As foreign brewers arrive in Vietnam, adding some diversity to the country's beer scene, Vietnamese mega-brewery, Sabeco, has announced a new addition to its large portfolio of beverages - non-alcoholic beer.

Saigon Binh Tay Beer JSC, maker of Saigon Red and 333 among others, plans to produce five million liters of non-alcoholic Sagota annually, said chairman Van Thanh Liem at the unveiling ceremony last Sunday, reports Tuoi Tre.

“Sagota is brewed in accordance with normal production steps like other beer products, except for the fact that alcohol is extracted from the beer,” Liem said.

Since drinkers of Sagota will not get drunk, the chairman said that the brew is suitable for women, athletes, and drivers.

Liem added that if the drink catches on, Saigon Binh Tay Beer will, “boost promotional campaigns to reach more drinkers,” and that if it catches on with consumers, “Alcohol-free beer thus emerges as a perfect solution for many beer-lovers.”

And they’ll be cheaper.

Foreign non-alcoholic beers from the Netherlands, Germany and Japan cost between VND20,000 to VND35,000 a can while Sagota costs VND12,000 a can, or VND274,000 per 24-can carton.

[Tuoi Tre]