Exploring the Low- and No- Alcohol Beer Market

On 17 May the Brewers’ Company took a deep dive into the potential, opportunities and challenges of the ever-growing low- and no- alcohol beer market at a forum for members and industry guests at Brewers’ Hall.

An impressive line up of expert speakers approached the topic from all angles, starting with Laura Willoughby from Club Soda whose presentation “Who Drinks Alcohol Free Beer” focused on the rapid growth of the market, emerging behaviours which are driving people to move to alcohol free options and how brewers can engage with this. Dr Chris Smart from Renegade Brewery then presented “Low and zero alcohol beers – Challenges, opportunities and approaches” which examined the technical aspects of producing these beers, the methods available and their pros and cons. He was followed by Emma Heal from Lucky Saint Brewing Company whose presentation “Breaking Rules. Honouring Traditions. The Lucky Saint mission to elevate alcohol free” considered the key aspects of creating a successful alcohol-free beer brand. The evening was concluded by Steve Livens from the British Beer and Pub Association with “Low Alcohol Beer – What, Why, Where” considering the status of UK, EU and US markets, definitions, legislation, drivers of growth and future opportunities and threats.

The lively question sessions following each presentation demonstrated the significant importance of the topics considered. In concluding the evening, the Master, Jonathan Neame, thanked the speakers for their useful insights and noted that back in the 1960s the Brewers’ Company could have held a similar event considering the new, emerging market for the strange new product ‘lager’ which at the time represented only 1% of the UK’s beer market; “perhaps in 50 years’ time we will have a market dominated by low- and no- alcohol beers and will be looking back on today’s market in wonder!” he said.

The presentations from the evening are available to download from our website at https://www.brewershall.co.uk/the-brewing-industry/brewing-beer-brands-forum.