How a challenge became an alcohol-free beer empire

Raoul tells us about a simple idea that accidentally turned into an online shop with hundreds of beers, all under 0.5% ABV.

It all began with a simple idea. Or rather, an annual, self-imposed challenge. Raoul, born in Maastricht and raised in Brabant, once decided with a friend not to drink alcohol between Carnival and Easter. A refreshing change, he thought. But then again... what do you drink?

Instead of just drinking Coke, he went in search of truly delicious non-alcoholic beer. Not standard non-alcoholic beers from the supermarket, but specialty beers that would make your taste buds dance. He scoured the entire country, ordering from obscure online shops abroad, and discovered how limited the selection actually was.

Until a friend said, "If you're so passionate about this, why don't you start your own business?" And so, in the living room during the coronavirus pandemic, OnderNulPuntVijf was born : the online shop for lovers of non-alcoholic craft beer. It started with 10 beers and a self-built website. The selection has now grown to over 350 beers. All under 0.5% alcohol, each with its own story.

Beer without a hangover

Raoul isn't an "anti-alcohol missionary." He simply loves beer. From Palm to Duvel, from Belgian classics to craft beers from all over the world. But after years of tasting, he realized what alcohol does to you: worse sleep, waking up less rested, and those infamous "Why did I do that again?" moments.

With non-alcoholic beer, he discovered the best of both worlds: the taste and experience of craft beer, without the drawbacks of alcohol. His first true love began about 10 years ago with a Palm 0.3%. Back then, non-alcoholic beer was more of a curiosity than a trend. Since then, his mission has been clear: to show that a sub-zero beer can be just as exciting, flavorful, and versatile as a non-alcoholic beer.

And yes, you could definitely call it "alcohol-free." Because below zero degrees, your body breaks down the alcohol before it even enters your bloodstream. So you can drink all night long without blurry photos or painful memories the next day.

Below zero point five? There's more spice in it than you think.

There are still many misconceptions about non-alcoholic beer. "It tastes like nothing ," is one of them. Raoul can laugh heartily about that. Quality has exploded in recent years. Small breweries use special yeast strains that produce hardly any alcohol while still preserving all the flavors.

Even more remarkable: Beer is often isotonic below zero degrees Celsius . Yes, you read that right: It replenishes fluids and minerals after exercise better than water. In Germany and England, a non-alcoholic beer after a marathon is perfectly normal.

This makes Subzero beer not just for drivers or early-morning partygoers. It's for anyone who wants taste without a hangover, and according to Raoul, that makes it a growth market in the beer world.

Fridge full of happiness and a laptop as a brewing kettle

Anyone who opens Raoul's fridge is transported to craft beer heaven. Every new beer that arrives in the store is the first to be tried. Sometimes out of curiosity for new flavors, sometimes simply because... well, he feels like it.

His workspace is less romantic, but just as important: his laptop. From here, he manages everything: inventory management, social media, and the weekly newsletter to over five thousand customers. Because at ONP5, you don't buy an anonymous package. Raoul and his regular crew: Bas, Zoë, Loanna, and Fenna, know their customers. First-time orders receive a warm welcome. Regular customers might even find on the menu: "Here's our taste adventurer again!"

Positive, customer-friendly and a bit chaotic

Raoul describes himself in three words: "positive" ("My glass is always half full"), "customer-friendly," and "people-oriented." This latter quality is evident not only in his interactions with customers, but also in the relationships he builds with breweries. Take, for example, the Belgian brewer at GOD, who personally drives across the border to deliver supplies. Or the brewer at Pronck in Leiden, who acted as Raoul's lawyer when he ran into trouble with the NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority).

But he also admits: Behind the scenes, things can sometimes be quite chaotic. The trunk of his car is silent proof of this. Nevertheless, he manages to present everything customers see, from product photos to flavor descriptions, meticulously and professionally. After all, he tasted and described everything himself.

Three beers that sum up Raoul in one sip

Ask Raoul for three beers that characterize him as an entrepreneur and as a person, and you'll get a box that almost tells his autobiography.

For beginners: La Trappe Epos. A refreshing, non-alcoholic blond Trappist beer, created after Raoul personally collaborated with the brewer on the recipe.

For the brave: Sour Flying Dutchman "Freak Kriek." A tart, fresh fruit beer that will awaken your taste buds. Like coffee, but among beers.

For those undecided: Whiplash "Never Drink Again" New England IPA. Smooth, fruity, and guaranteed to make you happy with your choice of non-alcoholic beer.

Whether you're a beginner, a daredevil, or a doubter, ONP5 always has the right beer for you. With Onder Nul Punt Vijf, Raoul proves that non-alcoholic beer is no longer a boring niche. It's a world full of flavor, experiences, and stories, where hangovers aren't welcome, but conviviality is all the more welcome. Or, as he puts it: "With us, people don't just buy a beer, they buy the experience."

And if you find non-alcoholic beer boring: One sip from Raoul's range and you'll be proven wrong. 😉