AB InBev has opened its first UK-based dealcoholisation unit at its Magor Brewery in South Wales, marking a strategic investment in the fast-growing no- and low-alcohol beer segment. The facility enables alcohol-free beers to be produced domestically for the first time, allowing brands such as Stella Artois 0.0 and Corona Cero to be supplied to the UK market from within the country rather than being imported.
The new unit forms part of a broader investment programme aimed at meeting rising consumer demand for alcohol-free options while also reducing beer miles and strengthening local supply chains. According to AB InBev, dealcoholisation has become a central element of its brewing strategy as moderation trends reshape beer consumption patterns in mature markets such as the UK.
Industry data underline the rationale behind the move. Recent figures from IWSR show that the UK no- and low-alcohol market more than doubled in 2024 compared with 2023, driven in part by duty changes and alcohol-by-volume realignments. Within this category, beer remains the strongest performer, with non-alcoholic beer volumes growing by around 20% year on year. Alcohol-free beer now accounts for more than 2% of total beverage alcohol sales in the UK, while British Beer and Pub Association data indicate that no- and low-alcohol beer sales in pubs were on track to reach around 140 million pints in 2024.
The Welsh facility was officially opened by Sir Chris Bryant, UK Minister for Trade, who described the investment as a vote of confidence in the country’s manufacturing base. He highlighted that producing alcohol-free beer locally would expand consumer choice both at home and in pubs, while supporting jobs and long-term growth.
From a corporate perspective, the investment also aligns with AB InBev’s global ambitions in the category. The brewer currently offers 29 no-alcohol beers across more than 45 markets worldwide. According to company figures, its non-alcoholic beer portfolio delivered a 27% increase in global revenue in the third quarter of 2025. The group had previously set a target for non-alcoholic and low-ABV beverages to account for one fifth of its global volumes, underlining the strategic importance of dealcoholisation within its long-term growth plans.
By embedding alcohol-free production capabilities in Wales, AB InBev aims to combine sustainability benefits with operational resilience, while reinforcing beer’s leading role in the expanding no- and low-alcohol segment.
