Non-Alcoholic Beer in Saudi Arabia; A European-Style Café in Riyadh Sparks Controversy

The action of a café in Saudi Arabia in offering non-alcoholic beer has stirred extensive reactions across the kingdom.

According to Rokna, the “Arabic Newsroom” platform, in a report titled “Widespread Criticism and Controversy in Saudi Arabia Over Halal Beer,” wrote that Saudi Arabia in recent days has witnessed significant uproar due to the serving of halal beer, to the extent that people are competing with one another to drink it, and this has generated broad criticism and controversy within the country.

According to this Arabic platform, a café in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has created an environment resembling international pubs but with a Saudi spirit, where it serves alcohol-free beer, peanuts, and a screen for broadcasting matches, and customers can record their experiences of being in this café.

One young Saudi, speaking about these halal beers, said: “I have no problem with it — neither with how it looks nor with its taste and color. As long as its alcohol percentage is zero, it is natural, and I have no issue with it.”

According to the Newsroom platform, this unfamiliar scene reflects the changes that Saudi society is currently experiencing.