Brune DMC by Below Brew Co – A Bold Alcohol-Free Take on a Belgian Classic

Belgium’s Brune ales are known for their dark, malty richness—and now there’s a way to enjoy that signature style without the alcohol. Below Brew Co’s Brune DMC is an alcohol-free tribute to this iconic beer, delivering complexity, depth, and full-bodied flavour at just 0.5% ABV.

About Below Brew Co

Below Brew Co., formerly known as Lowtide Beer, is a UK-based craft brewery founded by Rob and Dave—two friends determined to make low-alcohol beers that taste just as good as the real thing. After launching in 2020 with a limited 1,000-can run that sold out instantly, they’ve been gaining attention in the alcohol-free craft beer world ever since.

In 2024, they rebranded to Below Brew Co., aiming for cleaner business growth and a sharper identity. Since then, they’ve continued to innovate, with Brune DMC being a standout in their growing range.

Introducing Brune DMC – Non-Alcoholic Belgian Brune Ale

Brune DMC is Below Brew Co’s alcohol-free interpretation of the Belgian Brune ale style a dark ale traditionally brewed by Trappist monks and known for its malty sweetness, toffee notes, and deep reddish-brown hue.

Classic examples like Leffe Brune set the benchmark, so the big question is: can a 0.5% beer live up to that legacy?

Let’s find out.

Brune DMC – Belgium Brown Ale Review

I reviewed Brune DMC using three key categories: Aroma, Appearance, and Drinkability.

Aroma

Brune DMC opens with a lively, hoppy aroma, underscored by warm notes of cereal, coffee, and dates. It’s inviting and immediately gives off a handcrafted feel. 

Appearance

It pours beautifully, forming a sustained head with a rich, dark reddish-brown colour that glows in the glass. Visually, it delivers exactly what you’d expect from a classic Brune ale. 

Taste

This is where Brune DMC shines. The taste is complex, malty, and hop-forward, echoing the aroma with layers of toffee, roasted grains, coffee, and dried fruit. There’s a gentle bitterness in the finish that’s true to style, giving it that authentic Brune edge.

Despite being alcohol-free, the mouthfeel is full and satisfying. If you didn’t already know it was a non-alcoholic beer, you’d likely be surprised.

Final Thoughts

I’ll admit—I’m usually not a big fan of this style due to its typically higher alcohol content, but Brune DMC might have changed that. It’s flavourful, complex, and genuinely enjoyable, with none of the compromises you might expect from an alcohol-free beer.

Does it do justice to the Belgian Brune tradition? Absolutely. And more impressively, it makes that tradition accessible to everyone.

I look forward to trying more from Below Brew Co.