Why Is Non-Alcoholic Beer So Expensive?

More goes into that non-alcoholic beer than you might imagine

At first glance, one might think that non-alcoholic (NA) beer is just regular beer without the alcohol, but the reality is much more complex. The process of creating non-alcoholic beer can be quite technical and specialized, often requiring custom and expensive equipment. Additionally, while there is an abundance of suppliers, packers, and facilities for traditional beer, the market for NA beer is significantly smaller. This means that brands producing non-alcoholic beer often have to put in extra effort—and potentially spend more—to locate the facilities needed for distillation and bottling. Consequently, this leads to higher prices for consumers, along with the marketing costs necessary to encourage drinkers to try NA beer.

The ingredients used in many cases are also of premium quality. For instance, all the grains in Athletic Brewing's NA beer are organic, which is uncommon in traditional brewing, as brands aim to attract health-conscious consumers. Producers of non-alcoholic beverages must be selective about their ingredients and production methods to craft a truly exceptional drink. After all, without the numbing effects of alcohol, consumers are more attuned to the quality and flavor of each sip.

Only time will reveal whether customers will continue to spend on these increasingly expensive non-alcoholic options. The NA beverage market is still in its infancy, but for now, even the higher price points do not seem to deter America's growing appetite for alcohol-free beer.