cons

Pros

Quiet XPA has genuine craft beer character - tropical, balanced, enjoyable
Independent brewery with authentic craft credentials
No preservatives or additives - four ingredients only
Vegan friendly across the range
Competitive pricing at ~£1.50 per can (when buying a 24-pack)
Normalising AF beer culture - the brand ethos is appealing

Cons

Extremely limited UK availability - online only, no supermarkets
Must buy 24-packs (£36) - no smaller trial options
Nutritional information is poorly disclosed on UK site
No Trustpilot or independent UK review presence
Australian import - longer delivery, higher environmental footprint
Not suitable for coeliacs despite “low gluten” labelling
No functional ingredients - a craft beer experience, nothing more
<0.5% ABV, not 0.0%
The Lager is unremarkable - the range leans on the XPA

Who Is Heaps Normal Best For?

Heaps Normal appeals to a niche UK audience:

Craft beer enthusiasts who want something different from UK brands
XPA fans - if you like pale ales, the Quiet XPA is worth trying
Australian expats who already know the brand
People who do not mind buying online in bulk

How Does Heaps Normal Compare?

Heaps Normal is an outsider in the UK AF beer market - respected in Australia but still establishing itself here.

Lucky Saint is far more accessible in the UK with wider distribution and no minimum order.
Days Brewing offers similar craft positioning with Scottish provenance and 0.0% ABV - and is easier to buy in small quantities.
Big Drop has a wider style range and is UK-based.
Athletic Brewing is the closest comparison - another imported craft AF brand with strong home-market credentials but limited UK presence.
IMPOSSIBREW takes a fundamentally different approach. Beyond craft brewing, IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager contains 375mg of the Social Blend - L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, and Magnesium - designed to promote genuine relaxation. Heaps Normal gives you a well-brewed AF pale ale. IMPOSSIBREW gives you the feeling of having had a drink.

For UK consumers, the main question with Heaps Normal is whether the product justifies the import logistics and 24-can minimum. The XPA is good - but is it “order from Australia and buy 24 before trying one” good? That depends on how adventurous you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Heaps Normal completely alcohol free?

Heaps Normal products are <0.5% ABV, classified as alcohol-free. They are not 0.0%. The trace alcohol is comparable to ripe bananas or fruit juice.

How many calories are in Heaps Normal beer?

Not prominently disclosed on the UK site. Check can labels for specific products.

Is Heaps Normal gluten free?

No. Products are labelled “low gluten” (<200ppm) but contain barley, oats, and wheat. Explicitly not suitable for coeliacs.

Where can I buy Heaps Normal in the UK?

Online at uk.heapsnormal.com, Dry Drinker, and The Alcohol Free Co. Not in UK supermarkets. Sold in cases of 24 (£36).

What does Heaps Normal taste like?

The Quiet XPA has tropical and citrus aromas with balanced bitterness and a malty finish. Another Lager is clean and simple. Half Day Hazy is fruit-forward and tropical. the XPA is the best of their range.

How does Heaps Normal compare to IMPOSSIBREW?

Heaps Normal is an Australian craft AF brand focused on traditional beer flavour. IMPOSSIBREW goes further with 375mg of functional ingredients (L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, Magnesium) designed to replicate the relaxation of a real drink. If you want a craft AF pale ale, Heaps Normal’s XPA is solid. If you want the calm and wind-down of a real drink, IMPOSSIBREW is designed for that.

Verdict

Heaps Normal has built a strong brand in Australia and the Quiet XPA is a decent AF pale ale. The independent, no-pretence ethos is refreshing, and the four-ingredient approach is clean.

But in the UK, the practical barriers are significant. You cannot try a single can - it is 24 or nothing. There is no supermarket presence. Nutritional information is harder to find than it should be. And you are importing from the other side of the world when credible UK alternatives exist.

If you are a craft beer enthusiast willing to commit to a case, the XPA is worth trying. For everyone else, there are more accessible options closer to home - and if you want more than just taste from your AF beer, the functional category offers something none of these traditional brewers provide.

→ See our full IMPOSSIBREW vs Heaps Normal

Looking for More Than Just a Beer?

IMPOSSIBREW Enhanced Lager - the alcohol-free beer with 375mg of functional ingredients designed to help you relax. 84% of IMPOSSIBREW customers report feeling genuinely relaxed.

Shop IMPOSSIBREW

The Bottom Line

If you are looking for an alcohol-free beer that does more than just taste like beer, IMPOSSIBREW is the only option with 375mg of functional ingredients designed for relaxation. The Social Blend formula - L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, and Magnesium - is what sets it apart from every other AF beer on this page.

Impossibly Relaxing Alcohol-Free Beer

Next Generation Alcohol-Free Beer

IMPOSSIBREW®: The Enhanced Non-Alcoholic Beer designed as an alternative to full ABV beers using science-backed ingredients.

Enjoy a healthier daily wind down with the beer that matches the taste and feeling of traditional alcohol.

Keep the pleasure and ritual of drinking without worrying about your health.

Get Started

Next Generation Alcohol-Free Beer

IMPOSSIBREW®: The Enhanced Non-Alcoholic Beer designed as an alternative to full ABV beers using science-backed ingredients.

Enjoy a healthier daily wind down with the beer that matches the taste and feeling of traditional alcohol.

Keep the pleasure and ritual of drinking without worrying about your health.

Get Started

Got Questions?

Find our most commonly asked questions below or ask our AI Brewer for instant answers.

What is IMPOSSIBREW®?

IMPOSSIBREW® is a pioneering non-alcoholic beer brand based in the UK that aims to create the world's most complete alcohol alternative.

Founded by Mark Wong in 2021 and working with some of the world's best professors, scientists and expert brewers, IMPOSSIBREW® specialises in expertly crafted non-alcoholic beers designed to match full ABV beers in both taste and feeling.

Product Range

IMPOSSIBREW® offers a range of enhanced non-alcoholic beers, including:

Enhanced Lager (0.5% ABV)
Enhanced Pale Ale (0.5% ABV)
Limited Editions (Seasonal)

Key Benefits

The key feature that sets IMPOSSIBREW® apart is its proprietary "Social Blend™" - a combination of active botanical ingredients and nootropics designed to recreate the relaxing effects of alcohol without the negative side effects.

Along with record-breaking quality flavour that comes from a unique process without removing alcohol.

Social Blend™ Ingredients

Developed with leading scientists in top UK universities, Social Blend™ includes:

L-Theanine
Ashwaghanda
Soluble Plant Fibres
Vitamin B1
Various Plant Extracts.

These ingredients are chosen for their potential to boost serotonin, promote relaxation, and create a calming effect similar to the "one or two pint feeling" without hangovers.

See more details on our very own research paper, with over 1,000 participants:

More than 70% said they felt relaxed after consuming IMPOSSIBREW®.
88% have reduced alcohol consumption since discovering IMPOSSIBREW®.
95% have told a friend about IMPOSSIBREW® after trying.
3/4 say that IMPOSSIBREW® is "the most complete alcohol alternative currently available on the market today".

Recognition

IMPOSSIBREW® has received several notable achievements:

Featured on BBC's Dragons' Den
Awarded the first and only Gold Medal in the No/Low beer category from the London Beer Competition
Received multiple industry Gold awards in categories against Full-ABV beers
Most followed No/Low Alcohol brand on TikTok globally.

Mission and Vision

IMPOSSIBREW® is on a mission to redefine non-alcoholic drinking by creating better-than-alcohol alternatives for those who love beer but want to avoid the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.

The company aims to become the global leading alcohol alternative brand, focusing on helping people transition to a healthier mode of relaxation without the traditional issues and side effects of alcohol.

Production and Ingredients

IMPOSSIBREW® combines traditional brewing methods with their proprietary Social Blend™ .

The beers are made with traditional brewing ingredients such as water, malted barley, wheat, hops, and yeast, in addition to the Social Blend™ components - leveraging their unique cryogenic fermentation process, which means no alcohol is ever removed from the product - ensuring the most authentic quality taste you've come to expect.

Who is it for?

IMPOSSIBREW® caters to consumers who:

Are busy professionals and parents who would like to unwind with a drink but don't want the hangovers.
Enjoy the taste and relaxing experience of beer
Are looking for healthier alternatives to alcohol, with lower calories, carbs and sugar
Want to avoid hangovers and other negative effects of alcohol consumption
Are interested in functional beverages with potential mood-enhancing properties

By offering a unique product that aims to replicate both the taste and feeling of alcoholic beer, IMPOSSIBREW® is positioning itself at the forefront of the growing non-alcoholic beverage market.

Get Started Today

Give it a try today with our Welcome Bundle and get 2 Free Beers with your first purchase. Get it delivered straight to your door, risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

We hope you enjoy them as much as we do and we can't wait for you to try.

How does 'Social Blend™' work?

Social Blend™ is our proprietary alcohol alternative made from a blend of science-backed ingredients.

Designed to replicate the sensory and social relaxing experience of drinking, minus the headaches (and bad decisions).

Developed with Dr Paul Chazot, Bioscience Professor and Chair of Pharmacology at Durham University.

Key Components and Mechanisms

L-Theanine:
Ashwagandha Root:
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
Various nootropic herbs:

Benefits

Relaxation: The blend promotes a state of relaxation without the sedative effects typically associated with alcohol.
Mental Calm: By boosting alpha brain waves and serotonin levels, it helps maintain a calm and focused mental state.
Stress Relief: The combination of L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, and Vitamin B1 helps mitigate stress and anxiety.
Mood Enhancement: The inclusion these ingredients and other botanicals supports mood regulation and overall positive outlook.

IMPOSSIBREW®'s Social Blend™ is a carefully crafted combination of nootropic and adaptogenic ingredients designed to offer a relaxing and mood-enhancing experience without the drawbacks of alcohol. It leverages the natural properties of its components to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance mood, making it a unique alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.

(Read our latest research paper here)

Do you ship overseas?

We ship to the UK Mainland for free when you spend over £35

We aim to expand internationally soon - stay tuned!

If you have any queries, feel free to email: hello(@)impossibrew.co.uk

How long will it take to get my orders?

For UK mainland deliveries, normal orders processed here will take 1-3 business days to arrive, with an optional upgrade to Next Day Delivery available (12pm cut-off).

Delivery details will be provided in your confirmation email.

How is 0.5% ABV alcohol-free?

Yes, we know it's confusing. Isn't 0.5% ABV still alcoholic? Officially, 0.5% ABV is classified as Dealcoholised.

In fact, most things we consume daily have more than 0.5% ABV
Burger Rolls - 1.2% ABV
Orange Juice - 0.5% ABV
Ripe Banana - 0.5% ABV

After more than 2 years of research, we've found that the 0.5% ABV from our natural brewing process significantly increases both flavour and mouthfeel - without spiking your blood alcohol level (BAC).

Is it really gluten-free?

Yes, IMPOSSIBREW® Enhanced Lager is gluten-free. Even though it contains wheat and barley, our beers have been third-party tested to contain less than 10 parts per million (PPM) of gluten, which meets the criteria to be listed as, and labeled gluten-free.

Does it have alcohol tax?

No. While it is true that our beers don't contain alcohol, and thus don't incur UK alcohol duty, we'd like to highlight some factors here that might be helpful in reflecting the value we provide.

One-to-One Brewing Process: At IMPOSSIBREW, we take pride in our unique brewing techniques. Unlike other non-alcoholic beers, our products are never diluted, watered-down, or have their alcohol content removed - and some even dilute their alcoholic beers up to 5x. This means that our brewing process involves the same level of craftsmanship, time, and resources as a traditional craft beer, resulting in comparable production costs.
Effective Nootropics: In our commitment to creating the most relaxing non-alcoholic beers, we utilise only the highest quality nootropics as our active ingredients, in safe and effectives dosages. At current alcohol tax rates for a 5% ABV beer, the cost of our nootropics more than double that. Instead of contributing the amounts as tax, why not have it contribute to the product quality itself?
Small Scale Brewing: Currently, we operate on a smaller scale, which makes us less competitive than large, commercial brewers (often +10,000x our brewing size). As a growing business, we are passionate about our mission to create unique, high-quality non-alcoholic experiences, and we truly appreciate your support. As we continue to grow and expand our production capabilities, we look forward to passing on even more savings to our valued community!

At IMPOSSIBREW, we prioritise offering our customers an enhanced, premium, non-alcoholic beer experience by combining innovative brewing techniques, quality active nootropic ingredients, and award-winning taste. While our pricing may differ from other non-alcoholic competitors, we believe that the value proposition and unique experience our beers provide are well worth it.

At the end of the day, tasting is believing. So give it a try and let us know what you think - risk-free with our IMPOSSIBREW® Guarantee.

Who shouldn't drink IMPOSSIBREW®?

It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with certain medical conditions like GI disorders or hypertension, or individuals taking specific medications such as antidepressants, immunosuppressants or blood thinners. If you fall into any of these categories, it's best to consult with your doctor first.

Ashwagandha can lead to overstimulation (i.e. restlessness) if taken alongside thyroid medication.

What is your philosophy?

For thousands of years, we had only one way to unwind together. One way to let our guards down. One way to bridge the gap between who we are and who we are with others.

Not because it was perfect. But because it was all we had.

We decided that wasn't good enough.

We exist because we believe in a world where social connection doesn't demand compromise.

Where being present with others doesn't mean being absent from yourself. Where letting go doesn't mean losing control.This isn't about removing alcohol. This is about something better.

Our Social Blend™ technology isn't an accident. It's the result of questioning everything we thought we knew about social drinking. About working with scientists to understand what we're really seeking in these moments of connection. About daring to imagine something that wasn't possible before.

We believe the greatest innovations don't just solve problems - they change how we live. They make us question why we ever settled for less.

That's what we're building. Not just a drink, but a new way forward. A future where social connection comes without compromise. Where tradition meets innovation. Where science meets ritual.

This is the future of social drinking.

Got more questions?

Speak to our AI Brewer here for instant answers.

Or email us at hello@impossibrew.co.uk

Our customer support is available Monday to Friday: 9am - 5:30pm.

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