While many people may not have even considered it in the past, non-alcoholic beer has become something of a trend lately. Yes, you read that correctly: an increasing number of people have been drinking – and enjoying – their share of non-alcoholic beer. In fact, research shows that beer with no or low alcohol content is one of the fastest growing segments within the industry, increasing by a staggering 96% in the past year alone.
Indeed, non-alcoholic beer certainly seems to be having its moment here in 2022. The only question is, will it last? Let’s explore why this has become a trend in the first place, and whether it will be enough to keep people interested.
It’s Better Than Ever
This is perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the trend – alcoholic beer actually tastes good now! This is largely due to changes in the technology and methods used to brew a buzzless beer. For example, innovations in filtration and vacuum evaporation have allowed brewers to remove most of the alcohol from the beer without compromising its flavour.
And with so many breweries jumping on the non-alcoholic bandwagon, there’s also a ton of variety. If you don’t like the taste of one, two, or even five brands, then there’s almost certainly another you can try. Indeed, there is probably a non-alcoholic beer that will suit just about every beer drinkers’ tastes out there, and further innovation in the field will likely see this trend continuing in the future.
The “Sober Curious” Movement
The book Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington goes into the various health benefits associated with consuming less alcohol, and this may have been taken to heart by the younger generations. Millennials and Gen Zers have already been drinking less alcohol than their older counterparts, with Millennials also being more likely to engage in Dry January. This could explain the increase in non-alcoholic beer consumption, as they may want something with the taste of beer without all the alcohol.
While the spotlight may be on the young adults spearheading the sober curious movement, people in general seem to be more conscious of what they’re putting into their bodies these days. Restaurants and food manufacturers have certainly noticed, and that’s why you may have seen an increase in nutritious options on menus and at the grocery store. Considering the potential negative impact of alcohol on both physical and mental health, it makes sense that so many people are cutting back. As long as people keep up with this generally health-conscious mindset, then the non-alcoholic beer trend will likely continue right along with it.
The Stigma is Gone – or At Least, Less
Hard to believe as it may seem, there was a point in time when it was embarrassing to be seen drinking a non-alcoholic beer. People would actually make fun of you for making a healthier choice! The stigma would be enough to turn anyone off of non-alcoholic beer, even if they did prefer it to the regular stuff.
These days, however, people don’t seem to care as much on either side of the issue. Regular beer drinkers are becoming increasingly tolerant of the idea, and many non-alcoholic beer drinkers don’t really care what they think anyway. As non-alcoholic beer continues to become more socially acceptable, there’s a good chance that this trend will be here to stay.
Thinking of getting some non-alcoholic beer for the office? Contact Office Libations today to see how we can help!
