Belgium: Strong special and zero-alcohol beers enjoying growing popularity in Belgiums HoReCa sector
Consumption of zero-alcohol beer in Belgiums HoReCa segment increased by more than 45% in just a year, 7sur7 reported on March 19, citing the Federation of Beverage Distributors (Febed), whose members supply beer to around 14,000 bars, cafes, and restaurants, or half the market in the country.
Although this beer category still holds a very small share of the market (0.35%) its sales are increasing with the nations leading brewers, including AB InBev and Alken-Maes, introducing products in this segment.
In other segments, Febed data shows a decline in consumption of pilsners (-3.8%) and a growing popularity of strong special beers (+4.9%). In Belgiums cafes, pils is still the beer of choice with 32.3% of the market versus 13.4% held by specialty beers.