Non-alcoholic beer

Under German practice, non-alcoholic beer may contain at most 0.5 percent ABV, as governed by food law. It is therefore not entirely alcohol-free but contains residual alcohol in small amounts. Beer with 0.0 percent usually carries the designation “0.0 %”.

It is made either by removing alcohol after fermentation or by fermentation management with special yeasts or interrupted fermentation. Non-alcoholic beers exist as Pils, wheat beer, Helles, Radler or IPA. They often taste somewhat sweeter and maltier than alcoholic beers. They are popular as thirst quenchers and as an alternative when driving or in situations where alcohol should not play a role. The currently valid regulations apply.