SVP Strategic Sales & Partnerships
Non-Alcoholic Beer Trends: Why the Category Is Here to Stay
Non-alcoholic beer is no longer a niche category sitting quietly on the sidelines—it’s one of the fastest-growing segments in the global beverage industry. Once primarily associated with limited options and lower expectations, today’s non-alcoholic offerings are reshaping how consumers think about beer, flavor, and social drinking.
Fueled by shifting consumer behaviors—especially among Gen Z and health-conscious drinkers—non-alcoholic beer is moving beyond its traditional role as a “designated driver” alternative. Instead, it’s becoming a deliberate, premium choice for a wide range of occasions, from casual social gatherings to everyday consumption.
But what’s really behind this growth? Is it simply a reflection of wellness trends and initiatives like Dry January, or is something bigger happening within the category?
In this article, we’ll explore how non-alcoholic beer is evolving through the lens of real consumer behavior, powered by data from Untappd. We’ll break down:
- The key growth trends shaping the category
- How consumer preferences are shifting across styles and flavor profiles
- The rise of premiumization in non-alcoholic beer
- Which breweries and brands are leading the way
- And the top-performing non-alcoholic beers gaining traction today
Whether you’re a brewery, retailer, or simply curious about where the industry is headed, this data-driven look at non-alcoholic beer trends will give you a clear picture of why this category isn’t just growing—it’s here to stay.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beer
What Is Driving the Growth of Non-Alcoholic Beer?
Untappd Data: A Unique Look at Consumer Behavior
By the Numbers: Non-Alcoholic Beer Growth Trends
Style Evolution: Beyond Lager
Premiumization of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Top Performing Non-Alcoholic Breweries
Top Non-Alcoholic Beers to Watch
Conclusion: The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Introduction: The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Non-alcoholic beer has experienced explosive growth in recent years, evolving from a niche alternative into a must-have offering for breweries and retailers alike.
Driven largely by Gen Z consumers, increased health awareness, and changing social habits, the category is no longer limited to “designated driver” occasions. Instead, it’s becoming a premium, intentional choice.
But what’s really fueling this growth? Is it purely functional—or is non-alcoholic beer entering a new era of flavor, quality, and experience?
What Is Driving the Growth of Non-Alcoholic Beer?
Several macro trends are shaping the rise of non-alcoholic beer:
- Health-conscious lifestyles and mindful drinking habits
- Increased participation in movements like Dry January
- Changing preferences among younger consumers
- A growing demand for high-quality, flavorful alternatives
What was once a compromise is now becoming a preferred option in many drinking occasions.
Untappd Data: A Unique Look at Consumer Behavior
Untappd is a global social platform with over 12 million users, originally built for craft beer enthusiasts and now expanded to include all beverage categories—beer, wine, spirits, and RTDs.
Users can discover, rate, and share drinks, contributing to a dataset of more than 1.5 billion consumption moments. This data powers insights that help breweries, retailers, and brands:
- Identify emerging trends
- Track distribution and demand
- Understand evolving consumer preferences
By the Numbers: Non-Alcoholic Beer Growth Trends
Untappd check-in data reveals just how quickly the category is expanding:
- 5.5x growth in non-alcoholic beer adoption over the past 7 years
- 6.8x growth spike during Dry January
- Growth that outpaces global non-alcoholic beer volume trends
This isn’t just seasonal curiosity—it’s sustained, long-term momentum.
Style Evolution: Beyond Lager
While lager still dominates the non-alcoholic category, the past several years have introduced a wave of innovation and diversification.
Fast-growing styles include:
- IPA (India Pale Ale)
- Stout
- Sour
These emerging styles are steadily taking share from traditional options like:
- Lager
- Weizen
- Radler
While all styles are growing in absolute terms, consumer interest is shifting toward more expressive and flavor-forward profiles.
Top Performing Non-Alcoholic Breweries
Based on Untappd data, several breweries are standing out across growth and ratings:
Top Growth – Large Brewers
- Athletic Brewing
- De Koningshoeven
- Guinness
- Grupo Modelo
Top Growth – Craft Brewers
- Lowlander Botanical Beer
- Funky Fluid
- VandeStreek Bier
Top Rating Increase – Large Brewers
- Heineken
- Guinness
- Grupo Modelo
Top Rated – Craft Brewers
- Funky Fluid
- Untitled Art
- Omnipollo
Top Non-Alcoholic Beers to Watch
These non-alcoholic beers are currently performing exceptionally well within the Untappd community:
- Accountability Buddy (White Dog) – 3.8
- All In (Other Half) – 3.77
- Nolia (Nolia) – 3.77
- Unplugged 0.5 (Rock City Brewing) – 3.74
These ratings reinforce a key takeaway: non-alcoholic doesn’t mean lower quality.
Conclusion: The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Non-alcoholic beer is no longer a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in the beverage industry.
What started as a functional alternative is now:
- A premium product category
- A space for innovation and craft
- A key revenue driver for breweries and retailers
As consumer expectations continue to rise, brands that invest in quality, variety, and experience will be best positioned to win.
Start Exploring Non-Alcoholic Beer
Non-alcoholic doesn’t have to be boring.
Download Untappd or visit Untappd to discover top-rated non-alcoholic beers and start your own journey.
Want Deeper Insights?
If you’re interested in a custom deep dive for your brewery or brand, reach out to the Untappd team to unlock more data-driven insights.
Who is Tom Maneschijn?
Over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and brewing industry, from finance to digital transformation and strategic sales. In the past six years building Untappd partnerships internationally across Marketing, Data & Insights, Digital Menus, and E-commerce.
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