No Alcohol No Sweat

Non-alcoholic beer is continually gaining popularity. It’s often healthier than traditional beers and can make more people feel included in drinking occasions. But with increased popularity comes increased attention on its production practices. That’s only natural. It might be better for your health than traditional, alcoholic beer, but is it any better for the environment? Is sustainable non-alcoholic beer achievable?

Brewing non-alcoholic beer: The processes and their impact

Brewing non-alcoholic beer involves more than just skipping alcohol. While traditional brewing relies on natural fermentation, creating non-alcoholic varieties often requires additional steps, which can significantly affect their carbon footprint. For instance:

1. Halting fermentation early
   • Yeast activity is stopped before significant alcohol is produced.
   • Pros: Requires fewer resources and less energy than full fermentation.
   • Cons: Can limit flavour complexity, pushing some brands to opt for more energy-intensive processes.
     
2. Dealcoholisation (i.e. removing the alcohol post-fermentation)
   • Vacuum distillation: Alcohol is removed by heating the beer at low pressure. While effective, this process is energy-intensive due to the need for specialised equipment.
   • Reverse osmosis: Beer is filtered through a membrane, separating alcohol from the liquid. Though it conserves flavour, the equipment’s energy demands can be high.
   • Spinning cone technology: Uses centrifugal force to separate alcohol at lower temperatures, reducing flavour loss but still requiring significant energy.
     
3. Biological alternatives
   • Some breweries use yeast strains that produce minimal alcohol naturally.
   • This reduces the need for energy-heavy post-production processes, offering a more sustainable option. Something to look for on the label if you’e after sustainable non-alcoholic beer, then.

Resource use: water and energy

Beer production is notoriously water-intensive. On average, producing one litre of beer requires 3–5 litres of water. Non-alcoholic beers often fall on the higher end of this spectrum due to the additional steps in dealcoholisation or flavour enhancement.

The additional processing for non-alcoholic beer, especially with advanced methods like reverse osmosis or vacuum distillation, can increase energy consumption by 30–40% compared to regular beer. Breweries that rely on fossil fuels for their operations add significantly to their carbon emissions. Look for those that feature renewable energy use as part of their “sell”.

Packaging and distribution

Packaging is one of the largest contributors to a beer’s environmental impact – whether alcoholic or not. While the contents differ, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beers often use identical packaging, including single-use glass bottles, cans and plastic wrap. There are differences between vessels, however:

• Cans: Aluminium production is energy-intensive, but cans are lightweight and highly recyclable.
• Glass bottles: Reusable but heavier to transport, increasing carbon emissions during distribution.
• Kegs and growlers: Offer the most sustainable solution for bulk consumption, reducing packaging waste.

Transportation and logistics is another factor. Many non-alcoholic beers are imported, especially in markets where domestic options are limited. The longer the supply chain, the higher the emissions from transporting these products. Buying local can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your beer.

The rise of sustainable non-alcoholic beer brewing practices

Some breweries are leading the way with innovative approaches to minimise their environmental impact. Look for brands that feature emissions offsets, carbon-neutrality in their production facilities, circular packaging, water-saving techniques and, you know, a bit of a social conscience. For example, American brand Athletic Brewing Co. donates 2% of sales to environmental initiatives.

Consumer choices: How you can make a difference

Even as breweries strive to reduce their carbon footprints, consumers can play a critical role in supporting sustainability. Mindful drinking nowadays means more than just opting for the booze-free option. It means making conscious, informed choices about what you buy. So, if you want to support the growth of sustainable non-alcoholic beer, there are a few things you, as a consumer, can do.

• Support local: Opt for local brands to reduce transportation emissions.
• Look for certifications: Seek out B-Corp, Carbon Neutral, or organic certifications on labels.
• Choose eco-friendly packaging: Recyclable cans or refillable growlers are more sustainable than single-use bottles.
• Drink mindfully: Buy in bulk or large containers to minimise waste.

_{Image credit: Markus Spiske}