AB InBev invests €31m in brewing tech for non-alcoholic beers

By Rachel Arthur

- Last updated on GMT

CoronaCero was launched in 10 European countries last year. Pic: AB InBev.
CoronaCero was launched in 10 European countries last year. Pic: AB InBev.
Global beer giant AB InBev is investing €31m ($34m) in upgrading its Belgian breweries in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Hoegaarden and Leuven: which will help expand its non-alcoholic beer portfolio.

The investment will include optimization of a new de-alcoholizing system used to make Corona Cero, an alcohol-free version of Mexican lager Corona which launched in 10 European markets last year (Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK).

Belgium is one of AB InBev’s top producers for 0.0% ABV beer brands. Alongside Corona Cero, AB InBev brews another six non-alcoholic beers in the country: including options from Hoegaarden and Leffe.

The country also boasts AB InBev’s Global Innovation and Technology Center in Leuven, where many of the non-alcohol brewing techniques used by the company were developed.

The latest investment will also go towards improved bottling capabilities.

“The no-alcohol beers of today are much different from what was available years ago,” said David De Schutter, Global Vice President, GITEC. “The innovative methods and technology developed by our brewers and researchers are creating the next generation of refreshing, great tasting, no-alcohol beers for people to enjoy on any occasion.”

AB InBev leuven inset
Plant Director Olivier Maillet (left) describes no-alcohol brewing improvements at the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven, Belgium to Jan Spooren, Provincial Governor of Flemish Brabant. Pic: AB InBev

Globally, non-alcoholic beer is one of the industry’s fastest-growing beer categories, and AB InBev has a portfolio of 30 brands available in 42 countries.

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