Belgium: AB InBev investing in upgrade of its Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Hoegaarden and Leuven breweries to expand non-alcoholic beer portfolio
Global beer giant AB InBev is investing €31m ($34m) in upgrading its Belgian breweries in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Hoegaarden and Leuven: which will help expand its non-alcoholic beer portfolio, BeverageDaily.com reported on July 11.
The investment will include optimization of a new de-alcoholizing system used to make Corona Cero, an alcohol-free version of Mexican lager Corona which launched in 10 European markets last year (Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK).
Belgium is one of AB InBev’s top producers for 0.0% ABV beer brands. Alongside Corona Cero, AB InBev brews another six non-alcoholic beers in the country: including options from Hoegaarden and Leffe.
The country also boasts AB InBev’s Global Innovation and Technology Center in Leuven, where many of the non-alcohol brewing techniques used by the company were developed.
The latest investment will also go towards improved bottling capabilities.
“The no-alcohol beers of today are much different from what was available years ago,” said David De Schutter, Global Vice President, GITEC. “The innovative methods and technology developed by our brewers and researchers are creating the next generation of refreshing, great tasting, no-alcohol beers for people to enjoy on any occasion.”
Globally, non-alcoholic beer is one of the industry’s fastest-growing beer categories, and AB InBev has a portfolio of 30 brands available in 42 countries.
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