Sales of zero alcohol beer in Ireland increased by 25% last year, new figures show.
The report by the Drinks Ireland group also shows that production of non-alcohol beer grew by 77% in 2024.
According to the research, ‘zero-zero’ beer now accounts for more than 2.5% of the overall beer market, which represents a 150% increase in market share over a five-year period.
The Annual Beer Market Report says the surge “reflects a clear and growing consumer appetite for products that support a culture of responsible consumption and a response by industry through investment in brewing capacity, innovation, and new product development.”
Beer remains the most popular alcoholic beverage, with a 43.3% share of the market last year, a gain of almost 1% compared to 2023.
The report shows that beer production levels increased in 2024 by 10.7%, driven by exports.
Total beer sales decreased by 1.6%, the second consecutive year of decline, while per capita consumption also fell by nearly 3%.
Drinks Ireland says the drop aligns with the long-term downward trend in alcohol consumption, which has fallen by 34% over the last 20 years.
Lager remained the most popular beer category in the Irish market
According to the report, 63.7% of the beer sales came from the on-trade sector, which includes pubs, restaurants, and hotels.
The figure is on par with the previous year.
Lager remained the most popular beer category in the Irish market, despite decreasing slightly for the second consecutive year to 57.2%.
The market share of stout continued to grow, up by almost 1% to 35.9%, while the market share of ale fell by 10% to 4.4%.
Among the other findings in the report, exports of Irish beer continued to grow in 2024, up by 3.8% on the previous year to €330 million.
Drinks Ireland says the increase builds on the recovery of beer exports since 2022.
Exports to the United Kingdom accounted for almost 50% of the total, followed by the United States at 14%, France at 10%, with Germany and Canada both accounting for 4.8% of the beer exports last year.
Drinks Ireland, which represents alcoholic drinks manufacturers, says Ireland continued to have the second highest rate of excise tax on alcohol in 2024, when compared to the other 26 EU member states and the UK.
The group says the Irish beer sector has contributed more than €4.4 billion in excise receipts, over the last decade.
It says on every pint of lager, €1.70 is paid to Revenue when combining excise and VAT.
The Director of Drinks Ireland Cormac Healy says the Irish beer industry “continues to be resilient, adaptable and innovative.”
Mr Healy said while domestic consumption continues to fall, exports are rising but he says the international environment “remains challenging.”
Exports of Irish beer continued to grow in 2024, up by 3.8% on the previous year to €330 million
“Exports to the United States – Ireland’s second-largest market – now face a 15% tariff, a weaker dollar, and ongoing trade uncertainty.”
“This presents a challenging environment for all exporters.”
Mr Healy says Drinks Ireland supports the Government and European Commission’s “continued push for the removal of these new tariffs and a return to zero-for-zero tariff trading.”
“Additionally, beer cans are now faced with a further steel/ aluminium linked tariff which needs to be removed.”
He says in the face of the export challenges, “we emphasise the importance of increased Government investment through state agencies such as Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland to support market development and diversification.”
The Drinks Ireland Director also says he is “especially happy “to see the continued growth of the non-alcohol beer sector.
Mr Healy added that the figures show that “consumers are continuing to choose moderation.”
“Ireland must ensure that this growth opportunity is not undermined by restrictive or disproportionate regulation.”
He says one in 15 beers consumed across the EU is now a non-alcohol beer.
“We predict consumption levels in Ireland can reach similar levels with proper government support.”
