Carlton & United Breweries launches first non-alcoholic beer in Australia

AUSTRALIA – Anheuser-Busch InBev-owned Carlton & United Breweries, an Australian brewing company, has launched its first non-alcoholic beer in the brewery’s 180-year history.

According to the company, Carlton Zero is for beer lovers who want more opportunities to enjoy beer responsibly, an option of a non-alcoholic beer that actually tastes like beer.

The company added that the release marked a long-term shift in Australia’s drinking habits: low and mid-strength beers now represent 20% of CUB sales as people increasingly moderate their alcohol intake.

Carlton Zero will expand the number of occasions people can enjoy beer while encouraging moderate drinking and a long-term reduction in harmful drinking.

While Australian sales of non-alcoholic beers have grown 57% over the last five years, the sales volumes of non-alcoholic beers are very modest in Australia compared to the US, Canada and Europe.

CUB’s launch of Carlton Zero is expected to significantly increase non-alcoholic beer sales in Australia.

The company said that even though Carlton Zero is a non-alcoholic beverage it will be marketed only to adults in strict accordance with the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code.

Carlton Zero will be available in coming days in liquor stores and major supermarkets across the country, where it will go head-to-head with other non-alcoholic beers.

“We’ve listened to customers who have told us they want more opportunities to drink responsibly but still want a great-tasting beer.

So we are re-writing the rules to give people a non-alcoholic beer that actually tastes like beer.

Carlton Zero will be promoted to adults and comes as demand for non-alcoholic beer continues to grow in Australia and internationally.

While non-alcoholic beer has been available in Australian supermarkets for years, we’re expecting Carlton Zero will shake-up the market,” said CUB Business Unit President Peter Filipovic.

“It’s crafted with the same quality ingredients as our other iconic beers to give it a great-tasting flavour.

This is an historic release for CUB and we are proud to add Carlton Zero to our portfolio of some of Australia’s most iconic beers.”