Ex-Munster captain launches innovative non-alcoholic beer

Former Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions rugby captain Peter O’Mahony is part of a new team now. The Corkman has joined Active Brewing Company, a new Cork-based non-alcoholic beer venture co-founded with Pat Falvey of Blarney Brewing Company.

Launching this February, Active Brewing Company said it is “positioning itself at the intersection of beer, wellness and modern social habits, reflecting a growing shift in how people approach alcohol, health and performance”.

The company’s initial releases will include two 0.0% beers — a non-alcoholic lager and a non-alcoholic pale ale — both developed with a focus on flavour and drinkability rather than functionality alone.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr O’Mahony said: “As an athlete, I spent years looking for non-alcoholic options. From a sporting point of view, you become very aware of how important recovery and balance are and, a lot of people are thinking the same way now. Over time, it became clear there was a gap for something that worked alongside an active lifestyle, rather than against it.

“Non-alcoholic beer isn’t a niche anymore. The origin of the idea to create Active Brewing Company came from the vision we had of creating socially acceptable non-alcoholic beers that supported recovery and wellbeing. We believe that these beers will appeal to a wide range of outgoing, sociable consumers especially those who are active in the fitness and wellbeing space,” he concluded.

While the first releases are traditional in style, they form part of a broader vision for the brand. Later in 2026, Active Brewing Company plans to introduce a range of functional non-alcoholic beers, beginning with a product called Recover, designed for post-activity consumption. The beer will include added electrolytes and vitamins aimed at supporting hydration and replenishment.

Recover will be the first of three functional beers the company intends to bring to market before the end of the year. Future releases will focus on recovery, rest and immunity, and mental focus, incorporating ingredients more commonly associated with functional nutrition, including proteins, vitamins, electrolytes and medicinal mushroom extracts such as Lion’s Mane and Reishi.

For both founders, Active Brewing Company intends to reflect those evolving habits — offering beers that fit into active lifestyles while retaining the social role traditionally associated with beer.

“We want to create beers that allow people to stay social while supporting an active, balanced life,” the founders said. “That’s what Active Brewing Company is about.”

Active Brewing Company’s first non-alcoholic lager and pale ale will be available nationwide from February.