Top 3 Beverage Brands Thrilling Young Consumers: 3) Athletic Beers

(Source: athleticbrewing.com/pages/about)

Athletic Brewing Co. | “Great Taste. It’s Athletic.”

Athletic Brewing Company has changed the game not just for non-alcoholic beers but for the entire craft beer market. Their goal was to craft delicious non-alcoholic beers that people can enjoy anytime and anywhere, and they’ve succeeded.
Today, Athletic is the top non-alcoholic beer brand and ranks among the top 20 brewing companies in the U.S.

Let’s look at what makes Athletic Brewing Beers so popular and why it is growing so quickly.

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What Products Does Athletic Brewing Co Offer?

Athletic focuses on crafting non-alcoholic beers with full flavor that can be enjoyed without any worries or hangovers. Unlike other non-alcoholic beers, Athletic uses a unique process that preserves full flavor in their brews. This has helped them compete with full-strength beers and win numerous awards.

Athletic’s essential brews include Run Wild, Upside Down, Free Wave, Cerveza Atletica and Athletic Lite. These are available in store year round. They frequently introduce new and experimental batches, as well as limited-edition styles that showcase unique flavors. Additionally, they collaborate with some of their favorite brands to create special brews.

Run Wild
- Run Wild is the ultimate sessionable IPA for craft beer lovers. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, it has an approachable bitterness to balance the specialty malt body.
- About This Brew: Less than 0.5% ABV, IBU 35, 65kcal
- Brewer’s Notes: IPA / Citrus / Hoppy / Pine
  “A quintessential and timeless IPA crafted to showcase the strong personalities of our favorite malt and hops in perfect balance.”
- Drink It Wit: Burgers / Pizzas / Tacos

Free Wave
- Free Wave is a hugely hoppy hazy IPA with a juicy body and velvety pour. A trio of Amarillo, Citra and Mosaic hops generate bodacious aromatics of tangerine and grapefruit. Notes of pine and florals emerge in the secondary palate for an herbaceous reprieve in all the right places. It’s luscious, smooth, and highly aromatic.
- About This Brew: Less than 0.5% ABV, IBU 50, 70kcal
- Brewer’s Notes: IPA / Citrus / Hoppy
  “A soft and hazy wheat body let the copious amounts of Amarillo, Mosaic and Chinook Hops explode with their juicy, floral and citrusy character.”
- Drink It Wit: Desserts / Salads / Pizza

Upside Down
- Classic craft Golden style. Refreshing, clean, balanced, and light-bodied. Subtle earthy and spicy notes are balanced with citrusy aromas. Brewed with premium malts and American hops. Crafted to remove gluten
- About This Brew: Less than 0.5% ABV, IBU 25, 45kcal
- Brewer’s Notes: Golden / Citrus / Honey
  “This Golden is bright, crisp and showcases the more delicate characteristics of our hops.”
- Drink It Wit: Salads / Pizza / Sun

Cerveza Atletica
- Atlética is a refreshingly bright take on a Mexican-style copper. Using the finest Munich malts, it boasts a lightly toasted malt character with a whisper of spicy florals before rolling into smooth and lightly sweet waves of bread crust and wheat. A medium-body brew that is big in flavor, it’s the epitome of easy drinking. A smooth and satisfying cooler must-have.
- About This Brew: Less than 0.5% ABV, IBU 15, 60kcal
- Brewer’s Notes: Copper / Bread / Malt / Nutty
  “This Mexican-style copper showcases incredible malt complexities – toast, bread crust and hints of stone fruit – while remaining light, bright and super refreshing”
- Drink It Wit: Spicy dishes / Tacos / Braised foods

Athletic Lite
- Athletic Lite is a light brew, reimagined. Classically light and expertly crafted, this brew doesn’t sacrifice on flavor. With only 25 calories, 5g carbs, and premium grains, Athletic Lite is crushable on any occasion — or none at all.
- About This Brew: Less than 0.5% ABV, IBU 20, 25kcal
- Brewer’s Notes: Light / Malt / Refreshing
  “Beautiful Noble hops hover over a light and refreshing Rice and Malt body that is infinitely sessionable.”
- Drink It Wit: Salads / Pizza / Sun

Limited Editions

(Source: Athletic Brewing Co. Website)

Where To Buy Athletic Non-alcoholic Beer

Athletic is sold nationwide at more than 50,000 retailers and 25,000 on-premise venues. We can find Athletic beers at nearly every offline store, and they are also available for online purchase through their own website as well as platforms like GoPuff, Instacart, DoorDash, and Shipt.

What Makes Athletic Brewing Co. Different?

Environmental Commitment
Athletic Brewing is a Certified B Corporation™, reflecting its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Athletic operates custom breweries in Connecticut and California and donates up to $2 million annually to support and restore outdoor spaces globally. They have raised over $2.5 million for local trails through their Two For The Trails program.
World’s Largest Non-Alcoholic Brewery
Athletic operates the largest non-alcoholic brewery in the world, located in Milford, Connecticut, covering 150,000 square feet.
Top Rankings and Awards
Athletic Brewing is the #1 selling craft non-alcoholic beer brand and has earned over 25 gold medal beer awards. They are also recognized as the 26th fastest-growing private company and featured among the 100 Most Influential Companies by TIME magazine.

Why Is It So Popular?

Consumer reviews reveal why people love Athletic’s non-alcoholic beers:

Great Flavor
Many people say Athletic Brewing’s beers taste just like regular beer. The Run Wild IPA and Upside Dawn Golden Ale are especially praised for their rich, satisfying flavors. Compared to other non-alcoholic beers, Athletic’s are often described as the best in taste.
Health Benefits
Consumers choose Athletic Brewing because it’s a healthier choice. The beers are low in calories, making them a great option for those who want to enjoy a drink without extra calories.
Convenience
Reviews highlight that Athletic Brewing’s beers are perfect for various situations, like after a workout or during social events where alcohol isn’t preferred. This flexibility makes them a popular choice for many.
Brand Trust
People trust Athletic Brewing for its quality and commitment to social responsibility. The company’s efforts in environmental protection and community support build a positive reputation among consumers.
Positive Experience
First-time drinkers often find themselves pleasantly surprised by how good the beer tastes, similar to regular beer. This satisfaction leads to repeat purchases and strong brand loyalty.

Athletic Brewing’s non-alcoholic beers are popular due to their great taste, health benefits, and convenience. The brand’s commitment to quality and social responsibility also plays a significant role in its success.

What Are Athletic Brewing Co.’s Growth Rate and Company Value?

Modern trends towards healthier lifestyles and reduced alcohol consumption in the U.S. have driven the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic beer market and the impressive expansion of Athletic Brewing Co.

Non-Alcoholic Beer Market Growth

The non-alcoholic beer market has been growing rapidly in recent years. Sales jumped 39% in 2020 and continued to rise with a 32% increase in 2023. This growth is part of a larger trend towards healthier lifestyle choices. More people are choosing non-alcoholic beers to avoid the negative effects of alcohol, like hangovers and extra calories. In 2024, 41% of Americans are actively trying to cut back on alcohol, which is a 7% increase from the previous year.

Athletic Brewing’s Sales Growth

Athletic Brewing Co. has been leading this trend. The company’s sales have seen impressive growth, with over $90 million in sales last year, marking a more than 60% increase. In 2022, their sales grew nearly 70%, reaching over $60 million, up from $37 million in 2021. This growth is significant and shows that Athletic Brewing is not just keeping up with the market but is also leading it.

Athletic Brewing’s Company Valuation

Athletic Brewing’s success is reflected in its valuation. Recently, the company closed a $50 million equity financing round, which values it at around $800 million. This valuation is about double what it was two years ago. The funding will help Athletic expand its operations, including opening a new brewing facility and increasing its product availability at retailers.

Athletic Brewing’s Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Athletic Brewing Co. is well-positioned for continued success. With over 19% of the non-alcoholic beer market share and driving 32% of the category’s growth, the company is a leader in this expanding sector. The new investment and additional brewing capacity will help Athletic meet rising demand both in the U.S. and internationally. As more consumers seek healthier beverage options, Athletic Brewing is likely to maintain its strong position and continue to grow.