Calls for non-alcoholic beer to be as easy to purchase as alcoholic beer at Geelong venues

As alcohol-free drinks climb in popularity, people are calling for more teetotal options at the footy.

Torquay’s Tony Smith says GMHBA Stadium and other venues in Geelong should offer an alcohol free beer. Picture: Mark Wilson

There are calls for booze-free beers to be just as easy to purchase as alcoholic options at Geelong venues, including at GMHBA Stadium.

Non-alcoholic beers, including Carlton Zero and Great Northern Zero, are available at some bars at GMHBA Stadium and patrons can request for them to be brought to their closest outlet.

But Torquay grandfather Tony Smith said he asked for a non-alcoholic beer for his mate at the football last season but was told soft drinks and juice were the only booze-free options available.

“I’ve been to three games this season as well and it’s the same problem,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith, who enjoys both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers, said there was still a stigma around not having a beer with your mates.

“You go through the supermarket and it’s flying off the shelves, people are obviously drinking it,” he said.

Mr Smith said non-alcoholic beer options should be available at more venues across Geelong and the Surf Coast.

The non-alcoholic beer market in Australia is booming, with industry revenue rising from $133m in 2018 to $225m in 2024.

About 32 per cent of consumers said they had drank an alcohol-free beer in the last 12 months, according to the Australian Craft Beer Survey in 2022.

Geelong woman Sam Wilson quit drinking in February 2020 and founded Sober Mates, which shares sobriety information and resources to thousands of followers online.

Sober Mates founder Sam Wilson. Picture: Alan Barber

She said non-alcoholic beer should be available at any bar at GMHBA Stadium to make it easier for people wanting to purchase.

“With the change in culture, people are more health conscious and it can be pretty easy to find alcohol-free options at most pubs where they are showing sports,” Ms Wilson said.

She said Geelong was “moving forward” in terms of offering more non-alcoholic options.

“It’s a slow burn to change culture,” Ms Wilson said.

“The one thing we need to improve is our visibility and businesses should showcase their alcohol-free products more.”

A poll by the AFL Fans Association found that 73 per cent were in favour of stadiums serving alcohol-free beer at the football.

DrinkWise chief executive Simon Strahan said recent data from the organisation showed 74 per cent of people believed having zero and lower strength beer options available would help them manage their alcohol intake.

“The increasing range of zero-alcohol products is in response to changing consumer preferences and the fact people are mindful about how much alcohol they are consuming,” he said.

“With 94 per cent of AFL fans saying an event can be ruined by people drinking too much, it is clear that people are becoming more conscious of their choices around alcohol.”

Food and beverage served at GMHBA Stadium is managed by the O’Brien Group and Geelong Cats’ catering arm Higher Mark.

Originally published as Calls for non-alcoholic beer to be as easy to purchase as alcoholic beer at Geelong venues