2025 is a Record Year for the No and Low Beer Market With 200 Million Pints Sold, New BBPA Figures Reveal

• No and low beer now accounts for almost 3% of the UK’s total beer market, British Beer and Pub Association reveals

• 200 million pints of no and low ABV beers are expected to be drunk by the end of 2025, with 22 million pints expected to be poured over the festive period alone

• The BBPA calls on the government to support innovation within the sector through changing the definition of alcohol free from 0.05% to 0.5% ABV

This year has been the most successful year on record for the no and low beer market, new research from the British Beer and Pub Association has revealed.   

Whilst nearly 170 million no and low ABV beers were drunk last year, the trade association predicts that Brits will consume 200 million by the end of the year – with 22 million pints expected to be poured in December alone.  

This is an increase of nearly 20% on 2024 and reflects the sub-sector's impressive growth, which now accounts for 2.7% of the UK’s total beer market.  

The new figures further support recent statistics reported by Drinkaware that almost one in two drinkers consumed no and low alcohol in the last 12 months (up from 22% in 2021). 

The BBPA said the boom has been made possible by the sector adapting to trends and producing more no and low options than ever before, which supports public health goals.  

Despite this strong growth, the BBPA warns progress is being held back by the UK’s restrictive definition of “alcohol free”.  

Currently, a beer must be below 0.05% ABV to be classified as alcohol free, a stricter definition than many other countries where the limit is 0.5%.  

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the BBPA, said: “The pub has always been about more than getting a drink and it is inspiring to see so many people choosing to moderate whilst still celebrating the occasion this festive season. 

“No and low beer has become one of the sector’s greatest success stories, and its growth shows just how our well industry reacts and responds to emerging trends.  

“That is why the Government must recognise the importance of empowering people to make those choices. Updating the definition of alcohol free to 0.5% ABV would unlock new investment, bring us in line with international markets and give customers more options when they want to moderate. It is a win for everyone.”  

Luke Boase, founder of Lucky Saint, said:  “We’ve seen record sales with more people buying Lucky Saint than ever before. We’re seeing this across every month of the year, it’s become engrained as part of how people are drinking.
 

“2026 is the year the Government should finally change the alcohol-free descriptor to 0.5% ABV, as it is across Europe and much of the rest of the world.  

“We’ve seen how this change encourages greater take up of alcohol-free products, and the positive impact it has on the health of a nation.” 

Clair Preston-Beer, Greene King’s chief operating officer, said: “Pubs really are the place to be over the festive season.  

“The atmosphere is amazing as people gather to celebrate, and we work hard to serve our customers a great choice of food, drinks and atmosphere over this time.

“Our research has found that lifestyle choices are prompting one in three pubgoers to moderate their drinking and select low and no alcohol alternatives when they are out. Greene King’s pubs are meeting this demand with an even bigger choice of drinks across beers, ciders, fizz, and cocktails, for non-drinkers or occasional drinkers.” 

The No and Low category has witnessed a volume growth of 750% since 2013 as more pubs than ever are welcoming customers that are choosing to moderate and brewers invest and innovate.  

Notes to Editors 

The 2025 Drinkaware monitor shows 45% of people have now consumed no and low alcohol drinks in the last 12 months, up from 22% in 2021.

Greene King's Recent Research: 

• Total sales of alcohol-free drinks are up 36% over the past 12 months across Greene King’s 1,600 managed pubs. Over 70% of these sales are packaged 0.0% beer and cider. 

• Draught 0.0% beer has seen strong growth with almost a quarter of managed pubs now serving an alcohol-free beer on draught. 

• The innovation in drinks styles and choices has seen alcohol-free cocktails and wines become the second largest category in alcohol-free drinks, accounting for 16% sales of the Low & No alcohol category. 

• Greene King pubs has worked in partnership with Asahi UK and the Department for Transport’s THINK! Campaign to offer customers a free Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% when they show their car keys at the bar throughout December 

Reports about AB InBev’s latest investment in No and Low brewing can be found in the Guardian, Times, and Grocer

Contact: aedwards@beerandpub.com

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