European Beer Market Shifts Toward Non‑Alcoholic Options

German producer Riegel Bioweine has expanded its range to more than 60 certified alcohol‑free wine alternatives, highlighting the growing consumer appetite for non‑alcoholic drinks. The company cites products such as VINNOCENCE Mousseux and ready‑to‑drink formats like Hugo and Bellini as best‑sellers.

Across Europe, the alcohol‑free beer segment is gaining market share. Improved brewing techniques have turned low‑alcohol and alcohol‑free beers into a distinct category, attracting health‑conscious consumers, drivers, and younger drinkers. Industry reports, including the BarthHaas 2025/26 analysis, show global beer production falling while non‑alcoholic and low‑alcohol sales rise sharply – U.S. sales up 85% and German sales up 8% year‑on‑year.

In Austria, a heatwave has further depressed traditional beer sales. Brewery executives such as Thomas Pachole of Mohren Brauerei note that temperatures above 30 °C act as a “beer‑killer,” with overall beer volumes declining, while mineral‑water consumption rises. Small breweries in the Bregenzerwald region report a modest increase in sales, but the broader trend favors non‑alcoholic alternatives.