Ex-Munster star Peter O'Mahony launching new zero alcohol beer brand

The rugby legend is launching the new drinks in association with Blarney Brewing

A new line of zero alcohol beers co-founded by Munster and Ireland rugby star Peter O'Mahony will hit Irish bars and stores next month. Picture: Inpho/Dan Sheridan

A new line of zero alcohol beers co-founded by Munster and Ireland rugby star Peter O'Mahony will hit Irish bars and stores next month.

Active Brewing is a new beverage company co-founded by Peter O'Mahony and brewer Pat Falvey, in association with Blarney Brewing. Active Brewing's first two products are a lager and a pale ale, which are currently in production, launching in February.

The partners have already invested "several hundred thousand euro" in the new products, says co-founder Mr Falvey, with further additions with a health and wellness lean coming later in the year.

"Our first beer is due to come to package at the end of this month. We will be formally appointing a distributor in the next three weeks," said Mr Falvey.

"The first two products are a straight-up N/A beer and a pale ale, but we're leaning heavily into the wellness space, as well as our 'functional' beers.

Pat Falvey and Duncan Blair of Blarney Brewery. Picture: Chani Anderson

"We're formulating three further products before the year ends, which will provide health and wellness benefits as well as being alcohol free. We'll be launching a recovery beer, which is aimed at the active sector, aiding recovery through adding extra electrolytes, vitamins, and protein. 

"Later in the year, we'll have two further beers: one will be a focus/cognitive benefit product using ingredients including Lions Mane mushroom. Another will focus on immunity and rest, and will contain reishi mushroom. 

The non-alcohol space is booming, and where we see the market going, we see an opportunity for a point of difference tapping into the wellness space.

After a glittering playing career, former Lions skipper Mr O'Mahony, 36, retired at the end of the 2025 season, but the flanker has remained busy. "This is something we have ben working on for the last nine or 10 months building the concept. Primarily, Peter has been very involved in product development, packaging and design work," said Mr Falvey.

The Active Brewing lager and Active Brewing pale ale will be available in 330ml bottle for the on-trade and in 330ml cans for the off-trade.

Peter O'Mahony hung up his boots in 2025 after a glittering career. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The zero alcohol and low alcohol market has been growing at a rapid pace in recent years, in parallel to a downward trend in alcohol consumption, which has dropped by 34% over the past two decades. Non-alcohol beers grew by 25% in 2024, according to industry group Drinks Ireland, while non-alcohol beer production increased by 77% in 2024. 

Non-alcohol beer now accounts for more than 2.5% of the overall beer market — still a niche in wider terms but a 150% increase in market share over five years.

Industry players like Heineken and Diageo have heavily pushed their 'zero' product credentials. Indeed, sales of Guinness 0.0 in bars have grown 27% in the last year, with the non-alcoholic version to take up 12% of total stout production at the Dublin brewery this year.