Peroni

The flagship Nastro Azzurro arrived in 1963. The name translates as "blue ribbon" and pays tribute to the SS Rex, an Italian ocean liner that claimed the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing in 1933. The beer became synonymous with Italian style: pale, crisp, and suited to warm evenings and good company.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% joined the range in 2022. The Rome brewery developed a process that builds the full flavour profile before gently removing the alcohol. The result retains the pale golden colour and clean, dry finish that made the original popular. A signature ingredient, Nostrano dell'Isola maize grown in Lombardy, appears in both versions.

The alcohol-free Nastro Azzurro works where the original always has: Italian restaurants, pizza nights, sunny afternoons. It pours with a light carbonation and delivers subtle malt sweetness balanced by a hint of citrus. The finish is quick and refreshing rather than lingering.

Asahi Breweries acquired Peroni in 2016, bringing Japanese ownership to an Italian icon. The AF launch reflects broader industry movement toward moderation options, and Peroni's global distribution means the 0.0% version reaches a wide audience. You'll find it in UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose, as well as in restaurants and bars that stock the full-strength version.

The branding, the bottle, the taste profile all stay familiar. That consistency is the point: Nastro Azzurro 0.0% is aimed squarely at existing Peroni drinkers rather than AF converts, and on those terms it does the job.