It’s predicted that more than 64 million pints of no and low beer will be sold this summer, an increase of over eight million from 2025.
According to the British Beer & Pub Association, the growth is testament to the point that no and low is not just a fad, but a defining part of the beer and pub sector.
Last year, some 200 million no and low beers were drunk, the category’s most successful year on record. The boom has been made possible by the sector adapting to trends, and producing more options than ever before.
Despite this strong growth, the BBPA warns that progress is being held back by the UK’s restrictive definition of ‘alcohol free’. Currently, an alcohol free beer must be below 0.05% ABV, which represents a barrier to entry to the category for many British brewers. This contrasts with many other countries, where alcohol free is definced as 0.5% ABV.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said that no and low popularity is booming and the category’s year-on-year success shows that it’s a category that’s here to stay.
“Brewers and pubs across the country are already responding to this by serving up great new options which help people choose moderation, if they wish.
“We need government to keep the momentum going by changing the alcohol-free definition to 0.5%. This will open the door to greater investment, keep us on par with international markets, and deliver even more options for people who choose to moderate — everyone wins.”
James Rabagliati, head brewer at Nirvana Brewery, said: “Like any brewery, summer is peak-time for sales and the heatwave has had a very positive impact on ours – especially as some people are moderating their alcohol intake in higher temperatures.
“We’ve seen people either exclusively drinking alcohol-free beer, such as our pils and fruit lagers, or ‘zebra-striping’, where they’re alternating between us and alcoholic beers.”
Luke Boase, founder of Lucky Saint, added: “Summer sees demand for alcohol-free surge, as people spend longer socialising and enjoying the sun in pub gardens and parks, or watching the sport.
“When the sun is out and the football is on, people want to make the most of it, and alcohol-free beer matches the occasion. We’ve seen a spike in sales of Lucky Saint, and it’s a reflection of how alcohol-free beer has become part of the way people drink today.
We think the government updating the alcohol-free definition to 0.5% will get more people drinking alcohol-free in this country, which can only be a good thing.”
