Dutch brewing company Heineken has launched alcohol-free lager Heineken 0.0 in the Canadian market.

The new lager is claimed to have been produced using natural flavours and contains 69 calories per 330ml can.

The company is also changing the labelling for its alcohol-free beer from green to blue.

Heineken global craft and brewmaster Willem van Waesberghe said: “Removing alcohol from regular 5% Heineken would have been easy, but it wouldn’t deliver the best tasting alcohol-free beer.

“Removing alcohol from regular 5% Heineken would have been easy, but it wouldn’t deliver the best tasting alcohol-free beer.”

“Heineken 0.0 is brewed from scratch and has a perfectly balanced taste with refreshing fruity notes and soft malty body.”

Canada is the first country in North America to see the launch of Heineken 0.0.

Heineken Canada senior marketing manager Beth Montgomery said: “Heineken 0.0 provides Canadians who are increasingly interested in living a balanced, healthy lifestyle the opportunity to enjoy every beer moment, while also encouraging responsible alcohol consumption.

“Heineken 0.0 is a refreshing beer that lets Canadians be part of every moment-made-for beer, whenever and wherever that may be.”

Heineken 0.0 is retailed in more than 16 markets worldwide and is available at Grocery Nationwide and other select retailers in Canada in six-packs of 330ml cans and bottles.