Belgian abbey beer becomes non-alcoholic

A BELGIAN brewer will make history when it produces the first non-alcoholic version of one of the country’s celebrated and powerful abbey beers.

Known for complex flavours and high alcohol content, the ales are brewed by monks or on licence and have long been praised as a central part of Belgium’s cultural heritage.

Now, AB Inbev, the world’s largest brewing company, is to launch a zero alcohol version of its Leffe beer, which has a history dating back to 1240 and normally packs a 6.6per cent punch.

Traditionalists may call it sacrilege, but the brewer said its decision was a sign of changing attitudes towards beer in Belgium, where a survey found that 62per cent of adults thought they drank too much.

Non-alcoholic lagers and wheat beers have been growing in popularity in the country, with a 30 per cent growth in the market this year. AB Inbev will use a de-alcoholisation technique that allows the beer to first go through the usual brewing process.

Eoghan Walsh, an award-winning beer writer based in Belgium, said brewing mythology was an “almost foundational part” of Belgian identity.

“The popularity of these beers is founded on their strength and the fuller flavour that goes with it,” he said.

“A zero per cent abbey beer is a big departure from a brewing tradition you can trace back hundreds of years.”

AB Inbev said 20 per cent of beer would be low in alcohol by 2025.