Currently, an alcohol free beer must be below 0.05% ABV, which is in contrast with many other countries, who define alcohol free as 0.5% ABV.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called for the change as it revealed that no and low beer sales have hit “record highs.” It forecasts that 64m pints will be sold during June, July and August, an uplift of 8m pints from the previous year.
Last year, approximately 200m no and low beers were drunk, which the BBPA said was the category’s most successful year on record, boosted by the sector adapting to trends and bring more beers to market.
Despite the strong growth the BBPA has warned progress is being held back by the restrictive definition of “alcohol free”. It is calling for an alignment with other countries to 0.5% ABV to support the brewery sector and help encourage investment.
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the BBPA, said: “No and low popularity is booming and the category’s year-on-year success shows that it’s a category that’s here to stay.
“Brewers and pubs across the country are already responding to this by serving up great new options which help people choose moderation, if they wish.”
She said that the industry needs the government to change the alcohol-free definition to 0.5% ABV.
“This will open the door to greater investment, keep us on par with international markets, and deliver even more options for people who choose to moderate - everyone wins,” McClarkin added.
James Rabagliati, Head Brewer at Nirvana Brewery, said: “Like any brewery, summer is peak-time for sales and the heatwave has had a very positive impact on ours - especially as some people are moderating their alcohol intake in higher temperatures.
“We’ve seen people either exclusively drinking alcohol-free beer such as our pils and fruit lagers, or ‘Zebra-striping’ where they’re alternating between us and alcoholic beers.”
Luke Boase, founder of Lucky Saint, said: “Summer sees demand for alcohol-free surge, as people spend longer socialising and enjoying the sun in pub gardens and parks, or watching the sport.
“When the sun is out and the football is on, people want to make the most of it and alcohol-free beer matches the occasion. We’ve seen a spike in sales of Lucky Saint, and it’s a reflection of how alcohol-free beer has become part of the way people drink today.”
According to BBPA in June and July 2024, the equivalent of 27 million pints of No and Low beer were sold, up from 23 million in the same period in 2023, and 20 million in 2022.
