When is National Nonalcoholic Beer Day? This day will take place on October 2 of each calendar year.
What is National Nonalcoholic Beer Day? Non-Alcoholic Beer Day is a great reason to try a non-alcoholic craft beer and raise a glass to Sober October! Low or no-alcohol beer originated in the U.S. during the Prohibition era (1920s) and was referred to as “near beer” – but it could actually be called “nearly nothing beer,” for how flavorful it wasn’t. Near beer could not be labeled as beer and was officially classified as a “cereal beverage.”
Fast-forward nearly 100 years to 2016, when two Brits, Rob Fink and James Kindred, started Big Drop Brewing Co. in England. It is the first brewery in the world dedicated exclusively to making non-alcoholic beer. While both men still enjoy full-strength beers, they chose to create a range of delicious NA craft brews for those who want big flavor but not the big buzz. Data shows the global NA beer market notching $9.6 billion in sales in 2019 and is forecast to reach $29 billion by 2026. We’ll drink to that!
Why is this day being celebrated or observed? Beer is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and now that there are delicious non-alcoholic craft beers available, it’s easy to enjoy a beer without the buzz anytime! Non-alcoholic beers can be made in different ways, but the most flavorful ones are brewed naturally to .5% alcohol by volume or less, to retain flavor. Special yeasts which don’t convert too much of the grain sugars to alcohol during fermentation lead to excellent taste and texture. All of this means NA craft beers can now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with full-strength beers! More and more NA brews are being recognized with top awards at beer competitions all over the world—sometimes even beating full-strength beers!
How should this day be celebrated or observed? Stock up on non-alcoholic brews and have a tasting with friends. See how tasty non-alcoholic beers can be! If you like to drink both NA and full-strength brews, trying tasting both types side-by-side. Share your discoveries and impressions on social media, tagging @nonalcoholicbeerday
Who created this day? This day was created in May 2021 by Big Drop Brewing Co.