KEO launched a light beer this week with fewer calories and lower alcohol content than the standard beer, catering to a new kind of market.
“This could appeal to athletes, people on a diet, women watching out for their silhouette or even someone who wants to drink a lot of beers but save some calories,” KEO brand manager Yiorgos Georgiou said.
Available in both a can and a bottle, it has already hit the supermarket shelves and bars boasting less than 29 calories per 100ml as opposed to the approximately 40 calories in its standard version.
As regards to alcohol content, KEO light has 3.5 per cent while the standard one has 4.5 per cent.
The taste between the two is no different, Georgiou stipulated noting that the new one “is not lighter in taste but has a smoother finish.”
Thus far, the beer has been well received and even though it has only been in the market for a few days it has had “great feedback and reactions from people saying they really liked it. Our immediate clients, which include supermarkets and bars are very excited to feature the beer,” he added.
The launch has nothing to do with new lower alcohol levels for driving.
It was in October 2014 when the idea was born and the new beer was tested long before the new legislation – passed on April 23 – to reduce the legally acceptable limit from 22 microgrammes to 9 microgrammes.
This however, served as a “happy coincidence that will allow people to enjoy at least one beer,” Georgiou said.
Looking at the broader market, Carlsberg already offers a non-alcoholic beer for the past three years.
“We don’t need to have a light beer as our standard version has 37 calories per 100 ml. With only eight calories difference consumers can enjoy the brand with the full taste,” Carlsberg’s beer brand manager Panayiotis Antoniades said.
Those looking to spare themselves the alcohol could always opt for the non-alcoholic version, he added.
Cyprus Mail