Home/Blogs/How Is Alcohol-Free Beer Made? Our Step-By-Step Guide
Non-alcoholic beer is more popular than ever up and down the UK, as people are looking for ways to enjoy the great taste of beer without feeling intoxicated, for medical reasons or as an option for driving home sober after a night out.
But many have been skeptical of choosing non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer due to the inferior taste. But in recent years, brewing techniques have become more sophisticated and refined, and the difference in taste is no longer a deal breaker.
But how is alcohol free beer made? There are several ways alcohol free beer can be brewed, so let’s dive in and explore them.
In the UK, alcohol-free beer contains 0.05% ABV or lower, while beers labelled as low alcohol have an ABV between 0.5-1.2%. The ingredients for alcohol-free beer are the same as regular beer, and include:
Breweries create alcohol-free beer because it’s a fantastic alternative for people to choose, whether for health reasons, as a lifestyle choice or for a safe alternative when driving.
While the four main ingredients of alcohol-beer remain the same, the brewing methods are the key difference.
The first method of how alcohol free beer is made is known as dealcoholisation. The beer is brewed like normal and the alcohol is removed afterwards, which can be done through either:
Brewers halt fermentation early, so yeast converts only a small amount of sugar into alcohol. This can be done by lowering the temperature, filtering out yeast or adding pressure to slow yeast activity.
Pros of arrested fermentation include:
Cons of arrested fermentation include:
Brewing alcohol-free beer can also be done by controlling the fermentation process, rather than removing the alcohol afterwards.
Step one involves mashing, where malted barley and hot water are combined, and then crushed to release the fermentable sugars to make the flavour and body of the beer. This is called the wort, which then gets boiled and hops are added for bitterness and stability.
Next, either specialised yeast strains are used, which ferment simple sugars and leave behind maltose, the main sugar in wort, or high temperature mashing is performed to inactivate the enzymes responsible for producing maltose.
Stopping or limiting the fermentation process and the sugars produced result in a much lower alcohol content.
Alcohol-free beer has improved significantly, but it doesn’t taste exactly the same. Removing alcohol can affect body, aroma and mouthfeel, sometimes making it thinner or slightly sweeter. However, modern brewing techniques now better preserve flavour, delivering options that come much close to the complexity and balance of traditional beer.
You’ll see alcohol-free beer on the shelves still containing at least a little bit of alcohol, so is it actually completely alcohol free?
In the UK, alcohol-free beer can legally contain up to 0.05% ABV, while drinks labelled low alcohol may contain up to 1.2% ABV, and both have some key differences. While there are ways to achieve 0.0% ABV beer by skipping the fermentation process, the result is an overly sweet, less complex beverage.
While 0.5% implies there is some alcohol in the beer, the level is really low and your body can process it before it gets into your blood stream. Ripe fruit like bananas, bread, fruit juice, kombucha, cough medicine or mouthwash can contain more than 0.5% alcohol but it doesn’t have to be labelled!
Across the EU, definitions of alcohol-free beer are similar but vary by country. Most alcohol-free beers on the market do contain trace amounts, though still far below traditional beer.
The surge in popularity for low or alcohol-free beer is because people are loving the benefits it can provide.
For health conscious drinkers, alcohol-free beer typically contains fewer calories than regular beer and allows you to enjoy the taste without getting drunk. This makes it a popular choice for drivers, fitness-focused consumers and those embracing mindful drinking. As all beers are 90% water, it can also support better hydration and recovery compared to standard alcoholic options, making it versatile for many lifestyles.
There you have it, the different ways alcohol-free beer can be made. At Birmingham Brewing Company, we have a delectable, refreshing range of alcohol-free beer, including pale ales and stouts. Brewed in Stirchley using the best techniques, buy and experience low-alcohol and alcohol-free beer that tastes just like the real thing.
