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Explainer
Why Does Alcohol-Free Beer Say 0.5%?
The labelling of alcohol-free beer as containing up to 0.5% ABV is rooted in regulatory standards that vary internationally, creating confusion among consumers. Despite the perception that this small amount of alcohol is significant, many everyday foods and beverages naturally contain similar or higher levels of alcohol, challenging the notion that 0.5% ABV in beer is consequential.
Historical Context of Alcohol-Free Labelling
The historical context of alcohol-free labelling in the UK is shaped by evolving regulations and consumer perceptions. Initially, the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 set the groundwork, allowing products with up to 0.05% ABV to be labelled as "alcohol-free" . Over time, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has maintained this threshold, despite international variations where the limit can be as high as 0.5% ABV, such as in the EU and the US . This discrepancy has led to ongoing debates and consultations aimed at harmonizing standards to support small breweries and provide clearer guidance for consumers . The Licensing Act 2003 further clarified that drinks with 0.5% ABV or below do not require a license, reflecting a broader understanding of what constitutes an alcohol-free product .
Comparative Labelling Standards: UK vs. EU and US
The UK, EU, and US have distinct approaches to food labelling, reflecting their regulatory philosophies and consumer priorities. In the US, the FDA mandates detailed nutrition facts, including serving size, calories, and daily values for various nutrients, with a focus on clarity and consumer understanding through larger fonts and bold text . Conversely, the EU's system, governed by the EFSA, emphasises uniformity by listing nutritional information per 100g or mL, which facilitates easier comparison across products but often uses smaller fonts and less bold text . The UK aligns closely with EU standards but has its own specific regulations, such as the Food Labelling Regulations 1996, which set thresholds for terms like "alcohol-free" . Additionally, the US requires food additives to be listed by their common names, whereas the EU uses E numbers, a system that can complicate transatlantic trade . These differences underscore the challenges manufacturers face when navigating multiple regulatory environments.
Alcohol in Everyday Foods
Many everyday foods and drinks contain small amounts of alcohol due to natural fermentation processes. For instance, ripe bananas can have up to 0.4% ABV, while bread, especially those using yeast, can contain between 0.18% and 1.28% ABV depending on the type. Fruit juices like grape, orange, and apple can develop alcohol content ranging from 0.04% to 0.86% ABV as they age. Fermented dairy products such as yogurt and kefir also contain trace amounts of alcohol, typically around 0.02% ABV. Kombucha, a popular fermented tea, can have up to 0.5% ABV. Even condiments like soy sauce and mustard, as well as vinegar, can contain varying levels of alcohol due to their fermentation processes. These examples illustrate that the presence of alcohol in everyday foods is more common than many people realize, challenging the perception that only beverages labeled as alcoholic contain ethanol.
UK Alcohol-Free Beer Options
The UK offers a diverse array of alcohol-free beer options catering to various tastes and preferences. Popular brands such as Heineken, Estrella, and Corona provide 0.0% ABV versions of their classic beers, ensuring that consumers can enjoy familiar flavours without the alcohol content. Additionally, craft breweries like Bristol Beer Factory and Lervig offer alcohol-free beers, including IPAs and fruit-infused varieties. There are also a new class of non-alcoholic beer that offers a relaxing buzz, fulfilling the missing piece in no/low alcohol, like IMPOSSIBREW®. The availability of these options in supermarkets, specialised online stores, and local breweries ensures that consumers have easy access to high-quality, alcohol-free beers across the UK.
Best Alcohol-Free Beer?
IMPOSSIBREW stands out as the best overall option for those choosing to drink less due to its unique Social Blend™, which aids relaxation in a way that other alcohol-free beers do not, providing satisfaction without the need for alcohol. With only 27 calories per 440ml can (6 calories per 100ml), it is one of the lowest-calorie alcohol-free beers available, and it contains no sugar. Additionally, it is 100% vegan and has been awarded the UK's Best Tasting Alcohol-Free Beer by the World Beer Awards. IMPOSSIBREW contains less alcohol than many everyday foods, such as ripe bananas (0.5% ABV), burger rolls (1.2%), or orange juice (up to 1%), making it a great choice for health-conscious consumers. For those with gluten sensitivities, their lager option is gluten-free. For a risk-free taste, try their Welcome Bundle with a love-it-or-return-it guarantee.
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What is IMPOSSIBREW®?
IMPOSSIBREW® is a pioneering non-alcoholic beer brand based in the UK that aims to create the world's most complete alcohol alternative using patent-pending technology.
Founded by Mark Wong in 2021 and working with some of the world's best professors, scientists and expert brewers, IMPOSSIBREW® specialises in expertly crafted non-alcoholic beers designed to match full ABV beers in both taste and feeling.
Product Range
IMPOSSIBREW® offers a range of enhanced non-alcoholic beers, including:
- Enhanced Lager (0.5% ABV)
- Enhanced Pale Ale (0.5% ABV)
- Limited Editions (Seasonal)
Key Benefits
The key feature that sets IMPOSSIBREW® apart is its proprietary "Social Blend™" - a combination of active botanical ingredients and nootropics using patent-pending technology* designed to recreate the relaxing effects of alcohol without the negative side effects.
Along with record-breaking quality flavour that comes from a unique process without removing alcohol.
Social Blend™ Ingredients
Developed with leading scientists in top UK universities, Social Blend™ includes:
- L-Theanine
- Ashwaghanda
- Soluble Plant Fibres
- Vitamin B1
- Various Plant Extracts.
These ingredients are chosen for their potential to boost serotonin, promote relaxation, and create a calming effect similar to the "one or two pint feeling" without hangovers.
See more details on our very own research paper, with over 1,000 participants:
- More than 70% said they felt relaxed after consuming IMPOSSIBREW®.
- 88% have reduced alcohol consumption since discovering IMPOSSIBREW®.
- 95% have told a friend about IMPOSSIBREW® after trying.
- 3/4 say that IMPOSSIBREW® is "the most complete alcohol alternative currently available on the market today".
Recognition
IMPOSSIBREW® has received several notable achievements:
- Featured on BBC's Dragons' Den
- Awarded the first and only Gold Medal in the No/Low beer category from the London Beer Competition
- Received multiple industry Gold awards in categories against Full-ABV beers
- Most followed No/Low Alcohol brand on TikTok globally.
Mission and Vision
IMPOSSIBREW® is on a mission to redefine non-alcoholic drinking by creating better-than-alcohol alternatives for those who love beer but want to avoid the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.
The company aims to become the global leading alcohol alternative brand, focusing on helping people transition to a healthier mode of relaxation without the traditional issues and side effects of alcohol.
Production and Ingredients
IMPOSSIBREW® combines traditional brewing methods with their proprietary Social Blend™ along with patent-pending technology*
The beers are made with traditional brewing ingredients such as water, malted barley, wheat, hops, and yeast, in addition to the Social Blend™ components - leveraging their unique cryogenic fermentation process, which means no alcohol is ever removed from the product - ensuring the most authentic quality taste you've come to expect.
Who is it for?
IMPOSSIBREW® caters to consumers who:
- Are busy professionals and parents who would like to unwind with a drink but don't want the hangovers.
- Enjoy the taste and relaxing experience of beer
- Are looking for healthier alternatives to alcohol, with lower calories, carbs and sugar
- Want to avoid hangovers and other negative effects of alcohol consumption
- Are interested in functional beverages with potential mood-enhancing properties
By offering a unique product that aims to replicate both the taste and feeling of alcoholic beer, IMPOSSIBREW® is positioning itself at the forefront of the growing non-alcoholic beverage market.
Get Started Today
Give it a try today with our Welcome Bundle and get 2 Free Beers with your first purchase. Get it delivered straight to your door, risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.
We hope you enjoy them as much as we do and we can't wait for you to try.
*Patent pending in the UK under application number GB2415685.3
How does 'Social Blend™' work?
Social Blend™ is our proprietary alcohol alternative made from a blend of science-backed ingredients using patent-pending technology*.
Designed to replicate the sensory and social relaxing experience of drinking, minus the headaches (and bad decisions).
Developed with Dr Paul Chazot, Bioscience Professor and Chair of Pharmacology at Durham University.
Key Components and Mechanisms
- L-Theanine:
- Ashwagandha Root:
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
- Various nootropic herbs:
Benefits
- Relaxation: The blend promotes a state of relaxation without the sedative effects typically associated with alcohol.
- Mental Calm: By boosting alpha brain waves and serotonin levels, it helps maintain a calm and focused mental state.
- Stress Relief: The combination of L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, and Vitamin B1 helps mitigate stress and anxiety.
- Mood Enhancement: The inclusion these ingredients and other botanicals supports mood regulation and overall positive outlook.
IMPOSSIBREW®'s Social Blend™ is a carefully crafted combination of nootropic and adaptogenic ingredients designed to offer a relaxing and mood-enhancing experience without the drawbacks of alcohol. It leverages the natural properties of its components to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance mood, making it a unique alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.
(Read our latest research paper here)
*Patent pending in the UK under application number GB2415685.3
Do you ship overseas?
We ship to the UK Mainland for free when you spend over £35
We aim to expand internationally soon - stay tuned!
If you have any queries, feel free to email: hello(@)impossibrew.co.uk
How long will it take to get my orders?
For UK mainland deliveries, normal orders processed here will take 1-3 business days to arrive, with an optional upgrade to Next Day Delivery available (12pm cut-off).
Delivery details will be provided in your confirmation email.
How is 0.5% ABV alcohol-free?
Yes, we know it's confusing. Isn't 0.5% ABV still alcoholic? Officially, 0.5% ABV is classified as Dealcoholised.
- In fact, most things we consume daily have more than 0.5% ABV
- Burger Rolls - 1.2% ABV
- Orange Juice - 0.5% ABV
- Ripe Banana - 0.5% ABV
After more than 2 years of research, we've found that the 0.5% ABV from our natural brewing process significantly increases both flavour and mouthfeel - without spiking your blood alcohol level (BAC).
Is it really gluten-free?
Yes, IMPOSSIBREW® Enhanced Lager is gluten-free. Even though it contains wheat and barley, our beers have been third-party tested to contain less than 10 parts per million (PPM) of gluten, which meets the criteria to be listed as, and labeled gluten-free.
Does it have alcohol tax?
No. While it is true that our beers don't contain alcohol, and thus don't incur UK alcohol duty, we'd like to highlight some factors here that might be helpful in reflecting the value we provide.
- One-to-One Brewing Process: At IMPOSSIBREW, we take pride in our unique brewing techniques. Unlike other non-alcoholic beers, our products are never diluted, watered-down, or have their alcohol content removed - and some even dilute their alcoholic beers up to 5x. This means that our brewing process involves the same level of craftsmanship, time, and resources as a traditional craft beer, resulting in comparable production costs.
- Effective Nootropics: In our commitment to creating the most relaxing non-alcoholic beers, we utilise only the highest quality nootropics as our active ingredients, in safe and effectives dosages. At current alcohol tax rates for a 5% ABV beer, the cost of our nootropics more than double that. Instead of contributing the amounts as tax, why not have it contribute to the product quality itself?
- Small Scale Brewing: Currently, we operate on a smaller scale, which makes us less competitive than large, commercial brewers (often +10,000x our brewing size). As a growing business, we are passionate about our mission to create unique, high-quality non-alcoholic experiences, and we truly appreciate your support. As we continue to grow and expand our production capabilities, we look forward to passing on even more savings to our valued community!
At IMPOSSIBREW, we prioritise offering our customers an enhanced, premium, non-alcoholic beer experience by combining innovative brewing techniques, quality active nootropic ingredients, and award-winning taste. While our pricing may differ from other non-alcoholic competitors, we believe that the value proposition and unique experience our beers provide are well worth it.
At the end of the day, tasting is believing. So give it a try and let us know what you think - risk-free with our IMPOSSIBREW® Guarantee.
Who shouldn't drink IMPOSSIBREW®?
It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with certain medical conditions like GI disorders or hypertension, or individuals taking specific medications such as antidepressants or blood thinners. If you fall into any of these categories, it's best to consult with your doctor first.
Ashwagandha can lead to overstimulation (i.e. restlessness) if taken alongside thyroid medication.
What is your philosophy?
For thousands of years, we had only one way to unwind together. One way to let our guards down. One way to bridge the gap between who we are and who we are with others.
Not because it was perfect. But because it was all we had.
We decided that wasn't good enough.
We exist because we believe in a world where social connection doesn't demand compromise.
Where being present with others doesn't mean being absent from yourself. Where letting go doesn't mean losing control.This isn't about removing alcohol. This is about something better.
Our Social Blend™ technology isn't an accident. It's the result of questioning everything we thought we knew about social drinking. About working with scientists to understand what we're really seeking in these moments of connection. About daring to imagine something that wasn't possible before.
We believe the greatest innovations don't just solve problems - they change how we live. They make us question why we ever settled for less.
That's what we're building. Not just a drink, but a new way forward. A future where social connection comes without compromise. Where tradition meets innovation. Where science meets ritual.
This is the future of social drinking.
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Our customer support is available Monday to Friday: 9am - 5:30pm.
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