Rating 5/10 – BottleBrief Rating System
Introduction
Harmon’s Tresette Non-Alcoholic Italian-Style Pilsner is one of the flagship offerings from Harmon’s Craft Brewing, a brewery dedicated exclusively to producing non-alcoholic craft beer that still delivers on flavour and style. Brewed in Ontario, Tresette is a dry-hopped pilsner that sits under the 0.5% ABV mark, which allows it to be marketed as non-alcoholic while maintaining enough complexity to mimic its full-strength cousins. On paper, it promises a refreshing, crisp drinking experience, crafted in the spirit of Italian pilsners, which are known for their clean malt base, golden clarity, and a pronounced hop character.
The goal of Tresette is ambitious: to create a beer that captures the qualities of European lager traditions without the effects of alcohol, and to stand out in a crowded NA market that too often delivers watery or overly sweet alternatives. This makes Tresette especially appealing for those who want the “beer experience” but without compromise to lifestyle choices, health concerns, or sobriety. For many, this makes it an easy go-to option in casual social settings or as a refreshing drink after a long day. Yet while it succeeds in many aspects, its shortcomings reveal the challenges inherent in crafting a non-alcoholic pilsner that can rival the real thing.
Eye
Visually, Tresette presents itself as a light golden beer that aligns with expectations of the style. When poured into a proper glass, its appearance is clear and bright, with a transparent golden hue that reflects light nicely. The carbonation forms a modest foam head that is clean and somewhat short-lived, not overly frothy but enough to create the sense of a proper beer pour. This restraint in foam, however, may leave traditional beer drinkers wanting a denser cap that clings to the glass.
Body-wise, it sits firmly in the medium category for an NA pilsner. It does not appear watered-down or thin when poured, which is a strength, but neither does it have the same shimmer or complexity you might expect from a top-tier Italian or German pilsner. Overall, it is attractive, straightforward, and inviting — exactly the kind of visual appeal that signals a crisp, refreshing beverage.
Nose
The nose is subtle but pleasant. The first impression is of light malt and faint grain, which sets the foundation for a clean and approachable aroma. There is no overpowering sweetness here — a common pitfall with NA beers that lean on malt sugars to replace body. Instead, Tresette delivers a delicate bouquet with soft floral and citrusy hints from the dry-hopping process.
With a deeper inhale, one picks up faint herbal and grassy undertones, echoing what you’d expect from European noble hops. While restrained, these aromas do create a sense of freshness and lightness, which works well for casual sipping. That said, the nose feels somewhat one-dimensional compared to traditional pilsners, where the interplay of malt and hops is sharper and more dynamic. It’s enjoyable, but doesn’t fully entice the drinker into anticipating layers of complexity on the palate.
Palate
On the palate, Tresette walks a fine line between balance and thinness. The malt backbone is mild, offering a light grain sweetness without becoming cloying. This is complemented by a gentle hop bitterness that is crisp but not aggressive. The balance creates a drinkable, refreshing beer, particularly for those seeking an easy NA option. However, the trade-off is that the flavour profile feels somewhat muted, lacking the punch and depth of a traditional pilsner.
The mouthfeel is light to medium, leaning toward the thinner side. This contributes to its crispness but also highlights the absence of weight that alcohol typically provides. The carbonation is appropriate, giving the beer a lively character that lifts the flavours slightly. The hop bite is noticeable enough to provide contrast to the malt, but doesn’t linger in a way that builds complexity. For those seeking something refreshing, it works. For those wanting to close their eyes and imagine a full-strength Italian pilsner, it might feel like a half-finished sketch.
Finish
The finish is clean and short-to-medium in length. Immediately after swallowing, a crisp bitterness lingers momentarily before fading into a soft, neutral aftertaste. There’s a subtle grassy hop echo that hangs on briefly, but it dissipates quickly, leaving the palate refreshed but not fully satisfied.
This brevity can be seen as both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, the lack of heavy malt or lingering sweetness makes it refreshing and easy to reach for another sip. On the other, it also means that the beer lacks memorability — it doesn’t evolve as it sits on the palate, and the aftertaste doesn’t invite contemplation in the way a more complex pilsner might.
Conclusion
Tresette is a respectable attempt at crafting a non-alcoholic Italian-style pilsner. Its greatest strengths are its balance, clarity, and drinkability. For casual occasions where refreshment is the primary goal, it delivers well above the level of many mass-market NA lagers. However, for enthusiasts who know and love the pilsner style in its full-strength form, Tresette may feel like it doesn’t fully land the experience it promises.
Ultimately, this beer is best thought of as a situational beverage: ideal for social gatherings, daytime drinking, or moments when you want something light, crisp, and guilt-free. It succeeds in giving you the feeling of a beer, even if it doesn’t provide the depth of flavour you might be craving. At a 5/10, it sits firmly in the “good” category — a beer that won’t wow you, but one that you won’t regret trying.
Summary
Category: Non-Alcoholic Pilsner
ABV: 0.5%
Eye: light golden, clear, modest foam, medium body
Nose: light malt, faint grain, subtle hops, clean, mild floral/citrusy hint, herbal, grassy
Taste: mild malt, gentle sweetness, modest bitterness, crisp hop bite, thin mouthfeel, balanced but lean
Finish: clean, short to medium, slightly hoppy bitterness, minimal aftertaste, refreshing but fleeting
History and Fun Facts
Harmon’s Craft Brewing is a Canadian brewery with a unique mission: to focus exclusively on non-alcoholic craft beers. Founded on the idea that consumers should not have to compromise on flavour when choosing NA options, Harmon’s has built a lineup that includes a variety of styles — from hazy IPAs to dark beers — all crafted to sit under the 0.5% ABV threshold. Tresette is one of their standouts, inspired by Italian-style pilsners and marketed as a clean, refreshing option for beer lovers who want both flavour and balance without alcohol.
The “Italian-Style Pilsner” is itself a relatively modern twist on the traditional German pilsner. Developed in Italy in the late 20th century, this style emphasizes dry-hopping to enhance aromatic qualities, often giving the beer floral, herbal, or citrus notes that distinguish it from its German counterpart. Harmon’s adaptation of this style into the non-alcoholic category is both a nod to European brewing traditions and an experiment in modern craft innovation.
From a nutritional perspective, Tresette is vegan and contains about 60 calories per 355ml can, with 14g of carbohydrates and 7g of sugar. It also clocks in at 27 IBU, which is relatively assertive for an NA beer, reflecting Harmon’s commitment to making beers that don’t shy away from bitterness or hop presence. For those interested in numbers, that IBU rating places it in the range of many traditional lagers, which helps it stand out in a field of otherwise bland NA options.
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of Harmon’s is their community-driven approach. As part of a growing movement in North America toward mindful drinking, their products fill a niche for craft-minded consumers who want authentic beer experiences without alcohol. Tresette, in particular, embodies this mission, serving as both a nod to Italian brewing heritage and a symbol of the evolving NA craft beer landscape.