More consumers reaching for alcohol-free beer, wines and spirits
Various studies over the past two years have shown that there was a worldwide increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic because many people were worried and stressed as they self-isolated due to COVID-19.
But now, it appears there is a new trend happening as sales statistics show there has been an increase in the purchases of alcohol-free beer, wine and spirits.
“You can have non-alcoholic beers now that are so close to the real thing that you could probably fool someone in a taste test," said Sarah Kate, an alcohol-free sommelier, who is also the founder of the website, Some Good Clean Fun.
Kate promotes an alcohol-free and healthy lifestyle and said a global survey by Bacardi Limited, the world's largest privately held spirits company, found that 58 per cent of consumers are now drinking beverages that contain low or no alcohol for personal and mental health reasons.
Kate said it includes not only non-alcoholic beers and wines but also spirits such as whiskeys and bourbons.
“There has been a 30 per cent increase in non-alcoholic beer sales in the U.S. last year so I don’t see this trend slowing down anytime soon,” said Kate.
The Junction Craft Brewery in Toronto makes many specialty craft beers, but they're also expanding into the non-alcoholic beer market. The company brews Rival and Gruvi brands and they come in many craft flavours like Pale Ales and Juicy IPAs.
Stuart Wheldon, the CEO of Junction Craft Brewery said that there is a surge in interest in non-alcoholic beers and it's not just among pregnant women or designated drivers. Health conscious consumers are looking for alcohol-free options that still taste great.
"They are excited to find non-alcoholic beers that look like craft beers as well as having that same experience, a brand they can get behind. We are seeing Canadian brands pop up in the non-alcoholic space that have that craft beer feel,” said Wheldon.
There is an excise tax on non-alcoholic beer that the industry has long felt has been unfair. It is $2.82 a hectolitre (100 litres). David Clement is the North American Affairs manager for the Consumer Choice Center in Ottawa that advocates on behalf of consumers.
Clement said that in the last federal budget it was announced that they were going to repeal the excise tax on non-alcoholic beer as of July 1, which he believes is the right decision.
“There is no alcohol related harm in non-alcohol related products, so it didn't make sense from our perspective to have any excise taxes on anything non-alcoholic because it doesn't carry the same risks," said Clement.
As more people consider alcohol free products, more breweries will be getting on board and it's expected to grow to a global four billion dollar industry over the next three years.
“You’re going to see a lot of interesting non-alcoholic beers and complimentary type products over the next few years," said Wheldon.
If you're buying alcohol-free products you still need to check the labels as some come with absolutely zero per cent alcohol while others may contain a half of one per cent. It's not much, but it may help with your buying decision.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.