There used to be two types of people: those who drank alcohol and those who did not. In recent years, however, a new type of consumer has emerged: the "sober-curious".
A sober-curious consumer is one who decides to reduce his or her alcohol consumption, in particular by taking advantage of the many alcohol-free alternatives. Without stopping all consumption of their favourite alcoholic beverages, this new consumer is looking to discover new quality products that they can enjoy at similar times of consumption (aperitifs, evenings, etc.).
These consumers are increasingly numerous.
In Australia, the rate of 20-29 year olds who have abstained from alcohol has risen from 8.9% to 22% in a few years. In France, the success of the Dry January, which convinced more than one in ten French people in 2021, is proof of this new social phenomenon. According to the ISWR, in the 10 key markets for no-low products (France, Australia, United States, etc.), non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks are expected to increase by 31% by 2024.
To meet this new demand, many alcohol-free alternatives are appearing on the market: beers, wines, spirits, etc. Beer brewers of all sizes are developing their alcohol-free range, while wine producers are creating lighter products (at 5% for example) or even entirely alcohol-free. Spirits companies are also present on the no-low market with 0% products or light spirits and are also innovating with mocktails or flavoured products.
In order to create these products, different techniques exist. However, the most efficient and qualitative one is still dealcoholisation. By using dealcoholisation technologies, producers can create lighter drinks adapted to this new market, while keeping the know-how and the identity of the original product.
However, the use of these technologies is still complex and it is important for producers to call on the services of dealcoholisation professionals, such as B&S Tech, to create innovative alcohol-free solutions.