Why Do People Drink Non Alcoholic Beer?

If you’re like most people over the age of 25, you probably associate it with two things:

• People who don’t drink alcohol
• Going on fishing trips with dad, grandpa, or your favorite uncle

There’s no denying that non alcoholic beer had a reputation for the longest time. It was known as a drink for people who wanted beer but couldn’t drink beer. It was for people who wanted an alternative that could pass as beer if you really wanted it to.

The Reason Why People Drink Non Alcoholic Beer Has Changed

The non alcoholic beer industry has changed dramatically over the last few years. This is mostly because consumer preferences have changed, as well. Many Millennials and Gen Zs are prioritizing their health over their dietary choices, which means they’re cutting back on alcoholic beverages.

This shift in drinking trends created the perfect opportunity for breweries to expand their non alcoholic beer offerings. After all, many of the people who reduced their alcohol consumption do enjoy a good beer. Breweries knew this, and started investing more money in producing non alcoholic beer.

Before 2015, non alcoholic beer was a niche market. And depending on who you asked, the handful of brands that specialized in making non alcoholic beer weren’t making delicious drinks. But as soon as the market started to grow, a combination of microbreweries and big-box brewers started looking at ways to improve the taste of non alcoholic beer by:

• Creating non alcoholic versions of different beer styles
• Exploring alternative ways to brew non alcoholic beer
• Spending money on better dealcoholizing technology
• Using better quality ingredients when brewing non alcoholic beer

As a result, the non alcoholic beer market started losing its reputation as a second-class beer. It started becoming known for being a viable alternative for beer drinkers who love the taste of beer, but don’t want to become intoxicated.

So, Why Do People Drink Non Alcoholic Beer?

People drink non alcoholic beer for a number of different reasons. One of the most common reasons is because of health concerns.

According to a recent study, only 15% of Gen Zs aged 21 or older drink alcohol once a week or more. Millennials are the second-lowest group for drinking alcohol, with only 28% of Millennials drinking once a week.

Nicknamed “Generation Moderation,” Gen Z is largely to thank for the non alcoholic beer industry’s recent boom. When asked why, many reported health concerns as a top reason why they cut back on drinking.

In other words, these two generations tend to be more health-conscious than previous generations. And this created a demand for a type of beer that was healthier­­­ but still tasted like beer.

Non alcoholic beer is healthier than beer

The truth is that non alcoholic beer is healthier than regular beer. While the occasional beer or glass of wine is believed to offer health benefits, those benefits go out the window when people start drinking excessively.

But non alcoholic beer doesn’t have the same health risks as beer and other alcoholic beverages. In fact, it’s actually known to have a lot of health benefits, including: 

• Improving cardiovascular health
• Lowering the risks of osteoporosis
• Reducing stress and helping you feel more relaxed

And these benefits come without the nasty side-effects, like hangovers and sleep disruption.

Non alcoholic beer is diet-friendly

Arguably one of the most attractive benefits of non alcoholic beer is its lower calorie content. Alcohol packs a lot of calories, and it can contribute from 50-75% of a beer’s caloric value depending on the type of beer. For many people who’re trying to lose weight, beer is one of the first things removed from the diet.

Of course, a lot of people make the switch to light beer when they’re cutting calories. But this usually means drinking a beer that doesn’t pack the same rich flavor as its traditional counterparts.

If you ask beer lovers whether they enjoy drinking light beer, you’ll notice a significant portion will say no. Many will say that light beer tastes watered down. Many diet-conscious beer drinkers who don’t care about a beer’s alcohol content choose non alcoholic beer for this reason. Because they only include small traces of alcohol, non alcoholic beer doesn’t usually have the same calories as regular beer. Best of all, brewers don’t have to reduce calories by removing other ingredients that contribute to a beer’s flavor. This means you can get a beer without alcohol that has the caloric value of a light beer, but the flavor of a full-bodied beer.

Non alcoholic beer isn’t a niche market anymore

If you’re still wondering “why do people drink non alcoholic beer?”The answer is simple. They like the taste of beer, but don’t want to drink alcohol. This could be for severaldifferent reasons, including:

• Religious beliefs and other personal reasons
• Health and lifestyle choices
• Medical issues

Even alcohol drinkers buynon alcoholic beer from time to time. Maybe they enjoy drinking beer during their lunch break, or maybe they’ve gone out with friends and they’re the designated driver.

The truth is that the non alcoholic beer industry is for everyone who loves beer, but doesn’t want the effects that come from drinking alcohol. And since non alcoholic beer comes in a wide range of flavors and styles, there’s a type of non alcoholic beer for anyone and everyone.

Popping the Cap on the Non Alcoholic Beer Industry

The days of non alcoholic beer tasting like carbonated oatmeal water are dead and gone. It’s become a thriving industry that caters to people of all backgrounds and beer preferences. If you’re a curious beer drinker who’s interested in learning more about non alcoholic brews, read our post on how non alcoholic beer is made.

If you’re interested in buying some delicious non alcoholic brews of your own, check out your local grocery store or bottle shop. Or you can read our article on where to buy non alcoholic beer.