It’s Happy New Beer to our readers, and, my friends, never have our brewers and pubs needed us more. Certainly, it would seem the only way is up.
It’s traditionally a time of year when some people lay off the drink, following the excesses of the festive season. Dry January is here, but this time around there’s a twist.
Going to a pub and not drinking used to be all about soft drinks, warming drinks, and, if one was brave, those early attempts at alcohol-free beer that tasted so very, very sweet. But 2025 is an age away from all that.
According to GlobalData, the ‘alcohol avoidance trend’ is expected to drive the UK non-alcoholic beverage market over a £500 million category in 2024, representing a double-digit growth from the previous year. The no- and low-alcohol beer market in the UK is projected to grow by 15%.
Alcohol Change UK 15.5 million Brits are planning an alcohol-free start to the year by taking part in the Dry January challenge.
Drinks to try while staying dry
There’s a theory that the popularity of Guinness 0.0 could be behind the shortage of the original ‘black stuff’. And you can see why. It’s my personal favourite AF, difficult to distinguish from its full ABV stablemate and enormously satisfying.
During this year I was sent some bottles of Nirvana Best (0.5% ABV). I’ve enjoyed Nirvana beers before, but as a brown beer lover this take on a best bitter was a revelation. Caramel, husky malt flavours, nutty and rich, with good bitterness and a fine body.
More and more brewers are now adding alcohol-free options to their portfolio. Some are original, but many are AF versions of old favourites, such as St Austell’s Proper Job, Sharp’s Doom Bar, and Thornbridge’s Jaipur.
And still they come. This week, look out for Low Key, a 0.5% ABV pale ale from UnBarred, and Fresh Start, a New-Zealand-hopped pale ale from Left Handed Giant at the same ABV.
Impossibrew, first featured on Dragon’s Den, has seen both its lager and pale named UK’s best non-alcoholic beer at the World Beer Awards.
Help to keep our pubs in business
And it’s not just beer. There’s a whole host of alcohol-free drinks, from cider to gin and wine. So this January, don’t walk past your local pub. Get in and enjoy the craic. It can be a lonely time of year for many, so it’s a great place to socialise. Every visit and every single drink bought is a step in the direction of arresting our pubs’ decline.
• What will you be enjoying this January? Share your experience on our social media or WhatsApp on 07867585395.
