Apple Beer
Apple Beer is a non-alcoholic, caffeine-free soft drink with a distinctive foamy head, featuring a refreshing green apple flavor blended with natural spices, and is produced using all-natural ingredients such as purified carbonated water, pure cane sugar, citric acid, Sicilian apples, herbs, and vitamin C.[1][2][3] Originating from the German tradition of fassbrause—a barrel-brewed, beer-like beverage dating back over 100 years in Germany[4]—it was introduced to the United States in the 1960s by Larry Stillman, a college student who obtained the recipe during travels abroad and began producing it in Utah's Rocky Mountains starting in 1964.[2][3] Crafted by the family-owned SodaBeers Brewing Co. in Salt Lake City since its inception, Apple Beer is trademarked and remains a regional staple, particularly popular among teetotalers, children, and as a mixer due to its light, non-overwhelming sweetness and unique effervescence.[2][3] The beverage is available in 12-ounce cans and long-necked bottles, with distribution primarily along Utah's Wasatch Front and select locations in the western United States, as well as internationally in places like Curaçao, Guyana, and Bermuda.[1][3] SodaBeers has expanded the line to include variants such as the lower-calorie Apple Beer FIVE, alongside other flavors like ginger beer and root beer, and the company has earned 12 Best of State awards in Utah, including recognition as the state's best product in 2020.[2][5]History
Origins in Germany
Fassbrause, the precursor to Apple Beer, originated in Berlin, Germany, in 1908 when chemist Ludwig Scholvien developed a non-alcoholic beverage to serve as a beer alternative for his young son.[4] Scholvien aimed to replicate the color, foam, and refreshing taste of beer without alcohol, creating a family-friendly option during an era of growing temperance sentiments in Europe.[6] The invention addressed the demand for a suitable drink for children and non-drinkers in beer-centric German culture, where such alternatives were scarce.[7] Scholvien's original recipe, produced under Scholvien & Co., featured a natural concentrate of apple and licorice extracts blended with carbonated water and sugar to evoke beer's malty profile and golden hue.[8] This formulation avoided fermentation, relying instead on fruit essences for a subtle, fermented-like tang and effervescence that mimicked a foamy head when poured.[9] The name "Fassbrause," meaning "barrel spritzer," reflected its initial production and storage in wooden kegs, distributed fresh to local taverns and households.[10] By the early 20th century, Fassbrause gained popularity across Germany, particularly in Berlin and northern regions, as an accessible, non-intoxicating refreshment for all ages during social gatherings and festivals.[4] Its appeal lay in the balance of fruity apple notes and herbal undertones from licorice, making it a staple in a nation where beer dominated adult beverages. This traditional recipe from Scholvien & Co. later served as the basis for adaptations in international markets, including the United States.[11]Introduction in the United States
In the early 1960s, American entrepreneur Larry Stillman, while living in Germany, discovered the traditional non-alcoholic beverage known as fassbrause, a foamy apple-flavored soft drink developed in Berlin by chemist Ludwig Scholvien as an alcohol-free alternative using fruit extracts including apple, natural herbs, and spices.[12][13] Inspired by its unique profile, Stillman secured the rights to the recipe and imported it to the United States, aiming to introduce it to communities in the Intermountain West where demand for non-alcoholic options was high among teetotalers and non-drinking families.[3][2] Apple Beer was officially launched in 1964 in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Stillman and his family, marking the founding of what would become The Apple Beer Corporation (operating as SodaBeers Brewing Co.).[13] The initial production capitalized on the post-Prohibition era's lingering preference for alcohol-free beverages, particularly in Utah's cultural context, where it quickly gained traction as a refreshing soda for social gatherings, parties, and family events.[12][3] Early marketing positioned Apple Beer as "the soft drink with a head," highlighting its beer-like foam and crisp apple taste to appeal to beer enthusiasts seeking a non-alcoholic substitute, while emphasizing its natural ingredients and gourmet quality.[2][12] It was first packaged in steel cans, which facilitated distribution through independent grocers and local restaurants along the Wasatch Front, leading to rapid adoption in Utah by the mid-1960s as the state's original gourmet soda.[13]Company Evolution
Since its founding in 1964 by Larry Stillman in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company behind Apple Beer has operated as a family-owned enterprise, evolving from a single-product bottler to a broader craft soda producer while upholding its core traditions. Initially established as The Apple Beer Corporation, the business focused on introducing the German-inspired fassbrause-style beverage to the American market, with production centered in the Rocky Mountains region. Over the decades, it has sustained local employment in Salt Lake City, contributing to the regional economy as a small-scale manufacturer; for instance, by 2014, it employed approximately five staff members alongside family involvement, bucking larger industry trends toward consolidation.[13] In the 2010s, The Apple Beer Corporation transitioned to operating under SodaBeers Brewing Co., reflecting an expansion into a family of non-alcoholic craft sodas including ginger, root, and butterscotch varieties, all while remaining under family control for more than 60 years. This rebranding emphasized artisanal production and natural ingredients, aligning with growing consumer interest in premium, alcohol-free alternatives. Key milestones include the introduction of cans in 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary and 14 consecutive Best of State awards as Utah's best beverage as of 2024, including a win for overall product excellence in 2020.[5][14][13] The company has navigated challenges through adaptive strategies, such as shifting to glass bottles in the 1990s to better preserve the beverage's natural flavor and crispness, followed by broader distribution including soda fountains and online sales in the 2000s. Following Larry Stillman's death in 2019, his daughter Ashley Simmons assumed ownership in the early 2020s, positioning SodaBeers as a women-led business, with Simmons emphasizing education on the product's non-alcoholic nature to counter misconceptions. The firm has leaned into "Utah's Own" branding to foster local pride, as evidenced by its membership in the Utah's Own program, which promotes homegrown products.[13][14][2][15][16] Throughout its evolution, SodaBeers Brewing Co. has committed to the original 1964 recipe, using pure cane sugar and natural flavors without compromising quality, even as it expanded facilities to meet demand in the Rocky Mountains area. This dedication to tradition, combined with innovations like the sugar-free Apple Beer 5 variant, has ensured the company's longevity as a Utah staple, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024 with continued family stewardship.[14][5]Product Characteristics
Flavor Profile and Appearance
Apple Beer offers a crisp, fruity apple flavor reminiscent of fresh green apples, balanced with subtle herbal and spice notes derived from its roots in the German Fassbrause tradition, providing a non-alcoholic alternative to beer without excessive sweetness.[3][2] The taste evokes a clean, tart finish that avoids cloying aftertastes, making it refreshing and distinct from typical artificially flavored apple sodas.[17][18] Visually, Apple Beer presents a delicate golden hue similar to light beer, enhanced by moderate carbonation that produces a persistent foamy head upon pouring, mimicking the appearance of a draft beer.[2] The texture is effervescent and light, with a mouthfeel that delivers a sparkling fizz and refreshing crispness, evoking the sensation of a beer without alcohol.[19][20] A key unique selling point is its designation as "the soft drink with a head," which sets it apart by combining soda-like refreshment with beer-style foam and visual appeal.[2][21] It is best served chilled to maximize its refreshing qualities and is often paired with meals in Western U.S. cuisine, such as barbecues, where its balanced tartness complements savory dishes.[22][19]Ingredients
Apple Beer is formulated with a simple set of core ingredients that contribute to its distinctive profile as a non-alcoholic soft drink. The primary components include purified carbonated water as the base, pure cane sugar for sweetness (in bottled versions since 2006), citric acid to provide tartness, natural apple and herbal flavors for the characteristic taste, and vitamin C serving as an antioxidant.[1][23][24] Bottled versions emphasize an all-natural composition with no artificial colors, preservatives, or high-fructose corn syrup, and the beverage is gluten-free with 0% alcohol by volume. Canned versions may include additional stabilizers like yucca extract for foam and preservatives like sodium benzoate, with some listings using high-fructose corn syrup.[25][24][26] This formulation aligns with its positioning as a clean, straightforward soda option, though variations exist by packaging. In terms of sourcing, the natural flavors draw from Sicilian apple essences combined with Bavarian-inspired herbs and spices, creating a blend that evokes the original German Fassbrause tradition but adapted as a malt-free soda for the U.S. market.[17][12] The recipe maintains fidelity to its 1964 adaptation of the 19th-century German formula, originally introduced in Utah, with the 2006 shift to pure cane sugar in bottled versions to meet modern U.S. regulatory standards and consumer preferences for natural ingredients.[24][2]Nutritional Profile
Apple Beer's nutritional profile reflects its status as a non-alcoholic, carbonated soft drink made with simple ingredients, providing energy primarily from natural sugars without fats or proteins. A standard 12 fl. oz. serving delivers 160 calories, with 40 grams of sugars derived from pure cane sugar (in bottled versions), 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of protein, and 5-35 mg of sodium (varying by packaging). It contains no alcohol, making it a suitable alternative to alcoholic beverages.[23][27][28] The following table summarizes key nutritional components per 12 fl. oz. serving for the regular formulation, based on available data from product analyses (as of 2025):| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 160 | - |
| Total Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Sodium | 5-35 mg | 0-1% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 40 g | 15% |
| Sugars | 40 g | - |
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
| Vitamin C | Present** | - |