Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn Review: Crisp, Balanced & Highly Drinkable

Founded in 2017 by Bill Shufelt and John Walker, Athletic Brewing Co. has become one of the leading names in the alcohol-free craft beer movement. Built around the idea that non-alcoholic beer should taste just as satisfying as traditional craft beer, the brewery has helped push the category into the mainstream with a range of modern, hop-forward styles designed for everyday drinking.

One of Athletic Brewing’s best-known beers is Upside Dawn Golden Ale, an alcohol-free pale ale brewed with English and American malts alongside a blend of traditional American hops. At just 0.5% ABV, it’s designed to offer the familiar character of a classic craft ale while remaining light, crisp, and easy to drink. Since its launch, Upside Dawn has become a staple of the brewery’s core range and a popular introduction to alcohol-free beer for many drinkers exploring low-ABV options.

Tasting Notes 

Aroma

The aroma is fairly subtle but pleasant, with light malt sweetness, gentle grain notes, and a hint of citrus from the hops. There’s a clean freshness to it that feels approachable and easy-going rather than aggressively hop-forward.

Appearance

Pouring a bright golden colour with good clarity, Upside Dawn develops a surprisingly lively white head that sticks around well. The carbonation gives the beer an energetic look in the glass, making it feel much closer to a traditional craft pale ale than many alcohol-free alternatives.

Taste & Mouthfeel

Upside Dawn delivers a smooth and balanced flavour profile built around light biscuit malt character and soft oat undertones. The hop presence is restrained but effective, adding subtle citrus and earthy bitterness that keeps everything crisp and refreshing.

One of the standout features here is the mouthfeel. Many alcohol-free beers struggle to recreate the texture of full-strength craft beer, but Athletic Brewing does a solid job. The carbonation adds a pleasant bite, while the oats help give the beer a fuller body and rounded texture that coats the mouth nicely without becoming heavy.

It’s an incredibly easy beer to drink and feels well suited to warm weather, casual evenings, or as an everyday fridge staple.

Final Verdict

Athletic Brewing’s Upside Dawn Golden Ale is a polished and highly drinkable alcohol-free pale ale that focuses on balance rather than boldness. It may not be the most adventurous AF beer on the market, but that’s also part of its appeal. Instead of chasing huge hop flavours or experimental styles, it delivers a clean, refreshing craft beer experience that feels reliable and approachable.

The impressive mouthfeel and smooth malt character help it stand out from many competitors in the alcohol-free space, making it easy to see why Upside Dawn has become one of Athletic Brewing’s flagship beers.

If you’re looking for an easy-drinking alcohol-free craft beer that works in almost any situation, this is definitely one worth trying.

Tried Upside Dawn yourself? Drop a comment below and let us know what you thought — and don’t forget to explore more alcohol-free beer reviews here at ModestDrinker.com!