Review: Jump Ship Yardarm Lager – Award-Winning Alcohol-Free Lager from Scotland

About the Beer

Jump Ship Brewing is an Edinburgh-based brewery specialising in alcohol-free beer, founded in 2019. Their first release, Yardarm Lager (<0.5% ABV), quickly made waves in the alcohol-free beer world. After a year of fine-tuning, Yardarm became their flagship and went on to win Best Non-Alcoholic Lager in the World at the World Beer Awards 2021.

Jump Ship brew using a process called controlled fermentation, which carefully stops yeast activity before much alcohol is produced. This keeps the beer full of flavour while staying under 0.5% ABV. Yardarm remains their bestseller and a go-to option for drinkers seeking a refreshing, alcohol-free lager.

Tasting Notes

Aroma

Opens with a clean, grainy malt character, lightly sweet with hints of fresh bread crust. There’s a touch of herbal hop in the background, giving it a balanced, inviting nose.

Appearance

Pours a bright golden yellow with lively carbonation. A fluffy white head lingers nicely, leaving some light lacing on the glass. It looks crisp and refreshing, just like a classic lager should.

Taste/mouthfeel

The first sip delivers a light, biscuity malt backbone with a subtle sweetness. The hops bring a gentle bitterness, leaning slightly herbal and grassy, which keeps things from feeling one-dimensional. Carbonation is spot on, giving the beer a crisp, bubbly texture that makes it very drinkable.

There’s a faint honey-like sweetness on the finish that some might enjoy, though I found it tipped the balance just slightly. While refreshing and satisfying, I would have liked a bit more depth and dryness to round things out.

Finish
Clean and crisp, with a soft lingering sweetness. It’s a beer that leaves you refreshed and ready for another sip.

Verdict

I went into Yardarm with high expectations after all, it’s a World Beer Awards winner and Jump Ship’s flagship. While it didn’t quite blow me away as much as I’d hoped, it’s still a very solid alcohol-free lager that I’d happily drink again.

What stands out is its balance of refreshment and subtle flavour, making it a great everyday option for lager fans. If you’re just getting into alcohol-free beers, Yardarm is a safe and enjoyable place to start.

Final Thoughts

Jump Ship Yardarm Lager shows why this Edinburgh brewery has become a leader in the alcohol-free scene. While it may not have the complexity of some newer craft AF lagers, it delivers refreshment, balance, and award-winning quality.

Have you tried Yardarm?
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