Advances in AI brewing led by rising demand for ‘specialty beer’

Demand for gluten-free, low-carb and alcohol-free beers is causing the sector to adopt digital brewing techniques and enzyme biotechnology.

Beers made using advancements in digital technology such as AI as well as enzymes like amylase, added to boost brewing efficiency, are on the rise.

According to data from this year’s Brewing Enzymes Market Analysis Report, the brewing enzymes sector is set to grow from where it stood at US$534.1 million in 2024 to reach a value of US$792.8 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%.

The techniques, according to the research have been “driven by rising beer consumption and craft brewery innovations” and the findings have shown that when it comes to this area of brewing, “Asia-Pacific leads with a 40.7% share”.

The research shows that “enzymes like amylase dominate, boosting brewing efficiency and specialty beer creation” while the report identifies how “advancements in enzyme biotechnology and digital brewing foster expansion, while regulatory and cost challenges persist”.

The report explained how “brewing enzymes are specialised biocatalysts that accelerate and optimise key biochemical processes during beer and wine production”. Or, put more simply, breweries can benefit because “these enzymes help improve production efficiency, enable the use of unmalted grains and adjuncts, ensure consistency across batches, and are instrumental in crafting specialty beer varieties such as gluten-free, low-carb, or alcohol-free options.”

The findings also identified how “this growth is driven by rising global beer consumption, increasing disposable incomes, and the proliferation of craft breweries focused on innovation and quality”. Plus, it noted how “health-conscious consumers are pushing demand for better-for-you beers, which require targeted enzyme applications”.

Taking this into account, it was highlighted how “breweries-both large and small-are adopting enzymes to cut costs, increase yields, and experiment with novel ingredients”. This has meant that “advancements in enzyme biotechnology and integration of digital brewing technologies like AI and IoT are further supporting market expansion”.

Despite the many wins for the future of brewing and the progress in the field, the researchers did warn that other factors may hinder the sector’s progress when it comes to advancements in brewing. For instance, the researchers stated that “regulatory complexity, high development costs for specialised enzymes, traditional brewer resistance, raw material price volatility, and sensitivity to temperature or pH conditions” were all elements that could “present challenges that could limit adoption”.

Despite these hurdles, the efficiency and versatility of brewing advancements continues to make them “an essential tool in modern brewing operations”. Back in 2023, beer made using unmalted barley rather than malted, stated that it could revolutionise the brewing industry to make it more eco-friendly, but the notion divided the industry. To follow this, the use of genetically modified (GM) yeast being used more widely in brewing became hotly debated within the global beer sector due to the fact that despite futuristic advancements in beer being made, not everyone is a fan.

Further advancements ensued and, for instance, last year, scientists revealed that they had found a way to train AI to identify beer flavour compounds to make predictions on what consumers will enjoy drinking the most.

The new report also outlined how “the surge in craft beer popularity, especially in India, Japan, and Australia, along with the use of local raw materials like rice and sorghum, necessitates enzymes such as amylases, proteases, and beta-glucanase for efficient conversion and quality enhancement”.

Additionally,  it noted how growing health awareness is also boosting demand for low-calorie, gluten-free beer which has meant that “regional breweries and global players are investing in tailored enzyme solutions and modern brewing technologies” to meet these growing consumer needs.

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