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Younger Generation Turns to Non-alcoholic Drinks

Non-alcoholic beer has become increasingly popular among young people in Korea. Demand has grown so much that such beverages are now easily found at convenience stores. The trend reflects the rise of the “honsul” population, or those who drink alone at home amid the decline of after-work get-togethers and meetings due to COVID-19. Other reasons include higher health consciousness among people in their 20s and 30s who choose to enjoy the atmosphere over light drinks, as well as the online sale of non-alcoholic beer. The online sale of alcoholic drinks except for traditional ones is banned under law, but those whose alcohol content is under 1% are categorized as beverages and tradable online. As a result, more people can easily shop online for non-alcoholic drinks or those with low alcohol content.

The market research company Euromonitor International said the Korean market for non-alcoholic beer jumped from 8.1 billion won in 2014 to 20 billion won in 2021, with tenfold growth expected by 2025. Amid growing demand for non- and low-alcoholic drinks, manufacturers are putting out new products to attract consumers.

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