Czech breweries are responding to changing consumer preferences with a latest wave of low-sugar, lower-alcohol beers, targeting health-conscious younger drinkers and those managing their diets. The trend is exemplified by Zlatá Kráva brewery’s recent launch of “Low Carb Ale,” a beer containing just 22 calories per 100 milliliters, significantly less than the 250 calories found in a traditional Czech “dvanáctka” (12° beer).
“Our new ‘Low Carb Ale’ came about because of this modern fitness trend,” said Žaneta Petružálková, a brewer at Zlatá Kráva. “A lot of people proceed to the gym and don’t want to then have two ‘dvanáctkas.’ The idea was to drink beer and not feel guilty.” The beer is highly fermented to minimize residual sugar and has been certified by an accredited laboratory, according to the brewery.
Tomáš Sladký, marketing manager at Zlatá Kráva, noted a significant shift in Czech beer culture. “The younger generation isn’t drinking as much. They won’t have ten beers, but three or four quality ones – they’re savoring them. And they’re watching their lifestyle and calories. So, the impetus was really to bring something interesting to the market. And, above all, our new product has a full beer flavor,” he stated.
The Low Carb Ale has an alcohol content of 3.2 percent. Other breweries are likewise entering the market. Board brewery in Prague has been producing an 8° Lowcarb – session brut IPA for six months, according to its brewer, Michael Král. “Mainly those who don’t want to pack a lot of sugar into themselves buy it. The standard beer drinker won’t buy it because it’s too weak, it has three percent alcohol,” Král said. He added that the beer is primarily aimed at young people and is being ordered by bars, pubs, and sports facilities.
Pivovar Staropramen, one of the largest breweries in the Czech Republic, has offered Gambrinus Dry for several years. A spokesperson, Zdeněk Kovář, stated that the beer caters to “modern lifestyle adherents” who can enjoy it in moderation as part of a healthy diet, while still retaining the taste of Pilsner beer. The brewery has observed a slight year-on-year increase in sales, though the variant remains a small segment of its portfolio.
Josef Krýsl, a brewing expert who has built 90 minipivovars in the Czech Republic and abroad, recalled the existence of “dia pivo” (diet beer) in the Czech Republic for decades, also with a very low sugar content. “So, nothing new under the sun. The initially inexpensive beer for diabetics was drunk as a novelty, but consumption gradually decreased,” he said. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between bitterness and sweetness in low-carbohydrate beers. “If it takes hold, then other breweries, including the large ones, will quickly catch on. It’s not a major trend yet, but it’s a welcome addition to the market,” Krýsl added.
