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Zebra striping

Zebra striping: the in-between drinks

Zebra striping is simple. One alcoholic drink, then one alcohol-free. Then repeat. Black, white, black, white. Like a zebra. Or a Newcastle shirt.

You still go out. You still get the round in. You just halve what you drink without anyone noticing, and you wake up feeling a whole lot better.

The trick is having an in-between drink you actually want. That's where we come in: crisp lagers, juicy pales and ciders that sit happily next to a pint. Mix any 6 and save 5%, up to 15% for 24.

Zebra striping: a pint of lager next to Fierce Beer Cerveza alcohol free Mexican lager on black and white stripes, with Kev peeking in

Lager and pils

Crisp, cold and easy. The perfect stripe.

See all
Athletic AF alcohol free lager in a 355ml can
Athletic Brewing Athletic AFLight lager · 355ml can
0.5% ABV
£3.50
Below Brew Forgot To Take My Pils alcohol free pilsner in a 440ml can
Below Brew Forgot To Take My PilsHoppy keller pilsner · 440ml can
0.5% ABVVegan
£4.50
Fierce Beer 1983 alcohol free lager in a 440ml can
Fierce Beer 1983Golden lager · 440ml can
0.5% ABVVegan
£4.50
Burnside Wayfinder alcohol free lager in a 330ml bottle
Burnside Brewery Burnside WayfinderLager · 330ml bottle
0.5% ABVVegan
£3.50

IPA and pale ale

For when the real pint is an IPA too.

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Mash Gang Journey Juice alcohol free fruited IPA in a 440ml can
Mash Gang Journey JuiceFruited hazy IPA · 440ml can
0.5% ABVVegan
£4.50
Below Brew The Cosmic Turtle alcohol free NEIPA in a 440ml can
Below Brew The Cosmic TurtleNew England IPA · 440ml can
0.5% ABVVegan
£4.50
Athletic Upside Dawn alcohol free golden ale in a 355ml can
Athletic Brewing Athletic Upside DawnGolden ale · 355ml can
0.5% ABVGluten freeVegan
£3.50
Mash Gang Chug alcohol free hazy pale ale in a 330ml can
Mash Gang ChugHazy pale ale · 330ml can
0.5% ABVVegan
£3.50

Cider

Apple-crisp and refreshing.

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Chance Clean alcohol free apple cider in a 330ml bottle
Chance CleanApple cider · 330ml
0.5% ABVGluten freeVegan
£3.50

Stock the fridge for the stripes.

Any 6 drinks get 5% off, 12 get 10%, 24 get 15%.

Build a beer box
Kev's guide

What is zebra striping?

Zebra striping means alternating your drinks. One with alcohol, then one without. Then repeat.

It's the easiest way to cut down without changing your social life. You still go to the pub. You still get the round in. You just drink half the alcohol over the night.

Why it works

Most of us don't drink because we're desperate for the alcohol. We drink because there's a glass in our hand, and an empty glass gets refilled.

Zebra striping keeps the glass full. You slow the night down, you stay sharper, and the next morning is a lot kinder. Like Groundhog Day, but the version where you've actually learnt something.

How to stripe

At the pub

Order your alcohol-free one straight after your first pint, before the night gets going. Plenty of pubs have an alcohol-free beer in the fridge now. Lime and soda works in a pinch.

At a party

Bring your own. Turn up with a box of something good, pop it in the fridge, and you're sorted for the night.

At home

Having a few at home? Keep alcohol-free cans in the fridge next to the regular ones. If they're colder, they'll get picked first.

The best drinks for stripes

You want something that sits happily next to a pint. Crisp, cold and easy.

Below Brew Forgot To Take My Pils is a crisp, citrusy pilsner that's so drinkable you might forget it's alcohol free. Fierce Beer 1983 is a golden lager cold-conditioned for a crisp finish.

Prefer something lighter? Athletic Upside Dawn is a golden ale at just 45 calories, and it's gluten free and vegan too.

Browse all our alcohol-free lager and cider.

Make it cheaper

Mix any 6 drinks and get 5% off, 12 for 10%, 24 for 15%. If you know you're a beer person, build a beer box and keep the fridge stocked for the stripes.

Cut down, zebra stripe or stop

Zebra striping is one way to find your balance. It's not about giving up. It's about drinking in a way that suits you.

One life. Enjoy it.

From the Free Spirit Journal

See all
Zebra striping: the lazy genius way to drink less Zebra striping: the lazy genius way to drink less Drink half as much, feel twice as good on Sunday, and nobody notices. Zebra striping is the laziest genius idea going. Kev · 2 min read Read it What is zebra striping? (And why it might turn you into a runner) What is zebra striping? (And why it might turn you into a runner) It sounds like a 1980s hairstyle. It's actually the easiest way to drink less without giving anything up. Warning: may lead to... Kev · 2 min read Read it The best alcohol-free lagers to zebra stripe with (warm lemonade need not apply) The best alcohol-free lagers to zebra stripe with (warm lemonade need not apply) Warm lemonade isn't a stripe, it's a punishment. The best crisp, cold alcohol-free lagers to sit next to your pint. Kev · 1 min read Read it How to zebra stripe at a wedding (and still remember the first dance) How to zebra stripe at a wedding (and still remember the first dance) Free bar, long day, a DJ stuck in 2004 and a best man on a mission. How to zebra stripe at a... Kev · 1 min read Read it

Good questions

What is zebra striping?

Alternating alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks on a night out or at home. One of each, then repeat. You drink less without missing out.

Will people notice?

Not if you don't want them to. Plenty of alcohol-free lagers and pales look and taste like the real thing, and nobody's checking the label on your can.

How does the deal work?

Mix any 6 drinks and get 5% off, 12 for 10%, 24 for 15%. It comes off automatically in your cart.