What's hitting the shelves? New alcohol-free and low-alcohol products
Strongbow Dark Fruit
Heineken has launched an ‘ultra-low alcohol’ variant for Strongbow Dark Fruit in the UK.
The 0.5% ABV drink is vegan and contains 73 calories per 330ml bottle.
Rachel Holms, marketing director for Strongbow said: “Thousands of loyal Strongbow Dark Fruit fans will be rejoicing at this news — it’s a game-changer for low and no alcohol. People can now stick to their New Year’s resolutions and still enjoy the taste sensation of the nation’s favourite fruit cider.”
Strongbow Dark Fruit 0.5% launched exclusively in Tesco on January 2 with an RRP of £1.10 per bottle. Strongbow Dark Fruit 0.5% x4 330ml pack will be launched nationally across multiple retailers in March.
CBD cocktail
London start-up Kolibri Drinks has launched a CBD-infused, alcohol-free cocktail.
The fruit-flavoured spring water comes in a recyclable glass bottle: the cap of which contains 20mg of broad-spectrum cannabidiol suspended in flavoured syrup. This means consumers can customize the strength of CBD in their drink. A full dose of syrup provides 4.6g of sugar per 100ml.
Kolibri’s CBD drinks come in two flavors: Dark Forest (“woody, smoky notes balanced by an intense profile of pine and black pepper”), and Citrus Grove (“a zesty blend of sharp curaçao, dried fruits and rich goji berry with a long bitter and herbaceous finish”).
The drinks hope to attract consumers who are cutting back on alcohol or those who want CBD in a format other than tinctures and pills.
The drinks launch on February 14 in Holland & Barrett.
Irish spirits
Dublin-based drinks innovation company RTD Beverages has launched Noki & Co ‘Juniper Edition’, a distilled non-alcoholic Irish spirit.
As the name suggests, the drink is distinctly juniper forward but also draws on angelica root, lemon, orange and grapefruit.
The 0.0% ABV drink is available in Ireland and the UK with a RRP of €24.99. It contains 60 calories per 275ml serve.
It’s a new addition for the Noki & Co range, which launched in 2019 with a 275ml range of pre-mixed alcohol-free gin and tonic flavored drinks. RTD Beverages, which focuses on the no and low alcohol categories, also launched a low calorie 4% ABV hard seltzer in Europe last year under the Loki & Co brand (85 calories per 275ml).
Humble warrior
UK brand humble warrior has launched a new range of sparkling botanical drinks with three flavors: tulsi & pomegranate; reishi & pineapple; and turmeric & mango.
The brand says the drinks offer ‘complex, layered flavours that are perfect alongside food or as stand-alone aperitifs’. They have also been designed with branding and packaging that plays on cues from the world of alcohol – such as amber glass bottles and ring-pulls from craft beer – to add to the drinking experience.
The range of sparkling non-alcoholic drinks can be found in Selfridges and Redemption non-alcoholic bars and restaurants and London locations of the ACE Hotel from New York.
“As more and more consumers opt to dial down their booze intake, top restaurants and bars are responding – curating exciting new non-alcoholic sections in their drinks menus,” said Rosh Amarasekara, co-founder, humble warrior.
Grapefruit alcohol-free
Non-alcoholic malt beverage brand Clausthaler has launched a non-alcoholic blended beer, Clasthaler Grapefruit, in the US.
The beer from The Radeberger Gruppe - Germany's largest brewing group - is brewed in Germany and imported into the US but Radeberger Gruppe USA.
The brew features Clausthaler's original beer blended with grapefruit drink with natural grapefruit juice. A patented process prevents the creation of alcohol and allows the full beer flavor to be maintained.
“The non-alcoholic beverage category continues to see dramatic growth fueled by consumers who are seeking refreshing alternatives to traditional sodas and other beverages, particularly millennials,” said David Deuser, CEO of sales and marketing at Radeberger Gruppe USA, the US importer of the leading German brewing group. “Non-alcoholic beer has come a long way since the days of it being consumed only by those needing to abstain."
Carlsberg Nordic
Carlsberg has launched a new alcohol-free beer in the UK: Carlsberg Nordic. The 0.0% beer replaces Carlsberg 0.0 in this market.
Carlsberg Nordic is “specifically brewed as an alcohol-free beer, meaning it delivers the same refreshment that drinkers expect from regular beer, with a crisp, hoppy bit,” according to the brand. It has launched in 170 Tesco stores with a wider rollout planned for later this year.
Carlsberg Nordic is already available in Denmark. In the UK, Carlsberg also sells San Miguel 0.0% and Brooklyn Brewery’s non-alcoholic Special Effects.
Blueberry Acai Golden Ale
Colorado's Beckenridge Brewery has released a 3.5% ABV Resolution Blueberry Acai Golden Ale this month: an isotonic, low ABV, electrolyte-infused blueberry acai superfruit golden ale.
The new ale from the brewery, which AB InBev acquired in 2016, is described as 'fruit-forward and slightly sweet with a light finish'.
The drink pairs with foods such as fish tacos; aruguloa salad with goat cheese and berries; and dried fruits.
Mango Cart non-alcoholic wheat ale
Golden Road Brewing debuts its Mango Cart non-alcoholic wheat ale in California this month, with distribution to widen in March.
The drink is a non-alcoholic (less than 0.5% ABV) version of the brewery's Mango Cart wheat ale.
It was inspired by the iconic fruit cart vendors of Los Angeles: and is a light beer 'bursting with lots of fresh mango flavor and aroma'.
The drink can be used as a substitute for Champagne in a mimosa/beermosa, suggests the AB InBev owned brewery.
Gilt Lifter
Four Peaks Brewing Company, an Arizona brewery acquired by AB InBev in 2016, has launched the 3.4% Gilt Lifter.
Gilt Lifter contains the malty, toasted notes of the classic Kilt Lifter Scottish ale with half the calories and carbs.
It is brewed, however, to a different recipe to fit the Scottish Light Ale style.
"Gilt Lifter is designed for drinkers looking for a healthier lifestyle option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor," says the brewery. "At only 99 calories per serving, it’s a post-workout pint that won’t ruin your diet, and with 7g of carbohydrates, it can easily be incorporated into a ketogenic lifestyle."
The new revolution of low and no alcohol
With falling alcohol consumption, more mindful drinking and a trend towards premiumization, the stage is set for a bright future for the low and no drinks sector.
The Low 2 No Bev Show is a brand new - and unique - dedicated trade event to give the sector its own voice. Held in London on June 17-18, the show covers everything from low-ABV beers, ciders, wines and spirits to premium soft drinks, cordials and mixers.
