Non-alcoholic beers and wines

Beer is an excellent isotonic drink that is great for refreshing and quenching thirst on hot days. It is a must for a barbecue organized on a Saturday afternoon or for a night out with friends on the town. However, the non-alcoholic version is becoming more and more popular and sales are increasing every year. Such a trend may be due to an active and healthy lifestyle, which is important for more and more people to limit their alcohol consumption. There are also many unique flavors of non-alcoholic beer, tailored to the preferences of the most discerning customers. They are used by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as drivers, minors and people who, for example, do not drink alcohol at all for health reasons.

How is non-alcoholic beer made?

Traditional beer is made under the conditions of alcoholic fermentation, however, in the brewing process, the amount of alcohol can be changed to very little. Some breweries make alcohol-free products in the same way as traditional beers, and then remove the alcohol from them at the end of production, such as through vacuum extraction or distillation. This process enables the preservation of taste and aroma values ​​that even experts often cannot distinguish from alcoholic beer.

There are also methods to stop fermentation at a chosen time by lowering the temperature. However, opponents of this method claim that the drink then loses its unique taste and no longer resembles traditional beer as much. Alcohol-free products can also be prepared by brewing them with special yeast so that no alcohol is produced.

Types of non-alcoholic beer

The taste and aroma of beer are primarily influenced by the hopping process and the type and quality of the raw materials used in its production. Non-alcoholic beers can therefore retain the same bitterness and sweetness as alcoholic beers. In addition, they can also be created in any style, such as lager, shandy, witbier or porter. The shops offer light, dark and wheat drinks, available in different flavors or with the addition of fruit juice or lemonade.

It should be noted that in Poland, a non-alcoholic beer can also be called a drink with an alcohol content of up to 0.5%. Especially for drivers or pregnant or breastfeeding women, this can turn out to be important information, although this amount is comparable to the amount of alcohol in common foods such as kefir or sourdough bread. However, completely non-alcoholic versions are available on the market, which are characterized by their excellent taste and aroma.

The effect of beer on the body

Conventional beer is unhealthy precisely because of the high alcohol content. In addition to reducing the ability to concentrate and the performance of the nervous system, even a small dose of alcohol can lead to visual, hearing and movement disorders. Long-term use can lead to addiction, gastrointestinal disorders, and even brain damage.

All these consequences do not apply to the soft drink, which is made only from plant-based ingredients. There are opinions that it acts as an isotonic drink, replenishing electrolytes and micro and macro elements, for example, after training. It also provides energy and can have a positive effect on the regeneration of the body. It also definitely has fewer calories than sweet fizzy drinks, which is why it is often chosen by people who value a balanced and healthy diet. Alcohol-free beer also supplies the body with amino acids and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and sodium.