NEW: Kasteel Rouge Original 0.0

Non-alcoholic beers are on the rise. And soon, they are to be joined by Kasteel Rouge 0.0%, the first zero alcohol specialty beer from Kasteel Brewery Vanhonsebrouck of Izegem. Innovation is deeply rooted in the Izegem family brewery’s DNA. Thus, it was only a matter of time before owner Xavier Vanhonsebrouck would go down the alcohol-free route. That said, according to him, this was no easy task: ‘Plans for a Kasteel Rouge 0.0% had been on the table for a while. However, I had one clear condition: that the brew kettle would only be filled with a completely alcohol-free recipe that did not compromise on the renowned quality of our Kasteel beer brand’. That said, we persevered. ‘Thanks to the intensive efforts of our entire team, we are proud to announce the launch of Kasteel Rouge 0.0% for this spring. A first for the Belgian beer landscape, but also for our own brewery, as it will be the first non-alcoholic specialty beer in our range‘, explains Xavier.

Original Rouge, Zero Alcohol

Michiel Clyncke, who has been working at Xavier’s side as co-CEO since earlier this year, adds: ‘The market share for non-alcoholic beers is growing. What’s more, legislation is creating increased awareness around alcohol consumption, while consumers themselves are also becoming more alcohol-aware. With Kasteel Rouge 0.0%, we are enhancing supermarket alcohol-free shelves with a high-quality specialty beer, a new and above all delicious beer experience for consumers.’ The link to the original Kasteel Rouge is unmistakable: a ruby-red specialty beer with a thick head and that distinct flavour profile – that is, ‘at least for those who already know Kasteel Rouge’, adds Xavier. ‘That being said, this non-alcoholic variant is not just for out loyal fans, rather it is for anyone wanting to enjoy a refreshing, flavour-packed specialty beer – only minus the alcohol‘. There is certainly no shortage of opportunities to enjoy a zero alcohol Kasteel Rouge. ‘Mums-to-be who want to keep their pregnancy a secret for a little while longer, the designated driver bringing his friends home safely after a night out, or the student keeping off alcohol during their studies. The ideal “bob and block” beer’, laughs Xavier.

We continue to invest in our beer brands to offer our consumers the best possible beer experience, whether that’s with or without alcohol, but always packed full of flavour. Xavier Vanhonsebrouck

Capacity expansion

Midway through last year, the Izegem family brewery launched Kasteel Rubus Framboise, a strong fruit beer brewed with real raspberries. According to Xavier, this proved ‘an instant hit’. To that, Michael adds: ‘Upon its launch, retailers could barely keep up with demand. Thanks in part to the success of Kasteel Rubus Framboise, we have been able to further expand our capacity. On 21 March, we installed four new beer tanks, amounting to a 10% increase in our overall capacity‘.

And we’re not done yet! Our thirst for creating new beer experiences has not yet been quenched. ‘With Kasteel Rubus Framboise, we reasserted our authority within the strong fruit beer segment. And now, we are further cementing that authority with the launch of the first zero alcohol Rouge beer. We continue to invest in our beer brands to offer consumers the best possible beer experience, whether that’s with or without alcohol, but always packed full of flavour’, both unanimously conclude.