Last month, Tom Holland, the Hollywood star known for his role as Spider-Man, launched a line of non-alcoholic beer called Bero, which is now available in 43 states, including West Virginia. Bero enters the competitive non-alcoholic (NA) beer market, which is largely dominated by Athletic Brewing Company, a brand that has established itself as the 20th largest beer brewer in the U.S. through NA beer sales.

Bero offers three varieties: Edge Hill Hazy IPA, Kingston Golden Pils, and Noon Wheat. To assess the flavor of these new brews, a local brewery, Big Timber Brewing Company, was visited. Employees tasted Bero alongside Athletic Brewing’s offerings and their own Big Timber beers.

Edge Hill Hazy IPA

The team sampled three Hazy IPAs in the following order:

1. Athletic Free Wave Hazy IPA (NA)
2. Big Timber Mon Hazy IPA
3. Bero Edge Hill Hazy IPA (NA)

The consensus among the Big Timber employees was that they preferred Athletic’s Free Wave Hazy IPA over Bero’s Edge Hill. They noted that the Bero version had an unusual spiced aroma that did not match their expectations for a classic hazy IPA, which typically offers a juicy, citrusy flavor.

Noon Wheat

Next, they tried Bero’s Noon Wheat, a style characterized by light and citrusy flavors similar to popular wheat beers.

Feedback was generally positive, indicating that it met the light and refreshing expectations for a wheat beer. While some preferred it, the overall consensus was still that they would reach for Athletic’s offerings before Bero.

Kingston Golden Pils

Finally, they sampled the Kingston Golden Pils, which is crafted to deliver a more hop-forward flavor.

This beer was well-received, with many noting it came close to tasting like a traditional pilsner, though it lacked the defined hop bitterness they expected. Remarkably, one Big Timber employee described it as possibly the best NA beer he’s ever had, highlighting its beer-like qualities.

Conclusion

While the Athletic Free Wave Hazy IPA was the favorite among the tasters, Bero’s Noon Wheat and Kingston Pils showed potential in the growing NA beer market. As non-alcoholic beers continue to rise in popularity, it’s predicted that the brewing quality will only improve, giving more competition to established brands like Athletic.

For those curious to try it, Bero is available for purchase here.

At the United Nations climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, Singapore’s pavilion showcased a unique beverage that drew attention and curiosity: NEWBrew beer, crafted using treated wastewater. This innovative brew was offered free to attendees, but many were initially surprised to learn of its unconventional ingredient.

Ignace Urchil Lokouako Mbouamboua, an international relations student from Congo, expressed astonishment upon discovering the beer’s origins, stating he enjoyed it so much that he had returned for a can each day of the conference. In Singapore, NEWBrew is part of a broader national initiative to promote the conservation of water, given the city-state’s lack of natural water sources.

The production of NEWBrew utilizes NEWater, Singapore’s treated wastewater, and serves as an example of the country’s leadership in water management. With a population of 6 million and increasing demand for water, Singapore relies on catchment, desalination, and recycling to manage its water supply effectively. Authorities project that water demand will double by 2065, necessitating a push for innovative solutions.

The current iteration of NEWBrew was produced after its initial launch at the International Water Week in 2018 and has continued to evolve with each subsequent release. Ong Tze-Ch’in, the chief executive of Singapore’s national water agency, noted the importance of normalizing the consumption of recycled water, despite the challenges in public acceptance.

Feedback from international attendees varied. Peter Rummel, director of Bentley Systems, praised the beer, calling it "fresh, light, and cool," which was notable given his Munich roots, famous for Oktoberfest. The local brewery responsible for NEWBrew, The Brewerkz Group, has produced around 5,000 liters for each edition, with pricing comparable to other beers at approximately $5 USD per can.

Saroj Kumar Jha from the World Bank emphasized the importance of reframing public perceptions of treated wastewater, suggesting that it be referred to as “used water” instead. He shared in a toast with his fellow panelists, lauding the beer.

Throughout the years, Singapore has engaged in campaigns promoting water conservation and the use of treated water. A pivotal moment occurred in 2002 when the then-Prime Minister was photographed drinking NEWater, a significant step toward public acceptance. As global water scarcity issues worsen, the acceptance and understanding of treated wastewater will become increasingly critical in meeting the world’s water needs.

At the United Nations climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, attendees were intrigued by a surprising offering at the Singapore pavilion: free beer called NEWBrew, made from treated wastewater. This unique beverage, which some jokingly referred to as "sewage beer," aims to raise awareness about water scarcity issues.

Among those sampling the drink was Ignace Urchil Lokouako Mbouamboua, a student from Congo, who expressed delight upon learning about its ingredients. He even suggested producing more such beers, noting that it was his third consecutive day enjoying a can.

NEWBrew is crafted using NEWater—a term used in Singapore for its treated wastewater—part of a national initiative to conserve water in this water-scarce region. Singapore has adopted innovative methods to manage its water supply, as it lacks natural freshwater sources. The country relies on water imports from Malaysia and emphasizes water recycling, desalination, and catchment.

The presence of NEWBrew at the climate talks not only exemplifies Singapore’s commitment to sustainable water practices but also highlights the broader issue of providing clean drinking water as climate change intensifies. Leaders in water management often prefer to refer to "wastewater" as "used water" to shift perspectives on recycled water.

The Public Utilities Board of Singapore developed NEWBrew in collaboration with a local brewery. This initiative intends to normalize the concept of using recycled water, a topic that has received mixed reactions from the public. Previous campaigns have included high-profile moments, such as when former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong was photographed drinking NEWater in 2002, aimed at demonstrating its acceptance.

Participants at the conference, including Peter Rummel from Bentley Systems, commended the beer’s light and pleasant flavor. NEWBrew’s production reflects a growing acceptance of treated water, and the brewery reported producing around 15,000 cans annually. The brewery has crafted different flavors to promote acceptance, seeing a notable shift in perceptions among Singaporeans when treated water is incorporated into enjoyable products like beer.

As global water scarcity issues continue to escalate, experts like Saroj Kumar Jha from the World Bank stress the importance of promoting treated wastewater as part of sustainable water management strategies. During the discussions, he and fellow panelists raised NEWBrews to celebrate.

The presence of NEWBrew at the climate talks serves not only as a novel refreshment but also as a powerful reminder of the innovative approaches being adopted to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: ensuring access to safe drinking water for all.