UK brewers push for relaxed alcohol-free beer definition

The British Beer and Pub Association has warned that strict UK regulations are limiting growth in the no- and low-alcohol beer market.

• The BBPA said over 64 million pints of low- and no-alcohol beer are forecast to be sold this summer, an increase of 8 million from 2025.
• The UK defines alcohol-free beer as 0.05% alcohol by volume or lower, while many other countries use a 0.5% threshold.
• BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said changing the definition to 0.5% would enable greater investment and align the UK with international markets.
• Luke Boase, founder of Lucky Saint, said updating the definition would encourage more people to drink alcohol-free beer.