World: AB InBev among brewers focusing on alcohol-free beers

Anheuser-Busch InBev is among brewers focusing on alcohol-free beers as more consumers are looking for healthier drinks that won't affect their energy levels.

Heineken said last week that sales of its low and no-alcohol ranges grew by double digits in Europe, the Wall Street Journal reports. Heineken launched a zero-percent version of its signature brand in May.

Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch InBev previously said it wants a fifth of its beer sales to come from low or no-alcohol brews by 2025, up from the current 7 percent. AB InBev previously committed $1 billion to efforts to reduce alcohol abuse and will spend much more than that on the development of new low alcohol products, of up to 3.5 percent alcohol, or no-alcohol products, containing 0.5 percent or lower.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the focus on alcohol-free beers is partly a public relations move, to show the brewers' commitment to responsible drinking, but also makes business sense. Alcohol-free beer sells at a similar price point to traditional brews and carries a lower tax.