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
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.