Veltins

Veltins brews under the Reinheitsgebot, Germany's traditional purity code restricting beer ingredients to water, malt, hops, and yeast, and sources spring water from its own protected nature reserve in the Grevenstein mountains. The brewery introduced an alcohol-free pilsner as early as 1991, an unusually early commitment for a regional brewer of its scale. In 2020 it reformulated to a confirmed 0.0% ABV, using a gentle dealcoholisation process in which the beer is brewed to full strength and then has the alcohol removed, preserving the aroma of the original lager.

The AF range covers 0.0% pilsners and Radlers (the traditional German blend of beer and lemonade), positioned for sober-curious drinkers who want a well-established European lager with a documented heritage rather than a newer specialist brand. Beyond the brewery, Veltins has held the naming rights to the Veltins-Arena, home of FC Schalke 04, since 2005, giving the brand an unusual public profile for an independent regional brewery. The company distributes to more than 30 countries worldwide, with the 0.0% range available through specialist alcohol-free retailers.