A new alcohol free version of Guinness is set to hit supermarket shelves in Scotland this month.
Diageo say the new drink, which is being called Guinness 0.0, is Guinness "with everything, except alcohol".
Launching in Scotland from October 26, it will be available to buy in 440ml can 4-packs (priced at around £3.50 - £4.50) from Waitrose and Morrison’s online and in store, before rolling out to other retailers.
It will be available in pubs across Ireland and the UK from Spring 2021.
The non-alcoholic beer sees the team at St James’s Gate Brewery start by brewing Guinness the same way they normally do using the same natural ingredients, before gently removing the alcohol through a cold filtration method.
This process allows the alcohol to be filtered out without presenting thermal stress to the beer, protecting the integrity of its taste and character.
The brand say 0.0 boasts the same "perfectly balanced flavour" as Guinness, with the same dark, ruby red liquid and creamy head, hints of chocolate and coffee, smoothly balanced with bitter, sweet and roasted notes.
The team at Guinness stated that in taste tests by an independent panel hosted by Nielsen, found that Guinness 0.0 ‘exceeded expectations’ with its taste lauded as ‘outstanding’.
Guinness 0.0 is also described as a low-calorie option for those choosing to moderate, with just 16 calories per 100ml, meaning a standard can of alcohol-free Guinness 0.0 contains just 70 calories.
Gráinne Wafer, global brand director at Guinness, said: "The launch of Guinness 0.0 highlights our long-held commitment to innovation, experimentation, and bravery in brewing, harnessing the power of our brewers and our ingredients, to create an alcohol-free beer that is 100% Guinness but 0% alcohol.
Aisling Ryan, innovation brewer at St James’s Gate said: "We have created a taste experience that we believe is truly unrivalled in the world of non-alcoholic beer and we can’t wait for people to finally be able to try it!”
