Low-Alcohol Craft Beer: The 2025 Trend Reshaping Out-of-Home Consumption

According to Beverfood.com, over 16% of new Italian craft beers launched in the first half of 2025 have an alcohol content below 4%. This marks a significant rise compared to previous years, when this segment accounted for just 6% of new releases, and represents a 27% increase over the same period in 2024.

Why this trend is strategic

Responding to the no/low-alcohol trend

Consumers — especially Gen Z and Millennials — are increasingly drawn to moderate drinking and “soft pleasure” experiences. Beers below 4% ABV fit perfectly into this shift, offering light, flavorful options that suit more frequent consumption throughout the day.

Diversification and product innovation

Italian microbreweries are expanding their portfolios with session IPAs and light lagers: hop-forward but lower in alcohol, and ideal for on-premise consumption. A strong focus on local ingredients and sustainable practices adds value and identity to these products, making them stand out in a crowded market.

Strong potential for the HoReCa sector

Low-alcohol beers bridge the gap between lunch and aperitivo occasions, encouraging longer and more responsible consumption. Introducing them into menus means responding to new consumer expectations with contemporary, inclusive and health-conscious offerings.

Beyond alcohol content: the evolving craft beer ecosystem

Alcohol is just one element of a broader transformation. Session IPAs and hoppy lagers are gaining traction over high-alcohol styles. Innovative techniques like nitro carbonation are creating smoother textures, while premium ingredients — such as citrus peels, specialty hops, and alternative grains — are delivering unique, local flavor profiles.

What this means for professionals in the sector

The boom in sub-4% ABV beers is now a tangible lever for innovation and strategic positioning across the entire supply chain. For craft breweries, it’s an opportunity to meet emerging consumer expectations and assert their role as forward-thinking producers. For the HoReCa world, it opens the door to fresh, relevant offerings and a stronger connection with health-conscious, experience-driven customers. And for buyers and distributors, it’s the right moment to curate assortments that anticipate trends and stand out in the marketplace. Within this context, Beer&Food Attraction remains the natural meeting point between vision, product, and market — the place where the future of beer is already taking shape.