AB InBev Opens World's Largest No- and Low-Alcohol Beer Facility in South Wales
AB InBev has inaugurated a new de-alcoholisation facility at its Magor site in south Wales, a location already producing over 1 billion pints annually of brands such as Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois. The new unit employs advanced vacuum distillation technology using large stainless steel columns to remove alcohol from beers while preserving their flavor and aroma, by avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
The opening ceremony was attended by UK trade policy minister Chris Bryant and AB InBev UK head Brian Perkins. Perkins described the project as a “massive opportunity,” highlighting how earlier no-alcohol beers often suffered from poor taste due to primitive technology. This innovation hub, costing around $3.9 million, is positioned by AB InBev as a strategic investment to secure the company’s future in the UK market.
AB InBev's portfolio includes 29 no-alcohol brands such as Corona Cero and Budweiser Zero. In the company’s latest quarterly report, zero-alcohol beers helped contribute to a 27% rise in global revenue. The UK beer market, worth over £13.5 billion in 2024, has seen no- and low-alcohol beer volumes grow over 20% annually since 2019, currently accounting for about 2% of volume. Industry projections from IWSR suggest this could rise to 4% by 2029.
Stella Artois 0.0 draught recently debuted at Wimbledon and is undergoing trials in selected UK pubs ahead of a broader rollout planned for next year. This move reflects growing consumer trends; some drinkers seek headache-free beverage options and exhibit a pattern of alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, sometimes referred to as "zebra striping."
The investment into Magor comes amid a challenging hospitality sector and is supported by government measures such as £3.2 billion in transitional business rates relief, aimed at protecting jobs and fostering future growth in the industry.
