The non-alcoholic beer market has exploded lately and is forecast to develop by 7% over the subsequent 5 years, in line with Euromonitor.
Within the UK, which is taken into account one of the dynamic markets for no- and low-alcohol, drinks market analyst IWSR estimates greater than half the grownup inhabitants purchased a no-alcohol or low-alcohol product final yr.
Chr Hansen first entered the area again in 2016, with the launch of 1 pressure for non-alcoholic brewing. The Danish components provider prides itself on being the primary to launch a organic resolution to supply a 0.0% non-alcoholic beer.
Nearly eight years on, and Chr Hansen sees no signal of the non-alcoholic beer slowing down. “We anticipate that the pattern will proceed and develop sooner or later,” Sofie Saerens, senior business supervisor, informed FoodNavigator. “We additionally anticipate that the style and high quality of the beers will advance and that extra individuals select non-alcoholic beers for various events.”
What’s driving the non-alcoholic beer pattern?
The expansion of the non-alcoholic beer market is basically linked to client want for well being and wellness, in addition to the diminishing stigma round non-drinkers. “This pattern is pushed by health-conscious customers and customers preferring beer however would love it to be each tasty and alcohol free,” mentioned Saerens.
Particularly, the components provider has seen rising curiosity amongst youthful and older generations, and believes that is ‘carefully linked’ to the well being consciousness of customers in these generations. Certainly within the UK, one in 5 Gen Z customers declare to be teetotallers.
“It’s commonplace to listen to individuals asking for a non-alcoholic beer in a bar, which was unlikely simply a few years in the past,” mentioned Saerens.
Flavour and style additionally stay ‘essential’ elements in client acceptance of those drinks, which for Chr Hansen highlights the significance of providing various flavour choices to fulfill market demand.
Business is responding with elevated manufacturing of alcohol-free beers. And beer majors resembling AB InBev and Heineken have set particular targets for the way a lot of their beer quantity ought to be non-alcoholic. For AB InBev, 20% of its beer ought to be low or non-alcoholic by 2025.
How do Chr Hansen strains make non-alcoholic beer?
Chr Hansen, too, is responding to rising demand by increasing its strains providing for non-alcoholic brewing. Following the launch of its first pressure in 2016, the provider is including two extra to the portfolio.
“With new strains in our portfolio, brewers can now provide an excellent better number of flavours to customers who’re searching for non-alcoholic choices,” Saerens informed this publication.
The strains can be utilized identical to in typical beer manufacturing, with the primary distinction being that the yeast used within the fermentation course of doesn’t produce alcohol. Brewers change the ‘alcoholic’ yeast with a ‘non-alcoholic producing’ yeast referred to as Pichia kluyveri, defined the business supervisor.
“Our Neer strains can’t metabolise the maltose within the value (which is the primary sugar), however solely the small quantity of glucose that’s current. Which means that the yeast can’t produce alcohol from maltose and due to this fact not be used to supply a traditional beer.”
As an alternative, the yeast species can produce the flavours wanted to bake a non-alcoholic beer style like an alcoholic beers. They can be utilized for each 0.0% ABV beers in addition to <0.5% ABV beers.
New strains for brand new flavours
As to how the corporate’s new strains differ from its authentic providing, Chr Hansen says it comes right down to flavour selection.
Neer Poly is designed for individuals who want a extra ‘impartial’ influence of the yeast and works greatest for pilsner, stout and ale beers. Neer Punch, alternatively, is described as a extra ‘fruit-forward’ beer and as such is best for IPAs, wheat and fruit beers.
“Our…know-how supplies the total beer expertise, making a well-integrated physique and mouthfeel that rivals conventional alcoholic beers,” mentioned Saerens. “Plus, our yeast know-how streamlines the brewing course of, enabling price financial savings and sustainability advantages.”
