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Two canned nitro stouts — one from the century-spanning house of Guinness, the other from Athletic Brewing’s rising non-alcoholic portfolio — have landed within weeks of each other, reshaping choices for anyone skipping alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day. The match-up matters now because Athletic’s new release arrived in February 2026 as a limited run, putting fresh pressure on the established Guinness 0 in a fast-growing NA market.
Purchase and where to find them
Guinness 0 is widely stocked across supermarkets, bars and online retailers worldwide. At the time of testing, a four-pack of 14.9-ounce cans retailed for about $9.99 at my local Kroger. It’s labeled non-alcoholic but contains up to 0.5% ABV — a detail that some shoppers watch closely.
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Nitro Emerald Cliffs is sold directly through Athletic Brewing’s website and was available only while supplies lasted after its February 2026 rollout. A six-pack ranged roughly from $10.99 to $14.99 depending on membership pricing. Athletic’s run is reportedly moving quickly; if you want it for a holiday gathering, ordering sooner is prudent.
- Availability: Guinness — broad retail distribution; Athletic — direct-to-consumer, limited release.
- Price: Guinness ~ $9.99 (4-pack); Athletic $10.99–$14.99 (6-pack).
- ABV: Both labeled NA but under 0.5% ABV.
How Athletic’s nitro was built
Athletic’s canned nitro represents a relatively new technical step for the Connecticut brewery. The company spent more than a year and a half refining a nitro recipe and converted parts of its facility so cans could be infused with the proper nitrogen-to-CO2 balance. The goal: recreate the signature silkiness and dense head you expect from nitrogenated stouts without relying on a widgeted can.
The beer, named Nitro Emerald Cliffs, emphasizes roasted barley, coffee and chocolate notes with a measured bitterness. Athletic encourages a vigorous, straight-at-the-glass pour — a “hard pour” — to activate the nitrogen delivery without a widget, a nod to experimentation in the NA space.
Guinness 0 in context
The Guinness approach to nitrogen goes back decades and has influenced how nitro pours are perceived worldwide. Production of a non-alcoholic version involves cold-filtering or dealcoholization of the classic stout base to retain those roasted and chocolate-forward flavors while removing most alcohol. Over many years Guinness evolved tools and techniques — from early nitrogen taps through the introduction of the modern widget — to deliver the small bubbles and creamy head now so often associated with the brand.
Tasting notes — Nitro Emerald Cliffs
The Emerald Cliffs pour is visually lively: a dramatic bloom of light foam breaking over a dark body that settles to a thin, persistent cap. Aromas lean toward cocoa and a faint forest-like woodiness.
Flavor opens on a sharper, coffee-led bitterness that initially feels less restrained than the brewery’s tasting notes suggest. A noticeable hoppy tone provided backbone and tempered the sweetness, while cocoa emerged in the finish. Texturally, the nitro effect is present but lighter than expected — it offers silkiness, yet lacks the heavy mouth-coating weight some nitro stouts deliver.
Tasting notes — Guinness 0
The classic Guinness cascade presents consistently: a steady fall of foam that remains dense and substantial minutes after the pour. I used a 45-degree pour for a more traditional presentation.
Guinness 0 showed a sweeter edge at first, with black coffee and chocolate notes that felt smoother and less bitter than Athletic’s offering. Where Emerald Cliffs surprised with a bright bitterness, Guinness played more in the familiar, chocolate-forward register. On the palate the two were closer in perceived weight than I anticipated, with Guinness slightly more comforting and less provocative.
Quick comparison
- Head and pour: Guinness produces a denser, longer-lasting foam; Athletic’s pour is more theatrical but settles thinner.
- Aroma and flavor: Athletic — woodsy, cocoa and sharper coffee bitterness; Guinness — rounder chocolate and smoother coffee notes.
- Mouthfeel: Both deliver a creamy nitro sensation, though neither felt as heavy as some traditional draft nitros.
Final read — why this matters to drinkers
For consumers choosing NA options, this pairing highlights two distinct strategies: one rooted in a long-established nitro tradition, the other pushing technical innovation and novel serving rituals. Both demonstrate how quickly the non-alcoholic segment is maturing — from basic replacements to beers that invite deliberate tasting.
My personal takeaway: Emerald Cliffs is the more curious, conversation-starting pour — it rewards attention and invites repeat sips to unpack its contrasts. Guinness 0 is steadier and more familiar, delivering the flavor profile fans expect from a nitrogenated stout. They are close enough in substance that preference will come down to whether you prize novelty and ceremony or faithful continuity.
Note: Some impressions here were formed from a paid sample and promotional material provided by the producers; tasting observations reflect direct sampling under controlled conditions.
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