Non-Alcoholic Beer to Overtake Ale Globally in 2025

Non-alcoholic beer is on pace to become the world’s second most popular beer type by the end of 2025, according to new data from beverage analytics firm IWSR.

While lager continues to dominate the global market with 92% of total beer volume, non-alcoholic beer is steadily rising — currently holding a 2% share, CNBC reports.

IWSR says sales of non-alcoholic beer rose 9% by volume in 2024, putting it on track to surpass ale for the number two spot globally before the year ends.

That growth isn’t expected to slow. The firm forecasts non-alcoholic beer sales will climb by 8% annually through 2029, while ale is projected to decline by 2% each year over the same period.

Overall, the volume of alcoholic beverages sold worldwide dipped 1% in 2024, though total sales value still rose by 1%. Beer sales were also slightly down, yet some subcategories posted strong gains. In the U.S., “super premium” beer sales increased by 2%, and stouts saw a 5% rise in volume.

As drinking habits evolve, industry experts say consumers are increasingly drawn to low- and no-alcohol options — driven by health-conscious choices, wider availability, and improved taste profiles.