DB Breweries is preparing to roll out technology that will allow zero-alcohol beer to be served on tap at about 300 venues across New Zealand ahead of summer.
The brewer trialled the system at Auckland hospitality venues Empire Tavern and Moretons in April, before moving to a wider rollout across the country.
At the time of the trial, DB Breweries MD Peter Hart said the technology could give consumers choosing zero-alcohol beer a more comparable experience to those drinking conventional beer.
“We believe that if this trial is successful, it could open the door to a new era for zero alcohol beer in New Zealand – one where choosing not to drink alcohol doesn’t mean opting out of shared social occasions,” Hart said.
Serving zero-alcohol beer on tap has presented a technical challenge in New Zealand, where consumers typically expect draught beer to be served very cold.
According to The New Zealand Herald, DB Breweries’ system uses a dedicated glycol system and an insulated “tube-within-a-tube” line between the keg and tap. Temperature-controlled water circulates between the two hoses to help maintain the required temperature without freezing the product.
Participating venues will be able to choose from Heineken 0.0, Export Zero and Monteith’s Zero Pale Ale. DB recommends that venues select two products due to the specialised draught lines required.
DB Breweries estimates New Zealand’s zero-alcohol beer category is growing at about 10 per cent annually, despite limited availability on tap.
- Further reading: NZ brewery Tuatara crafts deal with DB.
