Ohio Brewery News

Making Something from Nothing 

MadTree Brewing released their first non-alcoholic beer, Leave No Trace, as a draft-only taproom exclusive in late December, just in time for a wave of new year’s resolutions among their devoted fans.

Nielsen data showed that NA beer sales increased 39% and 38% in 2019 and 2020 respectively. While NA beer is still miniscule within the larger beer category, the year-over-year growth indicates that demand for alcohol-free options could be served by local producers.

The hard seltzer market – another beverage trend with popularity driven by health-conscious consumers – was initially dominated by a handful of large producers. However, as craft beer drinkers began to show an interest in seltzers, small breweries jumped into the space, often creating innovative versions that appealed to the brewery’s core customers.

We may be on the precipice of the same happening in the NA beer sector. “Break” periods like Dry January and Sober October are gaining popularity. With just a few craft NA brands available to consumers – Sam Adams and BrewDog are both producing NA beer in Ohio – breweries like MadTree are taking the opportunity to step into the space with a new, flavorful NA offering that can appeal to their core customers while they are abstaining from alcohol.

If you’re doing Dry January right now, sincerely, good for you! It’s incredibly important to take care of yourself first and foremost. If you’re looking for a way to support your favorite craft breweries this month – January sales are traditionally slow for Ohio breweries – seek out some that are offering NA beers either made on site or available as a guest tap. You can also take this opportunity to stock your cellar with some barrel-aged beers or pick up some fresh brews to set aside for enjoyment in February.