Interested in brewing non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beer (NABLAB)? Fermentis sat down with Luc Badot, Production Manager at La Rouget de Lisle in Jura, France, to talk about his team’s new project – a non-alcoholic beer brewed using a yeast specifically designed for low alcohol beers, SafBrew™ LA-01 and specialty malts from Castle Malting.
The goal
One of the first craft breweries in France, La Rouget de Lisle was founded by Bruno Mangin in 1994. Bruno and his team are passionate about working by hand and using quality products to create great-tasting craft beers. Today, the brewery sells more than 15 types of beer, as well as soft drinks and mixers. Keen to add a non-alcoholic beer to the range, Bruno and Luc were thrilled to collaborate with Fermentis and Castle Malting on their new project.
“It’s our first non-alcoholic beer, so we’re stepping a little into the unknown,” explains Luc. “It’s something we’ve wanted to try for a long time, so when Fermentis proposed we use their low-alcohol beer yeast, SafBrew™ LA-01, we were excited to give it a go.”
The trend – crafting low alcohol or no alcoholic beers
A movement that’s gaining momentum across the globe, NABLAB is a fantastic opportunity for brewers to diversify their range and become part of a more inclusive beer culture. Creating a great-tasting NABLAB is not without its challenges however, as dealcoholization methods are often costly and known to alter a beer’s sensory profile. Producing NABLAB beers with yeast for low alcohol or no alcoholic brewing, like SafBrew™ LA-01, circumvents many of these problems for craft brewers, while also allowing them to experiment with introducing new flavors to enhance drinkability without needing specialized equipment.
The beer yeast for no or low alcohol beers
The first dry yeast of its kind, designed specifically as a yeast for low alcohol or no alcoholic beers, SafBrew™ LA-01 is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. chevalieri that has been specifically selected for its ability to ferment without producing substantial alcohol. A maltose-negative strain, it only ferments simple sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), making it possible to brew low alcohol or even non-alcoholic beers. SafBrew™ LA-01 is characterized by a subtle aroma profile, making it adaptable to a range of beer styles and a great choice for brewers looking to create something unique.
The result
“We were looking to create a refreshing beer with a nice balance of sweetness and bitterness,” says Luc. After fermentation, the team at La Rouget chose to dry hop the beer with Citra. After tasting, they were satisfied with the flavor profile of the new brew and made the decision not to acidify.
“We’re really pleased with the result,” says Luc. “Our alcohol-free beer is thirst-quenching and balanced, with notes of cereals and a slight lingering bitterness. It has a complex nose between exotic fruits and citrus fruits.”
On the Fermentis side, we were able to showcase this specific beer during BrauBeviale trade show, in Nuremberg, in 2024. The beer was widely appreciated – it had nice fermentative flavours, and sufficient body to make it feel like a beer.
As for the brewery’s plans for the future? “Given the growing interest in low-alcohol beers, we’d love to work towards an entire La Rouget range!” says Luc.
Ready to brew your own low or non-alcoholic beer?
For more information about SafBrew™ LA-01, brewing non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beers and much more, check out our Complete Solutions for Low and No-Alcohol Beers.