Nature, Tradition & Culture
The Story of Teedawn
In 2014, Teedawn was the first craft brewery in the world to fully commit to NOLO (no and low alcohol) beer, heralding a new era for beer. Back then, talking about less alcohol wasn't popular, but we gained experience and a head start that we benefit from every day.
For Teedawn, non-alcoholic products aren't just a quick fix driven by the potential for a fast profit. Reducing alcohol is the very foundation and reason for our existence.
We have spent – and continue to spend – days and nights living up to our vision of creating great and natural sensory experiences with less alcohol through craftsmanship and pure ingredients. This can both be felt and tasted.
We strive for non-alcoholic products to be respected on an equal footing with alcoholic ones, so that people who choose non-alcoholic can achieve the same enjoyment as those who choose alcohol.
And we are a little proud that we have contributed to consumers now choosing non-alcoholic options out of desire, not necessity.
Most recently, we have succeeded in creating a range of non-alcoholic wines that – apart from sulfites – are free from additives. And which are created from first-class, unsprayed grapes.
Symbolism of Freedom
Teedawn [teedawn] is a phonetic play that signals warmth, freshness, friendliness, and care. And our bird symbolizes the experience of freedom to choose, which we strive for our products to give you and your surroundings.
When you choose Teedawn, you signal that every detail counts for you, also when it comes to including and embracing Mindful Drinkers.
You are making a choice that costs a little more, is much better and is not found on every street corner.
Join a community that values good hospitality and sets high standards for great taste.
The History of Non-Alcoholic Beer
Just as many of today's non-alcoholic beers stand on the shoulders of Teedawn, we also stand on the shoulders of hundreds of years of history and culture.
We've asked the esteemed journalist, author, and beer expert Christian Andersen to provide a brief overview of light beers. Here's what he says:
Historically, it wasn't always the case that beer contained 4.6 percent alcohol, like a standard Danish pilsner. And it certainly wasn't always the case that beer flirted with 8 percent alcohol, which is not uncommon among the many extreme beers of the beer revolution, where the race for higher percentages often sets the agenda.
Hvidtøl (white beer) is a good example of how beer doesn't necessarily have to be 4, 6, 8, or 10 percent. Until the mid-1800s, hvidtøl was virtually the only type of beer in Denmark. The alcohol percentage for hvidtøl was below 2.25. The best-selling hvidtøl in Denmark today has a modest 1.7 percent alcohol.
In old Europe, everyday beer had humble alcohol percentages. Beer for parties and holidays was stronger, but everyday beer always stayed below 3.0 percent alcohol and could even drop as low as 0.5 percent alcohol. Scarcity of malt, rationing during wars and crises, tax regulations, and imperfect technical equipment have all contributed to the very low alcohol percentages in beer over time.
NOLO beer was the standard.
Non-alcoholic beer is enjoyed by choice today but was invented out of necessity in the 1920s in the USA. It was during the Prohibition era in the US (1919-1933) that brewers started thinking about non-alcoholic beer. Only the production and sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages with no more than 0.5 percent alcohol was permitted during Prohibition. Therefore, brewers had to be creative and invented "near beer", better known as non-alcoholic beer.
Non-alcoholic beer has traditionally been of questionable quality. Let's be honest: Brewmasters didn't bother to put love into that kind of beer. The technique was also a challenge. The result was often a practical solution rather than a declaration of love.
A good example is the German Aubi. In 1972 in former East Germany, people drank Aubi, an Autofahrerbier (driver's beer). Driving with alcohol in the blood was strictly prohibited, but beer was a must, and several breweries developed Aubis for the beer-thirsty East Germans.
Only within the last 10 years, where Teedawn and like-minded companies have set a new standard for NOLO beer, is near beer no longer near but a genuine beer.
Christian Andersen, Journalist (dj), reviewer, and co-author of the book 'Den nøgne øl' (The Naked Beer).
