The rise of alcohol-free beer in recent years has been spectacular. EU member states produced a total of 1.7 billion litres of beer with less than 0.5% alcohol or no alcohol content, an increase of almost 20%. A total of 33.1 billion alcoholic beers were produced. That means that 5.13% of the total beer produced in the EU is 0.0 beer.
The production of alcohol-free beer increased by only 3%, which makes it clear what the trend is. Alcohol-free beer has carved a huge niche in the hearts (and stomachs) of Europeans. These data comes directly from the European Statistical Office, better known as Eurostat. However, at The Blue Dolphin Store we are very happy. The rise of alcohol-free beer is unstoppable.
The Facts: The spectacular rise of alcohol-free beer
According to a recent article in the Wiley Drug Alcohol Review, Between 2013 and 2019, the sold production volume in the EU increased from 0.59 to 1.38 billion litres, the value from 0.42 to 1.28 billion EUR and value per litre from 0.72 to 0.93 EUR/L. In 2019, the share of non‐alcoholic beer represented 3.8% of all beer volume and 4.1% of all beer value produced.
Five countries accounted for 80.8% of sold production volume: Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Czechia. The Netherlands and Germany were the largest exporters, while importing was distributed more equally. Per capita, average apparent consumption (2017–2019) was highest in Czechia, followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Luxembourg and Germany.
A Bright Future
In 2020, data from market research firm Fact.MR unveiled that the global market for non-alcoholic beers is scheduled to grow at a positive CAGR of 7% between 2019 and 2027. By the end of the forecast period, the non-alcoholic beers market will be worth more than $28 billion (€25.4 billion), it said.
In May of this year, AB InBev said it is ‘off track’ in reaching its goal that 20% of its beer volume would be non-alcoholic and low-alcohol by 2025, chief sustainability officer Ezgi Barcenas said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Therefore, the rise of alcohol-free beer is undeniable.
Which non-alcoholic beer to choose?
The dilemma is which one to choose: we currently have a wide range of non-alcoholic beers in our catalogue. There are fresh and light blondes like Clausthaler Lemon, a non-alcoholic beer with lemon that contains about 60% fewer calories than any similar drink (31 kcal/100 ml). Bitter and dense beers like Clausthaler Dry Hopped.
Now that we know that alcohol-free beer won’t be noticeable in our waistlines, open the fridge and have that cold beer. And not only beer, if you like non-alcoholic wines or alcohol-free sparkling wine, check the calories of each product on our website, and have that glass, or glasses, without feeling guilty. Neither your health nor your figure will suffer with alcohol-free drinks.
