Innovating NA Beverages: Inside ABV Technology

ABV Technology is on a mission to make high-quality NA drinks accessible to more people and producers. Alex, the sales manager, and Spencer, the marketing lead, are helping drive the brand’s focus on providing a better non-alcoholic experience. Here’s how they’re innovating the industry.

Bringing Better-Tasting NA Beverages to Life

ABV Technology’s story began in 2015 when three founders recognized a major gap in the non-alcoholic market. They were struck by how limited and poor-tasting the available NA options were. This revelation inspired them to build a technology that could enhance NA beverage production while preserving flavor. The result of this vision was the “Equalizer,” a machine that creates both NA and alcoholic outputs from the same beverage, giving consumers more options without compromising on quality.

According to Alex, “The Equalizer allowed us to put an alcoholic beverage in and separate it into two outputs: a non-alcoholic drink and a filtered alcoholic beverage.” This approach, he adds, provides a healthier option to customers while allowing producers to double their offerings without significant extra work.

ABV’s Core Technologies: Equalizer, Analyzer, and Pasteurizer

ABV Technology’s system relies on three main components: the Equalizer, Analyzer, and Pasteurizer. Each machine plays a unique role in the production process, ensuring quality and safety for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Here’s how they work together:

1. Analyzer: This tool measures the Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of the input beverage before it enters the Equalizer. It ensures the labeling accuracy for each batch, critical for compliance and consumer safety.

2. Equalizer: This machine removes alcohol without using high temperatures, which can damage the flavor. “By using low-pressure vacuum technology, we can remove alcohol at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit,” explains Alex. This low temperature preserves aromatics and keeps the original taste intact.

3. Pasteurizer: Finally, the Pasteurizer stabilizes the beverage without preservatives, extending its shelf life. “There’s a growing demand for beverages without preservatives, and the Pasteurizer allows us to meet that need naturally,” adds Spencer.

With these three machines, ABV Technology offers a streamlined process for creating NA beverages that maintain the quality and taste of their alcoholic counterparts.

Expanding Access with a Service Model

While the ABV technology can be installed in large breweries, smaller producers often lack the resources or space for the full setup. To address this, ABV Technology provides a service model that allows producers to send their beverages to ABV for processing. As Alex explains, “Whether it’s a small neighborhood brewery or a winery, we offer de-alcoholization services so they can reach the NA market.”

This model means that a small brewery with limited space can send their beverage to ABV, receive both an NA version and a filtered alcoholic version, and expand their offerings without purchasing new equipment. ABV also works with beverage brands that don’t have manufacturing facilities, offering them NA bases that can be infused with flavors, cannabinoids, or other additives to suit their vision.

Why the Process Matters: Avoiding Common NA Pitfalls

Most people are unfamiliar with the details of NA production, but the process impacts the final product’s taste and texture. Many at-home methods suggest boiling alcohol out, which changes the beverage’s flavor profile. ABV Technology’s system, however, uses a low-pressure vacuum that maintains the drink’s original qualities. “We call it separation instead of boiling because we aren’t cooking the drink,” explains Alex. “It’s all about creating a process that keeps the flavors you want.”

This unique method makes ABV’s equipment attractive to breweries, cideries, and wineries across the country. And with the rising demand for high-quality NA products, ABV Technology’s service center in St. Paul, Minnesota, has become a go-to destination for producers looking to expand their offerings.

A Mission of Inclusivity

For ABV Technology, it’s not just about creating beverages—it’s about inclusivity. As Spencer points out, “The way people drink is changing. Some people want to cut back, while others can’t drink at all. We want to offer them options.” By transforming one liquid into both an NA and an alcoholic version, ABV Technology allows breweries to meet this growing demand without doubling their production.

This inclusivity benefits businesses, too. Breweries can serve NA and alcoholic versions of the same beverage, creating multiple revenue streams from a single product. “We want to make sure everyone at the table has an option,” says Spencer. “Whether it’s a THC-infused drink, an NA beer, or a seltzer, our technology lets any producer meet these needs.”

Expanding the THC and Adaptogen Space

ABV Technology also offers unique advantages for cannabis and adaptogen beverages, particularly with their Pasteurizer. In Minnesota, where THC drinks are legal in certain establishments, ABV Technology’s equipment has made it easier for brands to safely serve and package THC drinks without preservatives. “Pasteurization is a huge benefit for the THC space,” explains Spencer. “Consumers are getting more knowledgeable about what’s in their drinks, and a preservative-free option speaks to that.”

The system even benefits producers using cannabinoids, adaptogens, or other functional ingredients. With shelf stability provided by pasteurization, these beverages can be safely stored at room temperature, allowing brands to expand their distribution into stores and venues where cold storage isn’t available.

Choosing Crowdfunding to Build Community

Recently, ABV Technology launched a crowdfunding campaign through WeFunder. The goal is to engage supporters who believe in the mission of NA and “better-for-you” beverages. According to Spencer, “Crowdfunding lets the public be part of the journey.” The funds will support expanding ABV’s service centers, producing more pasteurizers, and increasing marketing efforts to raise awareness.

To date, ABV Technology has raised over $9 million, with their current WeFunder campaign raising $150,000 since launching in early October. “The community aspect is central to what we’re doing,” says Spencer. “Whether it’s a craft beer in a taproom or an NA THC drink at home, beverages bring people together. We want to carry that sense of community into our fundraising.”

For those interested in joining the campaign, investing is straightforward. Supporters can contribute as little as $100 and receive access to information on ABV Technology’s growth plans and financial projections. “It’s a chance for people to be part of something bigger, something that’s shaping the future of what we drink,” Spencer explains.

Scaling the Service Center Model

ABV Technology is based in St. Paul, Minnesota, but they have big plans to expand. Their service model allows producers to ship beverages from all over the country for processing, but the goal is to establish more service centers in other states. “We want to make it easier for more producers to access our technology,” says Alex.

With service centers in regions with dense brewery populations, ABV could support local producers, reducing transportation costs and making the process more efficient. This expansion will also allow ABV Technology to provide additional services, like end-to-end production from de-alcoholization to bottling and labeling, streamlining the entire process for small to mid-sized producers.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Inclusive Beverage Production

As demand for non-alcoholic options continues to grow, ABV Technology is positioning itself as a leader in the inclusive beverage movement. By providing technology that meets the needs of diverse consumers, from non-alcoholic to THC-infused drinks, ABV is changing the way we think about what’s possible in the beverage space.

For Alex and Spencer, the future is about more than just NA products. It’s about expanding access, breaking down barriers, and building a community that values healthier, inclusive drinking options. “We’re excited to see where this goes,” says Spencer. “With each new product and each new partner, we’re helping create a world where everyone can join the toast.”

For More Information About Investing in ABV Technology on WeFunder:

ABV Technology is paving the way for a new generation of non-alcoholic and “better-for-you” beverages. With innovative technology, they’re expanding access to quality NA options and supporting brands nationwide. If you’re interested in joining their journey and supporting their growth, check out their WeFunder page. There, you’ll find details on their mission, financials, and how you can be part of their vision for a more inclusive beverage industry.

Learn more and invest here: https://wefunder.com/abvtechnology/