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The Non-Alcoholic Beer Boom: Why We're All Paying Attention

If you told me five years ago that non-alcoholic beer would be one of the fastest growing categories in craft brewing, I would’ve laughed and offered you a pint. But here we are in 2025, and folks, this NA thing? It’s real. And it’s big.

We’ve seen a major shift in how people drink. It’s not just about cutting back anymore. It’s about choosing balance without giving up flavor. Whether it’s the weekday crowd grabbing a post-run brew or someone who just loves the taste without the buzz, non-alcoholic beer has gone from a joke to a juggernaut.

So let’s talk about why craft brewers like us should care, how to brew the good stuff, and a killer yeast that makes it easier than ever.

Why NA Beer is Worth a Look

Here’s the deal. NA beer is growing like wild. On-premise sales in 2025 are already up over 26 percent, and the year’s not even over. Customers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, are choosing better-for-you options, but they still want craft quality.

Some stats worth raising a glass to:

  • 61% of drinkers say they’d grab an NA version of their favorite beer

  • 57% would stick around longer at a taproom if there were good NA options

  • Deschutes says 6% of their volume is now NA and they’re planning to brew 25,000 barrels of it this year

  • Athletic Brewing, the king of NA, is doing serious volume and ranking among the top craft breweries in the country

This isn't a flash in the pan. It’s a whole new category. And it’s one that lets us reach new customers, create new drinking occasions, and stay ahead of the game.

How We're Brewing It: Meet SafBrew™ LA-01

We’ve been testing out a dry yeast from Fermentis called SafBrew™ LA-01, and let me tell you; it’s a game changer for brewing non-alcoholic beer.

This yeast is special. It's a Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. chevalieri strain, which means it doesn’t ferment maltose or maltotriose only the simple sugars like glucose and fructose. That means you can brew a full-bodied, flavorful beer that stays under 0.5% ABV right out of the tank.

Why we dig it:

  • It’s super clean with low ester and fusel alcohol production

  • Keeps alcohol levels low without stripping out flavor

  • Doesn’t require any fancy de-alcoholization equipment

  • Works great in the 15 to 25°C range

  • Just dose 50 to 80 grams per hectoliter and you’re off

Now, there’s still sugar left in the final beer, so you'll need to pasteurize or sterile filter. And you’re not gonna re-pitch this one. But for making NA beers without sacrificing what makes craft beer craft, it hits the mark.

Grab a 500g brick of LA-01 here →

Breweries Leading the Way

If you’re thinking this is still just a niche thing, check out what some of the big names are doing:

1. Athletic Brewing Co.

Started in 2017 and now leading the global charge. They’ve taken over the NA beer game with flagship beers like Run Wild IPA and Free Wave Hazy IPA. They even won Supreme Champion at the International Beer Challenge. They opened a big facility in San Diego and are brewing at a scale most of us only dream about.

2. Deschutes Brewery

This one’s a household name already, but now they’re diving deep into NA. Six percent of their production is non-alcoholic, and they’re looking to push that even further this year. It’s a strategic move that’s clearly paying off.

3. Go Brewing

Located out in Naperville, Illinois, Go Brewing is a fully non-alcoholic brewery with its own taproom. They’ve gone from small startup to distributing in 20 states and counting. They’re proof you don’t need to be big to go bold in the NA space.

Final Thoughts from One Brewer to Another

Look, I’m not saying drop your IPAs or stop barrel aging that barleywine. But if you’re not at least experimenting with NA beer, you’re missing out on one of the biggest growth opportunities in our industry.

It’s easier than ever to get started. You don’t need a centrifuge or a de-alk machine, just good ingredients, a solid process, and a yeast like SafBrew™ LA-01 that’s made for the job.

Craft beer has always been about innovation, flavor, and community. Non-alcoholic beer can hit all three. Let’s meet the moment and make something great.