Non-alcoholic beer projected to overtake ale as the second-largest beer category worldwide this year
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 29 2025
0mins
Source: CNBC
Non-alcoholic beer growth: Non-alcoholic beer is projected to surpass ale as the second-largest beer category by volume globally, with a 9% increase in sales while overall beer volume declined by 1% in 2024. The category is expected to grow by 8% annually through 2029.
Market trends and consumer behavior: The rise in non-alcoholic beer popularity is driven by younger consumers moderating their alcohol intake, with brands improving taste and expanding offerings; Athletic Brewing has emerged as the top-selling brand in this segment, holding a significant market share.
Analyst Views on BUD
Wall Street analysts forecast BUD stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BUD is 75.00 USD with a low forecast of 75.00 USD and a high forecast of 75.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 69.660
Low
75.00
Averages
75.00
High
75.00
Current: 69.660
Low
75.00
Averages
75.00
High
75.00
About BUD
Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA is a Belgium-based company. The Company is primarily engaged in the manufacturing of beer. The Company operates through six segments: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA, Asia Pacific, Global Export and Holding companies. The Company's brand portfolio includes global brands, such as Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois; international brands, including Beck's, Leffe and Hoegaarden, and local champions, such as Bud Light, Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Quilmes, Victoria, Modelo Especial, Michelob Ultra, Harbin, Sedrin, Klinskoye, Sibirskaya Korona, Chernigivske, Cass and Jupiler. The Company's soft drinks business consists of both own production and agreements with PepsiCo related to bottling and distribution arrangements between its various subsidiaries and PepsiCo. Ambev, which is a subsidiary of the Company, is a PepsiCo bottler. Brands that are distributed under these agreements are Pepsi, 7UP and Gatorade.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.








