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Light beers, or even ones without alcohol, conquer the public of enthusiasts and sit right next to traditional blondes and reds. The data leaves no room for doubt: according to the new edition of AssoBirra’s Cib, in fact, Low and No alcohol beer One in two beer lovers now likes it. And of these, around a third (35%) declare that they now often drink it as an alternative to traditional beer.
Eventually, like the drop that digs through the rock, campaigns pointing the finger at the health risks of alcohol consumption are starting to bear fruit. Low or no alcohol beers are popular because they are considered a drink with a satisfying flavour, like that of traditional beer, and at the same time allow an increasingly healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Low and no alcohol beer, say Assobirra data, is now known by 80% of lovers of this drink regardless of age, and has been cconsumed at least once by 67% of them. Among the target audiences, Gen X records the highest consumption overall (69%), followed by Millennials (65%) and Gen Z (62%). The most appreciated aspect is naturally the possibility of being able to drink it without suffering the effects of alcohol (28% of the sample). The flavor comparable to that of traditional beer is a factor of satisfaction for 17% of consumers, while 16% appreciate it as a light and digestible drink. Finally, 24% do not mind the lower calorie intake . 34% of those interviewed enjoy it as an alternative to traditional beer, for example when driving (32%), while one in four considers it a refreshing drink to drink during meals and social occasions.
«The brewing industry – claims the general director of Assobirra, Andrea Bagnolini – is entering a changing scenario and is responding to an evolution in consumer habits, investing in innovative solutions and expanding the range of beers offered. Producers are increasingly embracing an approach that espouses moderate consumption, with high-quality alcohol-free or low-alcohol products rooted in local traditions. The popularity of low and no alcohol beers is expanding.”
At the forefront of the growing interest in health and well-being is Gen Z, the generation of so-called digital natives, born between 1997 and 2012. In the last year one beer drinker in three (32%) followed a controlled diet and Gen Z emerges among the most attentive targets, with one interviewee in two (45%) declaring that they followed a careful diet. Overall, three-quarters of the sample say they pursue their physical, emotional and mental well-being through a balanced diet, an adequate number of hours of sleep and the practice of physical activities.
On average, compared to traditional ones, Low and No alcohol beers have a lighter texture, a sweeter flavor and a milder olfactory complexity. «These beers – claims the beer sommelier Fabio Mondini – are versatile and excellent to offer from the aperitif to the entire meal, with unstructured dishes, such as vegetables, various salads, but also sushi, carpaccio and white meats». For producers, the challenge is to maintain a complex taste profile comparable to traditional beer: «The production of no and low alcohol beers – continues Mondini – occurs through techniques such as limited fermentation and the removal of alcohol, procedures that allow to preserve the taste and aroma. By taking advantage of ingredients such as hops, spices and aromatic herbs, the flavor can be intensified, bringing non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beers ever closer to the traditional flavour.”
