Multi-national drink and brewing company AB InBev has revealed it is investing €31 million into upgrading technology at its breweries in Belgium’s Flemish-Brabant region.
AB InBev employs more than 2,000 people in the breweries and distribution centres in the region, specifically located in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Hoegaarden and Leuven.
According to the beverage giant, the investment will help expand its non-alcoholic beer portfolio, improve bottling capabilities and optimise a new de-alcoholising system to make its Corona Cero product.
Corona Cero – which launched last year – offers the classic taste of Corona, but has 0.0% ABV and is brewed with 100% natural ingredients.
Corona Cero is one of seven non-alcoholic beers brewed by AB InBev in Belgium, including options from local brands Hoegaarden and Leffe. The company notes that many of the non-alcoholic brewing techniques used by its brewers were developed in Belgium at its Global Innovation and Technology Center (GITEC) in Leuven.
David De Schutter, global VP, GITEC, said: “The no-alcohol beers of today are much different from what was available years ago. The innovative methods and technology developed by our brewers and researchers are creating the next generation of refreshing, great tasting, no-alcohol beers for people to enjoy on any occasion.”
Last year, AB InBev also launched Corona Sunbrew 0.0%, the “world’s first” non-alcoholic beer to contain vitamin D. Each 330ml bottle contains 30% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin D and 60 calories.
By Phoebe Fraser
Source: foodbev.com
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