GEA technology makes it possible: World’s first 0.0% alcohol-free Rauchbier brewed in Bamberg
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A cult beer goes alcohol-free – with full smoky flavor intact: In Bamberg, GEA AromaPlus has enabled the world’s first 0.0% Rauchbier. An innovation that combines tradition and technology – and has already won international recognition.
0.0% cult beer from Bamberg
GEA technology makes it possible: World’s first 0.0% alcohol-free Rauchbier brewed in Bamberg
Düsseldorf, September 10, 2025 – With its AromaPlus membrane filtration technology, GEA has enabled a genuine world premiere in Bamberg: the first Rauchbier with 0.0% alcohol. The partner is the Kaiserdom Group with its traditional Klosterbräu brewery. The process preserves the aroma, body, and color – and ensures that even the characteristic beechwood smoke of the Bamberg specialty remains in the beer without alcohol.
A niche within a niche – with international success
Rauchbier, a smoked beer, is considered a cult product, appreciated by connoisseurs for its strong, smoky aroma. “Non-alcoholic Rauchbier is a niche within a niche,” says managing director Felix Wörner, who is leading the Kaiserdom family business into the future. “But those who try it are enthusiastic. The smoky character is fully preserved.” Even before its official market launch, the beer won international recognition: it received bronze at the World Beer Awards.
Preserving tradition, daring to innovate
The roots of smoked beer go back centuries, to a time when almost every beer was dried over an open fire. With the takeover of Klosterbräu in 2017, Kaiserdom decided to revive the tradition. The Rauchbier has established itself, winning several awards, including gold medals at the European Beer Star and top awards at the World Beer Awards. With the non-alcoholic version, another milestone has now been reached.
Technology that carries the taste
Kaiserdom has relied on the GEA AromaPlus system for years to produce non-alcoholic beers such as lagers and wheat beers. The process is based on reverse osmosis membranes that selectively allow water and alcohol to pass through at low temperatures. The aroma, color and body are retained – a decisive advantage over conventional methods such as arrested fermentation or distillation. This approach pays off especially with Rauchbier: roasted and smoky notes of beechwood, dark chocolate, hints of ham and whiskey also define the 0.0% version.
“Dealcoholization is always a balancing act between technology and taste. With AromaPlus, even characterful specialty beers such as Rauchbier can be dealcoholized without losing their profile,” explains Ralf Scheibner, Product Manager Membrane Technology at GEA. “That Kaiserdom has launched a globally unique product with this technology shows the potential AromaPlus opens up for breweries."
Market with prospects
The German beer market has been shrinking for years. Non-alcoholic beer, on the other hand, is growing steadily. Kaiserdom sees the new variety as an offering for people who are consciously avoiding alcohol but don't want to miss out on the taste of traditional beers. “We see that non-alcoholic beers are helping to cushion losses in the overall market. The Rauchbier 0.0% is a strong signal from Bamberg on how to combine tradition and innovation,” says Wörner.
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GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology. With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated revenues of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2024 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
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