Alcohol-free beers continue to gain popularity
Alcohol-free beers are becoming increasingly popular in Belgium, according to figures from several supermarkets. The trend is confirmed by the Professional Association of Belgian Brewers.
Belgians have been drinking less beer for 20 years but the alternatives have been gaining popularity. Supermarket Delhaize saw a 40 per cent increase in volume sales of alcohol-free beer in the first six months of this year compared to the first half of 2023. Since January, the chain has sold a total of 6 million non-alcoholic beers.
At Colruyt, one customer in three opts for an alcohol-free drink, up from one in five. To meet the demand, the chain recently launched a non-alcoholic variant of its Cara lager.
According to Krishan Maudgal, CEO of Belgian Brewers, both supply and demand are rising at the same time. Consumption patterns are changing, and brewers' technology is always improving.
"Alcohol-free beer used to be ordinary lager from which the alcohol was evaporated. That was quite tasteless," he said. "Now there are innovations via membrane filtration or alternatives to yeast that allow you to preserve the flavour of a beer."
ABInbev’s alcohol-free Jupiler © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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