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BrewDog has boosted its low-alcohol beer portfolio with Punk AF, which the Scottish brewer says “delivers all the attitude and flavour” of its flagship Punk IPA. The beer maker said the launch marks a new chapter in its quest for craft beer perfection in the low-alcohol category. With an ABV of 0.5%, Punk AF is said to have grassy and pine notes, sitting on a solid malt bassline. The brew is available now in the UK in both 300ml cans and bottles. James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, said: “Punk IPA is the beer that kick-started a revolution. With the creation of Punk AF, we’re continuing to push our limits and expand the possibility of what craft beer can be. We’re tearing down the image of alcohol-free beer as weak and flavourless. Say hello to the punkest new beer in town.” Following a backlash for creating what it described as “Britain’s strongest beer”, BrewDog released Nanny State in 2009 to counter critics.

The focus on Nanny State is on flavour rather than alcoholic strength, and it has now become BrewDog’s fourth-biggest product in the UK off-trade, contributing to 5.7% of the total portfolio, and delivering 38.7% value growth year on year.   Last October, Scotland-headquartered BrewDog closed its Equity for Punks V crowdfunding round, securing £26.2 million in one year.  A total of 50,000 people invested in the crowdfunding drive, more than the total of the previous four Equity for Punks crowdfunding rounds combined. Funds raised through the initiative are supporting BrewDog to expand its breweries in both Ellon, Scotland, and Columbus, Ohio, as well as accelerating the construction of its new site in Brisbane, Australia. In April, the company acquired a brewery and taproom in Berlin from US-based Stone Brewing, as it aims to further elevate the status of craft beer in Germany.