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(Tom Holland / Courtesy BERO)
American Craft Beer was quick to dismiss the staying power of the growing Non-Alcoholic Beer sector and we couldn’t have been more wrong…
The market for non-alcoholic beer grew steadily in 2024 as concerns about alcohol consumption’s effects on health, along with the increasing popularity of wellness and fitness trends, fueled the growing demand.
But so is the fact that buzz-free beers have just gotten so much more delicious, so much so that some consumers are surprised to learn that they’re actually drinking a non-alcoholic beverage. They can be that convincing.
And new brewing innovations are the reason…
Traditional methods of producing non-alcoholic beer often involved boiling off the alcohol, which unfortunately also removed much of the beer’s flavor and aroma. This process frequently resulted in a flat, watery beverage. Another method was to stop the fermentation process early, but this often led to a lack of depth and complexity in the beer.
(Courtesy Partake Brewing)
Modern techniques, however, are revolutionizing the production of non-alcoholic beer. One of the most notable advancements is vacuum distillation, which removes alcohol at lower temperatures, preserving the beer’s essential flavors and aromas. Another technique is reverse osmosis, where alcohol is filtered out while retaining the water, flavor compounds, and aromatic substances.
In 2024, Athletic Brewing became the number one non-alcoholic beer brand by sales in US grocery stores, easily surpassing majors like Heineken and Budweiser and last year saw Large beer manufacturers and craft breweries alike investing in non-alcoholic options.
Everyone wants in on Athletic Brewing’s action. The Milford, Connecticut- based brewer, which only crafts buzz-free beer was named the 10th biggest craft beer producer by the Brewers Association in 2023. A reality that would have been unthinkable a decade earlier
Major craft breweries like Firestone Walker and celebrities like Spiderman Actor Tom Holland come out with their own non-alcoholic beer brands in 2024.
(Courtesy BERO)
Holland’s BERO is a direct reflection of its founder’s lived experience and outlook on life, that taps into Holland’s philosophy that well-being is holistic.
“After two years on my sobriety journey, I wanted to create something that reflected my lifestyle and values,” said Holland….
And in October Firestone Walker introduced its first buzz-free beer as part of its bestselling 805 line.
“We have been tinkering with NA offerings in one form or another for a while in our own taprooms, said Firestone Walker brewmaster Matt Brynildson. It’s simply part of a well-rounded portfolio.”
“8ZERO5 fits perfectly into the 805 brand family and was the most logical space for us to put our version of an NA,” Brynildson added. “It’s not hop forward, it’s most definitely of ale origins and fits comfortably into the 805 world.”
(Courtesy Firtestone Walker Brewing)
Cutting-edge craft brewers are now focusing on enhancing the flavor profile of non-alcoholic beers, experimenting with a variety of hops, malts, and adjuncts to create rich, full-bodied beers that stand with in the alcohol sector. The use of dry-hopping, where hops are added post-fermentation, has become popular to intensify the aroma and flavor without increasing alcohol content.
Some breweries are incorporating natural flavors and ingredients such as fruits, spices, and herbs to add complexity and nuance to their non-alcoholic offerings.
Back in the day the non-alcoholic beer choices were basically limited to simple lagers. But in 2024 the possibilities were almost unlimited, and that improved quality has not gone unnoticed by consumers.
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