While summertime barbecue may be the most popular time to kick back with a couple of brewskies, October has to be a close second. Oh, the seasonal beers. 

But while wine, in particular red wine, has enjoyed a halo of purported healthful benefits, beer is the red-headed stepchild of the booze family. Compared to wine, beer is associated with bigger waistlines — think “beer belly” — and an increased risk of psoriasis and gout. 

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It’s why the beer aficionado should try one of an increasing number of “near beer” varieties — a nonalcoholic beer.  

Related: Bottom Line on Booze

Research suggests several advantages to alcohol-free beer. Softer suds have the same cardiovascular benefits as the hard stuff — without courting the risk of abuse or addiction.  

Nonalcoholic beer may also reduce inflammation and even lower the risk of upper respiratory tract infection.

Unsurprisingly, German researchers have taken the lead on sussing these out. One study found that while excessive alcohol consumption actually increases the risk of thrombosis, or blood vessel clotting, so-called “fake” beer caused a significant decrease in clot creation. Nonalcoholic beer may also reduce inflammation and even lower the risk of upper respiratory tract infection. That’s good news with the winter cold season ahead.

Dr. Johannes Scherr, senior physician and lecturer at the Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at the Technical University of Munich, told LifeZette the health benefits of nonalcoholic beer are due to the “strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antipathogenic properties of polyphenols.”

Related: The Trouble with Coed Drinking

Polyphenols are plant chemicals found in many fruits and vegetables that help fight oxidation — the rust, if you will — of our cells, but glomming on to free radicals, and flushing them from our system.

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Until now, many researchers have credited ethanol, the intoxicating agent in alcoholic beverages, as the ingredient responsible for benefits such as higher HDL (good) cholesterol, lower blood pressure and decreased stroke risk. But Scherr said polyphenols such as resveratrol and other nonalcoholic byproducts of fermentation might play a larger role than previously thought.

Best of all for those who prefer six-pack abs to beer bellies, nonalcoholic beers have half the calories of alcoholic ales. So you can still have a “drink” with dinner, but without the excess calories or mind-numbing effects of an alcoholic beverage.

Related: Here’s to Bitter Health

While O’Doul’s, by Budweiser, was an obvious choice for many early on, over the years the selection at the grocery store and in restaurants has become more varied, while quality has improved.

A personal favorite of mine is Kaliber, by Guinness. Also delicious are Heineken’s Buckler, and Beck’s Bitburger.

With the latest news on alcohol consumption in general showing no net benefit to hitting the hard stuff — even in “moderation” — you might want to give near beer a try. Economically priced, lower in calories, yet satisfying as an accompaniment to a meal, or even the stale pretzel-nut-mix at your local bar, you might be surprised by how much you like them. But certainly, your wallet, and waistline, will love them.