Non-alcoholic beer has been popular internationally for quite some time. More recently, the popularity of these beverages in the US has increased. This category spans beers ranging from <0.5% to about 2.5% ABV. 

Vacuum Distillation

Larger breweries more commonly make these beers with some pricey equipment. One of the first methods that produces a beer with <0.5% alcohol is vacuum distillation. This is a method in which the beer is heated and the alcohol is removed via the distillation process. This is a great way to reduce a beer with <0.5% alcohol but can produce a beer that has a flavor that is less than desirable. The heating process can process off-flavors typical of beer that has been oxidized or with autolysis. Additionally, this equipment can be quite expensive for a craft brewer. 

Membrane Filtration

A second common method is a membrane filtration of a beer. This membrane specific for this process only allows alcohol, color, and some flavor and aroma compounds through the membrane. What results is alcohol and water is removed from the beer. The alcohol is distilled off and the water is returned to the beer. This methodology could be more approachable for smaller craft breweries as there are more accessible products coming to the market. The main concern with membrane filtration is a lot of the flavor can be striped along with the alcohol but can result with some of the best results. 

Additional Methods

Altering the recipe or fermentation of a beer can be a good way to obtain low ABV beers, although achieving <0.5% can be more difficult. The first method would be altering the mash profile. Increasing or decreasing the mash temperature can create less fermentable sugars such as maltose and glucose. Holding the mash temperature above 158°F will create more dextrins. This approach can produce a low alcohol beer but can also create a “worty” flavor and aroma. Cold mashing is another option in which the temperature of the mash is below starch gelatinization. Blending with water and increasing carbonation are two ways to combat the “worty” flavor. 

Strain Suggestions

Low alcohol yeasts are a newer topic in the production of low alcohol beer. Many of these are non-Saccharomyces strains that cannot ferment maltose or maltotriose. All of these strains are non-GMO, although some GMO strains do exist. Examples of low ABV strains that can be used in these types of fermentations: