Beers with benefits

Love beer, but hate the hangover? Well fear not, because a new trio of alcohol-free craft beers have launched in the UK and what’s more, they deliver positive, wellness enhancing benefits with every sip.

Fungtn harnesses the ancient wisdom of medicinal mushrooms – or myco adaptogens – which are a class of fungi known for their health benefits. The vegan and gluten free collection includes an IPA brewed with Lion’s Mane; a Citra Beer with Reishi; and a lager brewed with Chaga.

Fungtn (0.5% ABV, RRP £3.20)  has been created  for a new wave of mindful drinkers who are not only looking for alternatives that mimic the taste of alcohol, but also deliver functional benefits. Adaptogenic mushrooms have been used in medicine for thousands of years. They are known for their properties in  helping the body adapt to environmental and psychological stresses, restoring homeostasis – or balance, while also supporting the immune system, the endocrine system and providing functional benefits in our everyday diets.

The starchiness of medicinal mushroom extracts also enhances the depth and body of the beer without the need for additives that are commonly added to non-alcoholic beers. Adding myco adaptogens results in a fuller viscosity and classic beer mouth-feel, with a distinctive earthy, nutty profile that is brought out in the non-alcoholic brewing process.

Beers with benefits: Meet the Fungtn Range.

Lion’s Mane IPA. 0.5% ABV. 330ml RRP: £3.20

Tasting Notes: 

An earthy yet light IPA with notes of hay and caramel and a delicate bitter undertone from the Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Gentle carbonation with a cloudy  finish.

Lion’s Mane Myco Adaptogenic benefits:

Lion’s Mane high triterpene content has shown to increase the body’s synthesis of NGF (Nerve Growth factor),  which protects brain neurons from free radical damage and supports natural growth and repair. Not only does Lion’s Mane help protect the brain, it can also help support cognitive function, focus and the nervous system.

Chaga Lager. 0.5% ABV. 330ml RRP: £3.20

Tasting Notes: 

A dark, European style lager with chocolate undertones. Crisp and refreshing with a full body mouth feel from the Chaga and a toasted malt finish.

Changa’s Myco Adaptogenic benefits:

Chaga mushrooms are high in a compound called Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), which has shown to act as an  antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, protecting the body from harmful free radicals. It has long been renowned in Eastern medicine  for its role in activating the immune system and keeping blood sugar levels to a natural equilibrium.

Reishi Citra Beer. 0.5% ABV. 330ml RRP: £3.20

Tasting Notes: 

A cloudy  and juicy citra beer with notes of tropical fruits and pineapple on the nose. The bittersweetness of the hops pairs perfectly with the naturally bitter Reishi mushroom.

Reishi’s Myco Adaptogenic benefits:

Known as the  ‘Mushroom of immortality’ it has been used in China and Northern Europe for centuries to help reduce the signs of aging.  Reishi’s impressive polysaccharide content , in particular Beta Glucans, help activate and support the body’s natural immune response. Many studies show significant, positive effects on the endocrine system, which balances hormones and, in turn, improves overall bodily functions.

Fungtn was brought to fruition during the 2020 lockdown by mindful drinking consultant Zoey Henderson. Having  discovered medicinal mushrooms whilst on a trip to California, Zoey has been fascinated with the fantastic fungi ever since, taking them in her daily smoothie or coffee.  Having had the idea for Fungtn for over a year, it wasn’t until the lockdown that she found the time to turn the green shoot of an idea into a reality.

Commenting on the launch of Fungtn, founder Zoey Henderson said:

“Myco adaptogens are a natural solution to the stressful modern living. The fungi kingdom is fascinating and in these stressful, anxious times, they can help protect our bodies, as well as enhance mood and overall wellbeing.

“Fungtn is a vegan, gluten-free and hangover free way of enjoying the ceremony of an ice-cold craft beer at the end of busy day, whilst also benefiting from the fungi as a natural solution to combat the stresses of our hectic modern lives”.

Fungtn launched from 20th October 2020 and is now available to order  from https://www.fungtn.com/.

Tried & Tested

We tried & tested the three beers and absolutely loved them. We all had our favourites as they all had very different flavours but the verdict was that we would definitley drink them again as they made a refreshing change from tradtitional alcohol-free beers.