Is it blaspheme for a craft beer website to talk about a non-alcoholic beer trend?
While both terms have the word beer in them; they are nearly complete opposites of each other. But many are predicting that these non-beer beers will increase in popularity over the next few years. Could that happen and what impact would it have on craft beer?
Non-alcoholic beer represents 0.3% of the overall beer market in the USA. This is a tiny percent which shows that this form of beer hasn’t captured the attention of most beer drinkers.
Because let’s be honest, historically, people have consumed beer because it is alcoholic. Brands like O’Douls just seemed like a weird drink that didn’t make any sense. But times are changing, more people are focused on their overall health as well as safety.
Which means there is room for non-alcoholic beverages to edge out more of the market and experts are predicting that global non-alcoholic beers sales will double in the next five or so years. Much of this will be outside of the USA but there’s a solid push to create a non-alcoholic beer trend in the states.
Why Choose Non-Alcoholic Beer?
I already know that many of you have already answered this question with a resounding: I would never choose non-alcoholic beer.
But people do choose it and there may be a time or place that it will be the right choice for you as well. Here are just two simple reasons why you may consider these beers.
Sobriety
Seems like an oxymoron when discussing beer but this is a reason to pick NA Beer. I don’t mind the warmth and buzz provided by beer but I do not aim to become drunk.
For that reason, I drink small amounts at any given time. When I am enjoying more than a few, I aim for low ABV (5% or so) beers. And I know many others that would feel the same way which means a non-alcoholic beer would make sense.
Furthermore, we can’t look past the reality that social media is changing our world. Many fear drunkenness as they do not want their bad decisions shared online where it may live forever.
Health
People are increasingly more aware of their health than in the past. While not everyone makes the best decision, we know more about how to make good decisions for our long-term health.
For example, it would not surprise me if we see cigarette smoking nearly eliminated within the next few decades. That’s quite a shift when we consider how common it was just years ago. People are healthier for it too. And many make different decisions about drinking for the same reasons.
Non-alcoholic beers have lower calories in addition to not having the other risks associated with alcohol. Which means they are even better for your health than low ABV beers like Michelob Ultra. And a 3% beer isn’t really that much different than no alcohol so the crowd drinking Michelob Ultra are perfect for those trying to market a NA beer.
Non-Alcoholic Beer Trend Coming Soon?
That’s the real question here; can these beers increase in popularity enough to make more people take notice and give them a shot?
The reality is this is already a trend outside the USA. In Europe and Canada, breweries are seeing rising sales and now putting a lot of effort into developing more options for those that don’t want alcohol in their beer. And it is believed that the same popularity is headed to the US in the coming years.
I do believe that NA Beers will become more popular in the US but not sure when this trend will take hold. Much of it is tied to generational differences. Younger generations will be the demographic that determines this.
Craft beer has been around for a long time but the recent boom was created when the younger generations decided to support it. The same will need to happen to create a non-alcoholic beer trend.
There is no doubt that health and social awareness gets stronger with each generation. For that reason, those that are becoming drinkers now are shown to have a lower desire to drink alcohol. Both for the reasons of seeking better health and reduce likelihood of doing something that will haunt them on social media for the rest of their lives.
That is where non-alcoholic beer believes they can make huge gains. And there’s a lot of evidence that the industry will be ready as NA beers come in a number of styles now compared to just being lagers in the past.
Will NA Beer Impact Craft Beer?
I don’t see these beers having much impact on craft beer but instead macro beer drinkers moving to non-alcoholic beers. The most popular macro brands are light beers already so it would be reasonable shift for those drinkers to move to an option that is even lighter in calories and alcohol. They also have a lot less flavor to give up as well.
In many ways, we should think of NA beer as beverage just like tea or soda instead of a substitute for alcoholic beer. Consider a world where there is a tasty NA beer that you could actually drink at work without any stigma. I think there are some that would embrace this idea.
Non-Alcoholic Beer Options
There is an increasing amount of non-alcoholic beers available. In the past, it was simple lager-like beers that made up this category. However, that has started to change slowly as there are some ale styles of NA beers available now.
In fact, there are IPAs and even stouts that are non-alcoholic. They aren’t easy to find but that may change in the near future.
If you are looking to try a NA beer, then you’ll probably be drawn to a classic O’Doul’s or possibly the new Heineken 0.0. But I haven’t had either of those to speak to their flavor or quality.
However, I have recently tried Clausthaler – both their Original and Dry-Hopped version. And I have to say that I really enjoyed the chance to see what a NA beer was all about.
The Original was a bit too sweet for me be the Dry-Hopped was quite tasty. Both had great body and carbonation. Neither felt watered down or thin like most light beers.
And after doing some research, I found out they’ve been making NA beer for 40 years and are a pioneer in this style of beverage. So it should come to no surprise that they’ve mastered their craft. If you are looking to give a non-alcoholic beer a try, I’d recommend Clausthaler Dry-Hopped as it breaks the negative stereotypes associated with NA beer..
My Thoughts On Non-Alcoholic Beer
I have no issue with the non-alcoholic part of non-alcoholic beer. While having a beer has become a great way for me to unwind or enjoy time with family and friends, it is the flavor of craft beer that captured my attention. And the continual evolution of styles that keeps me coming back for more.
In many cases, I have a single beer at a time as I am seeking flavor and not drunkenness. So I’m compelled to ask myself . . . if the same flavors and variety could be found in non-alcoholic beer, would I be just as enthusiastic about it?
While non-alcoholic beer is on the rise, it is still is a tiny portion of the overall market. Which means there isn’t the wide variety of flavor options available . . . at least not yet.
That doesn’t mean that non-alcoholic beer can’t make its way into my beer fridge. If there is NA beer that offers the same flavor and drinking experience then maybe I’d enjoy it from time to time when alcohol doesn’t fit the situation.
So if non-alcoholic beer can provide a desirable flavor profile and lots of different style options then I can see a future where it is the beverage of choice for situations where health and sobriety are important. I’m intrigued to see if a non-alcoholic beer trend will come to the United States or if these beers will remain only popular overseas.