The News
Switchback Brewing Co. and Sustainable Beverage Technologies will showcase Krush® N.A. IPA, a non-alcoholic IPA developed in partnership with Yakima Chief Hops, at the Craft Brewers Conference on April 8, 2026. The product is brewed using BrewVo® technology, which was installed in Switchback's Burlington facility. This marks the first collaboration using the technology and highlights the brewery's commitment to non-alcoholic production.
This week I focus on Switchback Brewing Co.’s launch of a non‑alcoholic IPA using Sustainable Beverage Technologies’ BrewVo system presented at the Craft Brewers Conference. The launch marks Switchback’s entry into the fast‑growing NA market and shows how a membrane‑based process can fit into existing production lines.
A key detail is BrewVo’s proven 80,000‑barrel-per-year capacity at partner sites. Switchback’s first NA launch came in spring 2025; offering contract brewing now, the 80‑k capacity points to a viable upper limit for its own lineup and third‑party income. Background data also show the NA beer market expanding 29 % a year, far outpacing the overall craft sector’s 4 % decline. Combined, the figures suggest Switchback is uniquely positioned to chase a fast-moving trend without overextending its production scale.
Distributors and retailers should keep an eye on Switchback’s contract NA brewing—an extra revenue source that can plug gaps in their own lineups without new investment. Retailers know the Krush N.A. IPA will appear first at the conference and is not yet a shelf‑ready product; hold off on stocking until distribution paths are set. Bar managers could add this hop‑forward, low‑ABV IPA to entice health‑mindful customers, yet they should monitor its tasting‑room reception before locking it into permanent menu.
Given BrewVo’s 80,000‑barrel capacity and a 29 % yearly rise in NA beer sales, Switchback stands ready to tap regional demand and grow contract brewing income.
Added May 2026: for buyers comparing NA and traditional beer production, Switchback’s use of BrewVo highlights how non-alcoholic beers can be produced without major overhauls to existing brewing infrastructure. The company’s strategic entry into the NA market through contract brewing suggests a flexible approach that could appeal to smaller distributors looking to diversify their offerings.
Original Press Release
Switchback Brewing Co. and Sustainable Beverage Technologies to Showcase BrewVo® Innovation and “Krush N.A. IPA” at Craft Brewers Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BURLINGTON, VT (April 8, 2026) — Switchback Brewing Co. and Sustainable Beverage Technologies (SBT) will showcase the next phase of their partnership at the upcoming Craft Brewers Conference with the debut of Krush® N.A. IPA, a non-alcoholic collaboration brewed using BrewVo® technology.
The announcement builds on news first shared in January, when Switchback revealed plans to bring non-alcoholic production fully in-house through the installation of a BrewVo system, establishing the brewery as the only BrewVo production facility in the East.
Now, just months later, that investment is already taking shape through collaborative product development and expanded capabilities.
From Installation to Innovation
With BrewVo now being integrated into its Burlington facility, Switchback is moving beyond infrastructure and into execution, developing new products and partnerships that demonstrate the potential of the technology.
Krush N.A. IPA, developed in partnership with Yakima Chief Hops, serves as an early example of what that future looks like: a hop-forward non-alcoholic IPA designed to deliver full flavor, body, and balance.
“We’ve always approached beer with a focus on drinkability and balance,” said President and Founder Bill Cherry. “What BrewVo unlocks is the ability to bring that same approach to non-alcoholic beer, without compromise, and to do it not just for ourselves, but alongside partners.”
Expanding Access to High-Quality N.A. Production
The BrewVo installation positions the brewery as a hub for non-alcoholic production on the East, offering breweries and beverage brands access to advanced N.A. capabilities without the need to build their own systems.
That vision is now beginning to materialize. By combining BrewVo technology with Switchback’s brewing expertise, the Burlington facility provides a pathway for partners seeking:
Consistent, scalable non-alcoholic production
Proven flavor retention
A collaborative, brewery-to-brewery approach
Experience it at CBC
Krush N.A. IPA was created to demonstrate the real-world potential of BrewVo technology in a modern craft style. The beer features expressive hop character from Yakima Chief Hops, a full, satisfying body, and clean bitterness with a balanced finish. Sample Krush N.A. IPA and learn more about BrewVo technology and opportunities at the Craft Brewers Conference.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Bevnet site
- Nabeerclub site
- Brewersassociation site
- Nombase site
- Zoominfo site
- Brewvo site
- Linkedin site
- Brewvo site
Source: BevNET