By Sean Murphy
Copyright irishmirror
More people than ever before are ditching the booze for a sober curious lifestyle that includes going to pubs but not drinking alcohol.
New research shows that Ireland is now in the top five countries for searches on sobriety and sales of booze-free beer sales up 25% last year. A spokesperson for the research claimed that data from Google search trends has highlighted the “growing interest in alcohol-free choices” and “sober social activities”.
She said: “This reflects evolving consumer preferences and lifestyle shifts. December is the month of the year when searches for alcohol-free drinks peak.”
She added: “In December 2024, people in Ireland searched for alcohol-free drinks more than ever before, marking an all-time high. Over the past 12 months, Ireland has ranked among the top five countries globally for searches related to sobriety, behind the US, Canada and the UK.
“Sober socialising is also gaining traction, with searches such as ‘where to meet people in Dublin when sober’ and ‘fun sober date ideas’. These have become some of the most popular queries about sobriety in Ireland in the last year.
“Additionally, the search for ‘sober birthday ideas’ has soared. It is up 130% compared to the previous 12 months. This indicates a growing appetite for alcohol-free celebrations and gatherings.”
She continued: “These insights highlight an evolving landscape of social connection and wellness in Ireland and show a cultural shift towards health-consciousness and finding new ways to connect without alcohol.”
New figures published this week by the Drinks Ireland group showed that sales of alcohol-free beer increased by 25% last year in Ireland. Production of non-alcohol beer grew by 77% in 2024 and zero alcohol beer now accounts for more than 2.5% of beer sales – a 150% surge in just five years.
The Annual Beer Market Report does show that beer remains the most popular alcoholic beverage, with a 43.3% share of the market last year. Cormac Healy, a director at Drinks Ireland, which represents alcoholic drinks manufacturers, claimed that sales of alcohol-free beer will increase more.
One in 15 beers consumed across the EU is now a non-alcohol beer. Mr Healy said: “We predict consumption levels in Ireland can reach similar levels with proper government support.”
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