Quilmes reforzó su planta de Zárate para Meet the growing demand for beer without alcohol

According to company data, the market of beer without alcohol has grown steadily in Argentina and, since 2024, has tripled its share, currently representing 3 percent of all beer sold in the country. The expansion is supported by an investment of three million dollars made by Cervecería y Maltería Quilmes at its plant in Zárate, located less than 100 kilometers from Buenos Aires.

Technology for a growing segment

The funds were allocated entirely to productive technology, including the incorporation of a dealcoholizer and adaptations to manufacture beer without gluten and sweet varieties with fruit flavors. The process combines low-pressure distillation with yeasts that remove alcohol while preserving the original flavor. At the Zárate plant, the company produces Quilmes 0.0, Corona Cero and Stella Artois 0.0.

The plant, inaugurated in 1992, is part of the production network that the company uses to respond to changes in consumption. The expansion of its offer occurs within a market in which one in every ten units of Corona sold in Argentina is already without alcohol.

Prices close to premium beer

• A 473 milliliter can of Quilmes 0.0 costs around 2,400 pesos.
• A 330 milliliter bottle of Stella Artois 0.0 can be purchased for approximately 2,100 pesos.
• A six-pack of 330 milliliter cans of Corona Cero costs about 16,900 pesos, or roughly 2,800 pesos per unit.

These values are comparable to those of conventional premium beer. The expansion also includes products aimed at consumers who avoid gluten: Michelob Ultra, priced at 2,600 pesos for a 473 milliliter container, was the first locally produced option in that category, while Stella Artois Pure Gold is the second gluten free product from the group.

Sweet varieties and consumption profile

The latest additions are sweet beers. Brahma FT, with lemon and grapefruit notes, reached stores a few weeks ago at a price of 2,129 pesos for 473 milliliters. Flying Fish, a brand of South African origin that combines beer with lemon juice, also began to be produced in the country and is offered at 2,900 pesos for the same format.

The company reports that beer without alcohol accounts for 68 percent of all alcohol free options within alcoholic beverages. Its typical consumer is not someone who has abandoned conventional beer: 85 percent of those who consume this type of product also regularly drink regular beer, although they choose the alcohol free version on specific occasions.