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Alcohol free beer sales grow by 32% in first three months of 2025

  • Sales of low and no alcohol beers and ciders have increased by 32% in Q1, compared to the same period in 2024 – with over 270,000 sold across Stonegate’s 4,500 pubs and bars
  • London sees most demand for alcohol free beers and ciders, accounting for over a quarter of sales across the UK this year – with 25–34-year-olds driving most demand
  • Low alcohol beer and cider sales typically peak late afternoon and early evening, with a quarter of all sales occurring between 5-7pm
  • Guinness 0% tops the list of best performing low alcohol beers, followed by Heineken 0.0%, Old Mout Berries 0%, Peroni Nastro and Days Lager 0%
  • The research follows Heineken recently marking its 1,000th 0.0% tap in the UK

New analysis of sales data from Stonegate Group has revealed an increase in demand for low and no alcohol beers and ciders with sales up by 32% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period last year.  In total 271,000 low and alcohol-free beers and ciders have been sold across Stonegate’s pub and bar estate in the first few months in 2025 alone.

Furthermore, data from Stonegate’s MiXR app has revealed that low and no alcohol drinks are in most demand from 25-34 year olds – accounting for 21% of sales, compared to 12% of total draught. By comparison, young adults aged 18-24 only account for 14% of low and no alcohol beer sales, yet account for 24% of total draught beer sales. Stonegate’s research has also found that demand for low and no alcohol sales peaks on Saturdays, with nearly a quarter of sales taking place in late afternoon and early evening, between 5pm and 7pm.

 

YTD

 (MiXR sales)

18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 or over
Low / No 14% 21% 18% 16% 18% 14%
Total Draught 24% 12% 13% 16% 21% 15%

Source: Stonegate MiXR

Guinness 0% tops the list of best performing low alcohol beers, closely followed by Heineken 0.0%. Heineken recently marked its 1,000th 0.0% tap in the UK, with the historic 1,000th tap installed Stonegate’s Clerk & Well Pub in London, which was unveiled by Welsh footballing legend and Heineken’s 0.0 ambassador Gareth Bale.

Top 5 low alcohol beers
Guinness 0%
Heineken 0% Btl
Old Mout Berries 0%
Peroni Nastro Azzuro 0%
Days Lager 0%

Across the regions, London accounts for the largest proportion of low and no alcohol sales at 27% – compared to 20% of total draught beer sales.

Regional sales

YTD (Total sales) % share of Low / No beer % share of total draught beer
East 7% 6%
East Midlands 6% 6%
London 27% 20%
North East 5% 7%
North West 11% 13%
Scotland 5% 4%
South East 11% 10%
South West 7% 7%
Wales 4% 4%
West Midlands 7% 8%
Yorkshire and The Humber 11% 15%

Recognising the importance of further enhancing its ‘low and no’ range, Stonegate Group entered an innovative partnership with Days Brewery in 2024, helping a young independent business scale quickly and sustainably in the hospitality industry. Days Lager, made in Scotland with locally sourced ingredients, is now available in most of Stonegate’s Managed and Craft Union venues nationwide.

David McDowall, CEO at Stonegate Group, said: “There has clearly been a growing demand from our guests for low and no alcohol options in recent years, but what we are seeing now is the evolution of the trend into a fundamental shift in drinking habits, which is here to stay. For some time, we’ve seen our guests going out earlier and demanding more from their experiences and nights out, but the depth of our data shows low and alcohol-free drinks are growing in popularity up and down the country.  

“Our mission is bringing people together through our passion for great pubs, bars and venues and we are proud to be an inclusive pub group that champions choice. We recognise that our guests are increasingly looking for low and no alcohol beers that don’t compromise on taste, so its hugely important for us to have a quality range of beers available – with an ever-growing number of 0% beers on tap. Fundamentally it’s all about choice and showing that even as guest trends and habits change, the great British pub is still the place for people to come together, as we have done in the UK for centuries.”

The Talisman reopens to Wedding bells as local couple celebrate new life in revitalised pub!

The Talisman in Tunstall has received a new lease of life thanks to a significant investment from Craft Union pub company and a special event due to take place there.

Local couple, Cathy and Mark were determined to support local businesses by holding their wedding reception at this much-loved local, which is a stone’s throw from Christchurch where they plan to tie-the-knot this month. Both have fond memories of the pub and are delighted that it has received a breath of fresh of air in the form of this investment and revamp.

Cathy said: “Community is very important to us, and having our Reception at the Talisman means that we are celebrating our wedding but also our roots and the people who have supported us. We were so pleased to hear that it has had this big up-grade. Everyone will benefit.” 

The pub’s function room will provide the perfect backdrop to festivities as it has been carefully restored to its former glory with a fresh paint job and a generous helping of TLC.

Eighty to one hundred family and friends are expected to attend the event and the Talisman’s garden is a lovely spot to provide respite away from the crowd. Equally beautiful are Cathy’s plans for flower arrangements on the day, which she is carefully creating herself. Matt Smith Area Manager for Craft Union said:

“The Talisman has always been an important community pub that brings people together and celebrates the individuals that make it a home from home. I’m very proud of the investment revamp, which will see the pub really fulfil its potential.”

He continued: “The fact that we can help bring this pub back to the community through improvements and renovations and celebrate its opening alongside Cathy and Mark’s nuptials is a real boon! We are so happy that we can add to the experience of their big day.”

Guests popping into the pub will find a brighter atmosphere all round, as the bar area is now a refreshing combination of cream and light green. On top of this, a wider range of drinks products will be available to customers wishing to sip something delicious while socialising or taking in some live sports.

New TV screens have been installed to the downstairs area and the entertainment offering will continue as a programme of regular live music comes to the pub! This will be kicked-off during the launch-party weekend of the 28th and 29th of May as a live singer will grace the Talisman’s small stage and Area Manager, Matt Smith will host a casino evening on the Sunday 29th.

Everyone is welcome to the launch weekend on the 28th and 29th of May. For more information and news about the Talisman, see the pub’s social media and website.

ENDS