UK: Heineken UK to launch non-alcoholic version of its flagship lager

Heineken UK is launching a new, non-alcoholic version of its flagship lager, The Morning Advertiser reported.

Heineken 0.0 will be available in 330ml bottles across the on-trade from this month onwards, accompanied by a £2.5 mln marketing push. Each bottle contains 69 calories.

Heineken premium brands director David Lette said: “Initial feedback from both consumers and customers has been overwhelmingly positive, with a strong preference shown towards Heineken 0.0 versus other alcohol-free beers.”

“With a high purchase intent, Heineken 0.0 will not only drive frequency with current beer drinkers, but also bring new drinkers to the category by attracting health-conscious younger consumers who are drinking less or abstaining altogether, by delivering a great tasting beer from a brand that they’re proud to be seen with,” he added.

This makes Heineken the latest brewer to stake a claim on the burgeoning low and non-alcoholic beer market, after AB InBev announced last year it would expand its alcohol-free range and work to ensure 20% of its sales come from the category by 2020.

Lette cited research by the company that claimed only 47% of customers were currently satisfied with the range of low and non-alcoholic beers available.

Additionally, 50% of consumers were now actively moderating their alcohol intake, he said.

In January, Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn launched Innis & None, a non-alcoholic pale ale designed to capitalise on an increasing number of customers giving up alcohol for 'Dry January'.

Brewing giant AB InBev has committed to making at least 20% of its beers 3.5% ABV or lower by 2025 as part of its Global Smart Drinking Goals.

During an exclusive interview on the eve of its acquisition of rival firm SABMiller, AB InBev’s Northern European boss Jason Warner told The Morning Advertiser: “It’s going to manifest itself with much more choice when it comes to non-alcoholic beer – remove the alcohol and you expand the occasions and opportunities.”

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .