Yahoo News Beer giants report soaring alcohol-free sales in latest sign of sector growth
Drinks giants have reported higher alcohol-free beer sales in the latest sign the low- and no-alcohol drinks sector continues to grow.
Heineken and Carlsberg have both created alcohol-free versions of their flagship beer labels, Belgian brewer AB InBev recently launched a low-alcohol alternative to Stella Artois, and this week drinks giant Diageo aunched a booze-free version of Guinness in Britain and Ireland.
Danish brewer Carlsberg - behind the Tuborg and Kronenbourg brands - on Wednesday reported a 29% growth across its alcohol-free brews in the three months to September, compared to the same period last year.
The group said the growth was "supported by an increasing health focus among consumers", with the strongest European growth seen in France, Russia, Ukraine and Poland.
While Dutch brewer Heineken - whose brands include Amstel, Birra Moretti and Bulmers cider - reported on the same day that its Heineken 0.0 alcohol-free beer saw double digit growth in the third quarter, and it launched into 11 new markets in the period.
The brewer said its no-alcohol offering saw particularly strong performance in Brazil, Mexico and the USA.
In its third quarter trading statement, Carlsberg said: "Our international premium brands, craft & speciality and alcohol-free brews delivered solid growth for both Q3 and year-to-date despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Carlsberg chief executive, Cees ’t Hart, said: “We’re satisfied with our Q3 performance and the fact that we were able to deliver more than 2% volume growth, including strong figures for craft & speciality and alcoholfree brews."
It follows a pattern of recent growth in the sector. Last summerCarlsberg saw sales of its alcohol-free drinks leap 33%.
"Guinness 0.0" went on sale in Waitrose and Morrisons in 440ml can packs on Monday, and will be rolled out to other retailers. The Irish stout, which will be launched in other parts of the world later in 2021, is set to arrive in British pubs next year.
AB InBev has pledged that low and no-alcohol products will make up 20% of its drinks portfolio by 2025.
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