# Algae-Tinted Blue Beers This French Craft Beer's Novel Color Comes From a Spirulina Ingredient By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2022-02-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-beers References: [reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/sacrebleu-french-brewers-use-algae-make-blue-beer-2022-02-03/) & [shop.easybeer.fr](https://shop.easybeer.fr/hoppyurbanbrew/produits/line-2-0-bouteille-0-33l-46760)  Hoppy Urban Brew, a [craft brewer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fonio-beer) based in the city of Roubaix in northern France, has launched a blue beer that makes use of a special algae in order to achieve its distinctive hue and appearance. The 'Line' beer, developed as part of a collaboration with a farming startup by the name of Etika Spirulina, makes use of a special ingredient called phycocyanin, a pigment-protein complex within the spirulina that generates a blue color when infused into the beer during brewing. As far as the flavor is concerned, this blue beer is said to be a hoppy offering that is light-bodied and accented with fruity hints, with the spirulina not affecting its taste whatsoever. Around 1,500 bottles of the blue beer were reportedly sold between October and December 2021, with more batches set to be produced in order to meet the increased level of interest in this unique brew. Image Credit: REUTERS/Ardee Napolitano ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 44% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Algae-infused Drinks:** Opportunity for beverage companies to innovate by adding algae or spirulina in order to achieve unique colors while maintaining the original flavor of the drink. - **Novelty Beverages:** Innovation opportunity for craft brewers to experiment with unique ingredients in order to attract consumers who appreciate novelty products. - **Natural Food Coloring:** Increased demand for natural food coloring gives an opportunity for algae or spirulina-based food colorants to be used in a variety of food and beverage products. ### Where This Applies - **Craft Beer:** Craft brewers can use algae and other unique ingredients to create novel beverages that appeal to adventurous consumers. - **Beverages:** Opportunity for beverage companies to experiment with natural food colorants, such as spirulina, to add innovation to their product lines. - **Food Coloring:** The natural food coloring industry can use algae and other alternatives to synthetic dyes to meet the increasing demand for natural products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Blue Spirulina-Based Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-spirulina-drink.md) - [Blue Spirulina Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bluwater-beverage.md) - [Naturally Blue Bubbly Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fulwater.md) - [Naturally Blue Absinthe Spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/absinthia-absinthe-bleue.md) - [Brewed Olive Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oliba-green-beer.md) - [Magenta-Hued Belgian-Style Wheat Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magenta-moon.md) - [Blueberry-Based Fruited Ales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruited-ales.md) - [Blue Cheese Craft Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-cheese-ale.md) - [Color-Changing Drink Drops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blure.md)