In the past few years, the beverage industry has seen a large-scale change in customer tastes, which has led to a burgeoning interest in drinks that don't contain alcohol. Within this space, non-alcoholic (NA) beers have risen to great heights and become a favorite go-to for people who want to enjoy the distinct taste and camaraderie that beer offers without having to consume alcohol. This article looks into the world of NA beers—how they're made, their potential health benefits, and how they fit into an ever-evolving beverage market.
Usually, when people think of beer, they think of a frosty mug filled with a golden liquid, ready to be tipped back and enjoyed. What these people may not realize, however, is that beer does not have to contain any alcohol to call itself "beer." This is a basic introduction to the production methods for what is known in the brewing world as "NA" or "non-alcoholic" beer. While the methods and ingredients may be similar to those used in brewing traditional beer, the key difference lies in the end result. For non-alcoholic beer, brewers have the almost impossible challenge of creating a product that tastes like beer, but without that pesky ethanol.
One of the main reasons that people are increasingly turning to non-alcoholic beers is for their health benefits. As consumers become more health-focused, they are also looking for beer alternatives that aren't boosted with as much bad stuff as a typical craft brew. Here are a few key health points to consider when thinking about non-alcoholic beer—especially when comparing it to alcoholic beer:
1. Non-alcoholic beers are lower in calories. 2. They are more hydrating.
3. They are devoid of several nasty side effects that come along with drinking too much alcohol—effectively lowering your risk of dealing with liver problems, recovering from an addiction, or not being sober while you're legally allowed to drive.
With those factors noted, it's also becoming socially acceptable to enjoy a non-alcoholic brew in a way that it never was before. They don't taste like garbage, for one thing. And when it comes to enjoying a cold one, that's definitely a priority.
The non-alcoholic beer market has been growing by leaps and bounds, with sales jumping substantially in the past few years. Reports from the industry tell us that the global market for non-alcoholic beer is projected to keep right on expanding. This seems to be driven by several really positive developments: changed consumer tastes; a ramped-up awareness of health and wellness among beer drinkers; and, in the old and new brewing companies' product innovation, a relentless search for and realization of great non-alcoholic beer. For the most part, the major beer brands have figured this out: They know these developments spell opportunity, and they've been pouring money into the development of non-alcoholic versions of their beers.
For people wanting to avoid alcohol but still enjoy the look, taste, and feel of beer, non-alcoholic beer is an excellent option. Its health benefits, its growing acceptance in social settings, and its rapidly evolving market make it a drink that is increasingly easy to choose. Still, even when not consuming alcohol, many people desire other forms of "mindful drinking," in which the act of drinking has some social or ancestral meaning but the substance being consumed doesn't have intoxicating effects.
