Non-alcoholic beer consumption among alcohol consumers in the US

Non-alcoholic beer may help adults reduce alcohol intake, but it could also undermine alcohol reduction efforts. Few studies have investigated how and why adults consume non-alcoholic beer. We aimed to establish nationally representative estimates of the prevalence, patterns, motivations, and correlates of non-alcoholic beer consumption among US regular alcohol consumers.

In October 2024, we conducted a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of US adults ages 21 + years who drank alcohol at least once a week in the past four weeks. We assessed past-year non-alcoholic beer consumption prevalence, patterns, and motivations. We also examined correlates of consumption using logistic regression. Analyses weighted observations such that the sample was representative of US alcohol consumers ages 21+.

Among 1,031 respondents, 25% reported consuming non-alcoholic beer in the past year, and 37% expressed interest in drinking non-alcoholic beer in the next year. Among non-alcoholic beer consumers, 59% reported perceiving that they drank less alcohol when drinking non-alcoholic beer, whereas 13% reported perceiving that they drank more alcohol. Motivations for consuming non-alcoholic beer included that it helps reduce alcohol intake (46%), is better for health (39%), and is something new (37%). People who reported drinking alcohol 3 + days/week were more likely to have consumed non-alcoholic beer than those who drink alcohol less frequently (p = 0.008), as were those identifying as Asian compared to White (p < 0.001).

Many regular alcohol consumers have consumed or are interested in consuming non-alcoholic beer. People may consume non-alcoholic beer to reduce their alcohol intake, which could potentially benefit public health.