The trend comes amid lower rates of alcohol consumption among younger people and a more short-term trend towards moderation, with the UK in the grip of multiple prolonged heatwaves.<\/p>\n
However, the BBPA warned that further growth in \u201cno and low\u201d beer, a category sometimes known as \u201cnolo\u201d, could be curtailed by the UK\u2019s definition of what constitutes alcohol-free beer.<\/p>\n
The current definition is an alcohol by volume content of 0.05% or lower, compared with many other countries where the threshold is 10 times higher, at 0.5%.<\/p>\n
Removing alcohol entirely from beer while retaining the drink\u2019s signature flavour and aroma is extremely difficult.<\/p>\n
Typically, the beer is brewed in much the same way, before going through a process of dealcoholisation, through a variety of methods, including the use of pressure or heat.<\/p>\n
Various methods of dealcoholisation have disadvantages, such as removing flavour or increasing cost.<\/p>\n
Despite these difficulties, the BBPA said historic sales figures showed that no- and low-alcohol beer is the sector\u2019s biggest growth category across the UK, with volume growth of 870% since 2013.<\/p>\n
While choice in non-alcoholic beers has increased dramatically over the past decade, brewers warned that the 0.5% watermark was constraining further investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the sun is out and the football is on, people want to make the most of it, and alcohol-free beer matches the occasion,\u201d said Luke Boase, the founder of Lucky Saint, which has experienced an increase in sales during the World Cup.<\/p>\n
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