With growing demand for non-alcoholic beer options and flavor variety, Chr. Hansen has responded by offering brewers top-notch technology to cater to this lucrative market segment and launched 2 new strains for non-alcoholic brewing.
Sofie Saerens, Senior Commercial Development Manager at Chr. Hansen said, “With new strains in our portfolio, brewers can now offer an even greater variety of flavors to consumers who are seeking non-alcoholic options. Our SmartBev® NEER® technology provides the full beer experience, creating a well-integrated body and mouthfeel that rivals traditional alcoholic beers. Plus, our yeast technology streamlines the brewing process, enabling cost savings and sustainability benefits.”
She added,”We believe that every consumer deserves a great-tasting beer, regardless of their choice to consume alcohol or not. Our new strains, NEER® Poly and NEER® Punch, are a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of flavor in the non-alcoholic beer market. We’re excited to offer brewers the tools they need to meet the growing demand for high-quality, flavorful non-alcoholic options.”
The 2 new strains will add to the SmartBev® NEER® technology range which now comprises 3 distinct Pichia kluyveri yeast strains, each thoroughly selected to bring the full beer experience without the alcohol.
- NEER® Poly – Ideal for those who prefer a more neutral impact of the yeast, allowing the malt and hops to shine in the beer’s flavor profile. Excellent choice for pilsner, stout, and ale beers.
- NEER® Punch – Best suited for a fruit-forward beer, this strain rolls out full ester characters, adding depth and complexity to the flavor. Ideal yeast for IPAs, wheat, and fruit beers.
Consumers are increasingly motivated to explore low/no alcohol beverages due to health and wellness concerns, as well as the diminishing stigma around non-drinkers. Flavor and taste remain crucial factors in consumer acceptance of these beverages, highlighting the importance of offering diverse flavor options to meet market demand. Recent Euromonitor data showed 5% growth (CAGR) for the global non-alcoholic beer market from 2018-22, and is forecast to grow by 7% over the next 5 years (2023-27).
Presently, the most common method of making alcohol-free beer requires brewing full-strength beer as one would with a traditional beer, then removing the alcohol and adding flavoring. Brewing with SmartBev® NEER® transforms wort flavors directly into beer flavors without producing alcohol.
Chr. Hansen’s SmartBev® NEER® technology offers several business benefits from malt and energy savings, to water conservation, accelerated production and swift market entry for new products.
