Skol debuts Zero Zero: Brazil’s first* 0 alcohol, 0 sugar beer

Skol rolls out Zero Zero, Brazil’s first* beer with zero alcohol and zero sugar, kicking off at São Paulo’s Carnival.

Famous for its “goes down smooth” identity, Skol opens 2026 with a product aimed at people who still want the toast, but with more balanced choices. Named Skol Zero Zero, the release targets different consumer profiles and reinforces Skol’s innovation play—this time in the fast-growing non-alcoholic beer space.

Ambev says Skol Zero Zero is “doubly smooth”: zero sugar, zero alcohol, gluten-free and 12 calories per 350 ml can. On a volume basis, the company states it has 3 calories per 100 ml.

How Skol Zero Zero is made

According to Ambev, the result comes after research and repeated testing to refine the production process. The core challenge, says Valdecir Duarte, Ambev’s VP of Supply, is managing the natural sugars from the grains used in the recipe.

“Sugar is a natural part of the production process of any beer and comes from the grains used in each recipe. During fermentation, these sugars are consumed by yeast, turning them into alcohol and carbon dioxide present in beer. In Skol Zero Zero, our brewmaster team improved the production technique to ensure these sugars are fully transformed into alcohol, which in the end is 100% removed from the beer,” Duarte says.

He also points to two features positioned as differentiators: being gluten-free and delivering low calories per serving, totaling 12 calories in a 350 ml can.

Why Carnival is the launch stage

The first market stop is São Paulo, chosen because Skol sponsors the city’s 2026 Carnival. The strategy taps one of Brazil’s biggest moments for beverage trial and visibility, when millions spend hours in street blocs and parties.

In her view, a “doubly smooth” beer expands drinking occasions and supports moderation, while keeping beer’s social role at the center of gatherings and celebrations.

A growing segment, a bigger portfolio

The launch also follows rising demand for what Ambev calls “balanced choices.” In the third quarter of 2025, the company reports 65% growth in a portfolio that includes non-alcoholic, gluten-free, or lower-calorie beers—driven by Stella Pure Gold (up more than 150%) and Michelob Ultra (up around 80%).

For non-alcoholic beer specifically, Ambev cites growth above 20%, suggesting the category is winning new occasions. With Skol Zero Zero, the brand becomes Ambev’s fourth zero-alcohol beer, alongside Brahma Zero, Budweiser Zero and Corona Cero—a lineup the company says keeps it leading Brazil’s zero-alcohol segment.

Photo: Divulgação