Belgian brewery develops first alcohol-free beer on tap

Troubadour Zestra, a hopped alcohol-free lager that has been sold in bottles for a year, has now been made available on draught in about 15 bars in Flanders and Brussels, due to a new technological development.

The Musketeers brewery in Sint-Gillis-Waas (East Flanders) claims the honour of producing the non-alcoholic beer as an option on tap for the first time.

Non-alcoholic beers are not usually available in kegs because they have such a short shelf life, but The Musketeers brewery said it had found a solution thanks to "advanced brewing techniques".

“Normally, a non-alcoholic beer on draught only lasts a day or two – no cafe owner wants to take such a risk,” said Stefaan Soetemans, founder and managing director of Musketeers.

Alcohol-free beer is very sensitive to changes in taste or excessive CO2 formation as soon as the keg is opened.

“We’ve managed to maintain the product's durability by adding a natural extract,” Soetemans added.

The beer remains stable and retains its original flavours even after the keg has been opened, after which it can last another two weeks or so, the same as a conventional beer.

Low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beers have become increasingly popular in recent years and more breweries are now offering an alcohol-free brand.

Soetemans believes every cafe will have a pump dispensing alcohol-free beer in the near future.

The AB InBev group introduced Jupiler 0.0% in kegs at major festivals this summer, including Rock Werchter, Graspop and Tomorrowland - a feat that was only possible because of the large volume of beers sold on-site in a short period of time.

“We're thinking of encouraging people to drink in moderation even more by offering exactly the same service experience, whether it's a classic beer or a non-alcoholic one,” said a spokesperson for the brewing giant.

Without revealing the precise timing, the company intends to offer non-alcoholic beers on draught soon in the pub trade.