Innis & Gunn has unveiled a 0.0% ABV version of its award-winning Lager Beer. It is available in 440ml cans in Tesco in Scotland.
The beer has been brewed without producing or removing any alcohol. This innovative method is rarely used, but helps create a beer that’s as close as possible to its 4.6% parent.
The hops are exactly the same varieties of Styrian Goldings and Super Styrian as in the 4.6% version but added at slightly different rates. The zero per cent Lager is lighter bodied, but the uplifting citrus zing remains.
The malts vary from the alcoholic recipe by using only pale ale malt as the base, instead of a blend of lager malt and ale malt. The ale malt in the zero per cent beer promotes a reassuring maltiness, often hard to achieve in alcohol-free products.
The recipe has also substituted flaked oats for the golden naked oats of the 4.6%. Flaked oats bring smoothness while giving some additional body.
No compromise on flavour
A final element of the recipe was a small amount of roasted barley, adding some golden highlights. This allows Innis & Gunn 0.0% Lager Beer to mirror the colours of the 4.6% parent. Brewing beer at such a low ABV makes it extremely pale! The 0.0% uses a “non-saccharomyces fermentation”.
Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder and master brewer, said: “We have been working on brewing a strictly 0.0% version of our award-winning Lager Beer for some time, and I am thrilled to finally be able to announce this beer, along with news of initial listings with Tesco across Scotland.
“We have once again used pioneering innovation and the skill of our talented brew team to create this premium non-alcoholic lager, which does not compromise on flavour or refreshment and which is totally Innis & Gunn.
“This is a much anticipated release from Innis & Gunn, and an extension to our hugely successful Lager Beer. It is part of our strategy to grow the brand and to offer consumers more choice on more drinking occasions in different categories.”
