AB InBev Sees Non-Alcoholic Beer Volume Surge
Supermarket sales of non-alcoholic beer rose 25 per cent in 2026, driven by growing consumer interest in lower-alcohol options.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Beer
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AB InBev reported that non-alcoholic beer supermarket volume grew 25 per cent in 2026. The brewer plans to keep focusing on innovation and a more diverse non-alcoholic range.
Why it matters
The growth reflects a broader shift in which consumers are becoming more conscious of their alcohol intake while still seeking variety. For brewers, the category is becoming a significant source of expansion.
Non-alcoholic beer accounted for almost two-thirds of growth in the Belgian beer market, and its supermarket share in Belgium rose from 3.2 per cent in 2021 to 6.7 per cent in 2026. In the Netherlands, the category reached a 12.6 per cent market share.
The players
AB InBev
AB InBev is the world's largest brewing company, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and owner of brands including Corona and Budweiser.
The details
AB InBev currently offers eight non-alcoholic beers, and Corona Cero volume grew more than 10 per cent in Belgian supermarkets during the first nine months of 2026. The company's research centre in Leuven is developing low-alcohol brewing techniques, including SmartYeast, which produces less alcohol, and a 'Simmer & Strip' process designed to preserve aromas.
Timeline
2021: Non-alcoholic beer held a 3.2 per cent share of Belgian supermarket sales.
First nine months of 2026: Corona Cero volume grew more than 10 per cent in Belgium.
2026: Non-alcoholic beer supermarket volume grew 25 per cent.
November 5, 2026: AB InBev released figures on non-alcoholic beer growth.
Culture Shift
Belgian supermarket non-alcoholic beer share more than doubled from 3.2 per cent in 2021 to 6.7 per cent in 2026, a trend that extends the category's rise in the Netherlands, where it reached 12.6 per cent. The shift signals a durable move toward lower-alcohol options rather than a short-lived fad.
Readers who drink beer may find more non-alcoholic options on supermarket shelves as brewers expand their ranges. The lower-alcohol category is also growing, with AB InBev citing potential in beers between 0.5 and 3.5 per cent alcohol content.
The takeaway
The growth of non-alcoholic beer suggests that choice and moderation are becoming mainstream priorities for beer drinkers, not niche preferences. Shoppers looking to reduce alcohol intake now have more options than they did a few years ago.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in our Beer section for context on the brewing industry's changing product lineup.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BelgaShare.
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