Budvar introduces a non-alcoholic beer - and a higher strength one

The company has also launched its higher strength Premium Select beer into Draft House pubs, the specialist beer chain based in London.

Budvar Non-Alcoholic has gained several new listings in the past few months and is looking to drive more through 2014.

“From small acorns big oaks grow,” said Budvar UK marketing controller Ian Moss

“We believe we are gathering the momentum with our non-alcoholic beer, a lager that will challenge Beck’s to its ownership of this segment.

“Not only do we have a great product but independent retailers enjoy a real benefit in stocking it, as they can secure a higher price point and increase the margin.”

The 0.5% ABV version of the lager made with the same ingredients as Budvar Original, but the crucial difference takes place during primary fermentation.

London’s Draft House is one of the newest stockists, and is offering the beer as part of its New Year “Detox or Retox” package, which offers customers a choice between that and the brewery’s new 7.5% ABV Budvar Premium Select beer.

“It’s rare to find a non-alcoholic beer and a strong lager that can match each other for quality and flavour, but these do just that,” said Draft House founder, Charlie McVeigh.

The no-alcohol beer category is thriving in Spain and Germany as well as in Central Europe.

Sales of Budvar non-alcoholic were up 7% in the Czech Republic last year.

In August the company launched a 3.8% "session beer" in the UK called Pardál.