Alcohol-free and low-alcohol beer now holds 8 to 9 percent of total beer sales in the Netherlands. The category grew 14 percent year-over-year, according to Nederlandse Brouwers.
The industry set a target of 10 percent market share by 2030. They’re running ahead of schedule.
Specialty alcohol-free beers grew 27.5 percent. That’s nearly double the broader category. Nederlandse Brouwers credits taste improvements. The difference between alcohol-free and regular beer has become difficult to notice.
Traditional cafés keep closing. The number dropped from 10,240 to 10,038 over the past year. Back in 2013, there were over 12,800.
Gen Z prefers coffee bars. Traditional drinking establishments are less appealing to younger consumers.
Nederlandse Brouwers represents the fifteen largest breweries in the Netherlands. Development of alcohol-free options continues.
The 2030 goal stays in place for now.
