Drinking Zero Zeros: Yes or No?

The 0.0 beers have been given an important place in the supermarkets. The popularity of non-alcoholic drinks is on the rise. Especially during Dry January, sales get a big boost. Is it wise to drink a zero point zero to replace your old-fashioned beer or wine during your alcohol break?

Where in January 2019 4.3 percent of all beer sales were non-alcoholic, this was 7.7 percent in the same month of 2020. The demand for non-alcoholic beers and wines has increased sharply since the emerging popularity of Dry January.

What makes zeros attractive?

The fact that we are increasingly opting for alcohol-free has to do with the following:

-Under the guise: 'casting is out, enjoyment is in', we increasingly choose quality over quantity. And quality is linked to health. So we drink more consciously.

-Was an alcohol-free beer or wine not exactly a treat in the past; nowadays taste and experience have been greatly improved. Some even approach the taste of real beer.

-As consumers, we are more than often 'bribed'. In other words: so much budget is spent on marketing that the consumer will automatically find it 'nice', 'tasty' or 'indispensable'. The brewers of the Netherlands have concluded a prevention agreement. In doing so, they take responsibility and spend more and more advertising money on the promotion of 0.0% beers (source: bierista.nl).

-Because we are increasingly making conscious and healthier choices, the alcohol-free range is increasing in our esteem. A glass of alcohol-free (250ml) contains 65 kilocalories compared to 112.5 kilocalories in a beer (also 250ml).

-Not only have the taste and image of 0.0 improved, the range has also expanded considerably. For example, white beers, IPAs and dark beers are available.

Can I drink 0.0 during my Own Challenge?

Of course you can and can drink alcohol-free. Who are we to forbid you to do this? For some people, drinking 0.0 beer or wine causes them to maintain an alcohol break. However, we would like to add a serious side note: we recommend that you do not drink anything at all that can be associated with alcohol. An alcohol-free beer is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, that's why. An alcohol-free drink makes the step to real alcohol smaller. Anyone else have a tonic?