Non-alcoholic beer to get big shake-up – and it may persuade you to try it

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    Most Brits love to head on down to their local for a catch up with mates and a tipple.

    But, not everyone can or wants to drink booze – hence the rise of non-alcoholic beer and other free-from options. Some may argue that the taste – or lack of – stops drinkers from converting to the alcohol free alternatives.

    However, ministers are wanting to make zero per-cent beers stronger with the mission to make more alcohol drinkers lay off the booze. Those in charge are planning to rise the legal limit for non-alcoholic drink from 0.05 per cent ABV (Alcohol By Volume) to 0.5 per cent.

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    But why the need for change, you ask? Well, the plan could help people cut out alcohol. The substance is proven to cause a number of physical and mental health issues. By creating more options for drinkers, it could entice them to lay off the booze, and therefore cut the risks of it.

    Also, ministers say that the change would match the standards of Europe and the US, which will boost the non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drink market.

    According to brewing experts, the alteration in alcohol volume helps create a flavour that is closer to the booze taste.

    “0.5 per cent may only be a trace of alcohol but it makes all the difference to taste," explained Rob Fink from Big Drop Brewing.

    And with the demand for low or no-alcohol drinks increasing – three in ten buy them 'semi-regularly' – the Department of Health will run an eight-week consultation.

    This test period will seek information of rule changes that could 'force' manufacturers to display ABV on the low-strength cans and bottles.

    Matt Lambert, from the Portman Group, which is funded by the drinks industry, said: “We welcome the new consultation, which we hope will encourage further uptake of low and no alcohol alternatives.”

    Let us know in the comments what you think about the proposed change to non-alcoholic beer!

    • Alcohol
    • Health issues

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