October 14, 2026
If you visit Gault&Millau–awarded restaurants these days – such as Irin., Gašperov Mlyn or Mäso od Romana – you’ll be offered craft non-alcoholic beer brewed right in Liptov. But you can also find it in bars and pubs, as demand for non-alcoholic options is growing across the scene.
We spoke with Matúš Kozina, director of the Liptov-based brewery NILIO, about the role of beer in the culinary world, why for many it’s now considered “cool” not to drink alcohol, and about the science – and heart – behind good beer.
The Science Behind Non-Alcoholic Beer
Gen Z drinks less alcohol. All signs suggest that this trend is here to stay – even in a country that, let’s be honest, drinks quite a lot. Restaurants and bars are suddenly faced with diverse groups of guests who all want to enjoy themselves together. And even those who don’t drink alcohol still want to fully take part in the social experience. That’s where non-alcoholic cocktails and beers come into play.
Commercial non-alcoholic beers are often made by removing alcohol from the finished beverage. NILIO’s beers, however, are brewed without alcohol – and that’s where the science comes in. The idea to produce high-quality non-alcoholic beer first emerged in 2018. The recipe was developed in collaboration with a biotechnologist, Juraj, a graduate of the Slovak University of Technology’s Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology. He created the first prototype of NILIO, which then had to be fine-tuned and made ready for commercial production. It took a great deal of determination – nearly two years – before the first beer with only trace amounts of alcohol was successfully brewed.
Today, the drink tastes indistinguishable from its alcoholic counterpart, which sometimes even leads to confusion. Some customers have even tried to return their glass, convinced it was a mistake. “It happens that guests don’t believe the waiters when they tell them it’s really non-alcoholic, and the staff has to reassure them,” Kozina laughs. Experts have taken notice as well – NILIO received the Great Taste label and was ranked among the world’s top breweries at the World Beer Awards, winning bronze medals for YUZU SAMURAY and GREAT WARRIOR.
Gourmet Flavors
At NILIO, they love to combine the “uncombinable” – hemp with pineapple, mango with lemon. The result is a complex sequence of sensations, much like drinking a fine wine. “First comes the aroma, then the bouquet, and only afterwards the taste buds. The brain expects sweet mango, but on the tongue you find a beautiful bitter, intense, refreshing beer,” explains Kozina.
They’ve also experimented with a non-alcoholic stout, blending several types of malts and hops to create unusual combinations. “We use the darkest roasted malts, which bring notes of espresso and dark chocolate. Incidentally, it pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream,” he adds.
This year, their goal is to translate the authentic essence of Liptov into an elegant beer experience. A special edition will feature medovka (lemon balm) – a herb with delicate citrus undertones evoking the purity of mountain nature – paired with exotic fresh lemongrass. The result is an unexpectedly harmonious blend.
Beer and Fine Dining
Beer doesn’t have to be just a “pub drink” – it also has a place in Slovakia’s finest restaurants, and pairing gourmet dishes with craft beers is no longer a surprise. NILIO is even a member of the Slow Food Association.
“We care deeply about authenticity and honest craftsmanship, which is why we love working with restaurants that take their role seriously and are passionate about good food. A true beer can elevate the level of gastronomy and complete the story of what’s on the plate,” Kozina explains.
They are currently working with the Sisák family, the duo behind the renowned fine dining restaurant Vino & Tapas. The shared vision is to create an experience-driven tasting menu where NILIO’s non-alcoholic beers complement their signature flavors.
The season will culminate with a special event that has become a tradition at Vino & Tapas – the LadyChef dinner, a four-hands menu with an internationally respected female chef whose name will be announced soon.
About NILIO
NILIO is the first craft non-alcoholic brewery in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Founded in 2020 in Liptovský Mikuláš, it combines top-level science with honest craftsmanship. The brewery is defined by the high quality of its raw ingredients, traditional brewing methods, and naturally high levels of vitamins and minerals.
NILIO holds international Vegan certification, and all its beers are brewed exclusively from natural ingredients – no synthetic substances are used in production. The brewery focuses primarily on premium-quality non-alcoholic beer with the full flavor and character typical of modern craft beer.
