Ireland: Why would anyone drink non-alcoholic beverages when they cost more than their alcoholic counterparts?
These beers could be a welcome boost for the pub industry, but the price has got to be looked at for the concept to actually work properly
By Mark Noble
February 5, 2019
THEY may not be new, but non-alcoholic beers are certainly becoming more popular.
With the combination of good marketing and decent flavours, they’re becoming the go-to bar order for anyone who wants to have a ‘drink’ with mates but escape the hangover.
I tried two types – one from Guinness called Pure Brew, the other was a 0.0 Heineken that looked identical to the famous green-bottled alcoholic beer.
Both tasted perfectly acceptable, with the Heineken being almost exactly like the real deal. Strangely enough, the only bitter aftertaste was the price.
The Pure Brew was €5.10 and Heineken 0.0 was €5.20, while a pint of Guinness was €4.90.
It seems very Irish that to obey the law, still go to a pub and be sociable costs more than it does to get drunk!
I’ve done a bit of research on the process these beers have to go through, and the step where the alcohol is removed adds an extra cost to the finished product.
It’s no surprise that this then gets soaked up by the paying customer.
As much as that explanation might make sense, surely the Government could take the idea seriously and put some sort of financial incentive into pub goers going for a cheaper option that doesn’t contain alcohol, and in turn keeps our roads safer?
The beer companies have come up with a worthy solution for drinkers but, as usual, the price makes it pointless when it ends up costing more than an alcoholic version.
When I spoke about this on the show, many tweeted that it was like going to McDonald’s for a salad — and point-blank shot down the idea of trying an alcohol-free beer.
They said I should simply order a couple of real pints.
But they’re missing the point — these beers could be a welcome boost for the pub industry, but the price has got to be looked at for the concept to actually work properly.