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In this paper, the conceptual design of a hybrid process consisting of a dealcoholization task via nanofiltrationfollowed by a permeate valorization task via distillation is deeply investigated for the case of a lagerbeer. To this end, we resorted to conceptual models of each task.The conceptual model of the nanofiltration task, which is built from experiments al lab scale with themembrane NF99 HF (Alfa Laval, Sweden), allows the proper modeling of the three consecutive sub-tasks inwhich the process is divided; namely, pre-concentration, constant volume diafiltration, and re-dilution. Estimationof the overall permeation coefficient and the variation of the osmotic pressure difference throughoutthe pre-concentration stage are key in the model development. For the scaling-up of the membrane unit,the pressure loss issue is taken into account. The result of this task is a beer with an alcohol content below0.5% by volume.For the conceptual modeling of the distillation task, a pinch-based method is adopted to allow a proper estimationof the minimum energy demand of the task, with feasible separations constrained by the presenceof the azeotrope ethanol-water. This task is divided into two consecutive sub-tasks. In the first stage the alcoholis recovered as an ethanol-water mixture to be used for on-site Gin production by operating the rectifierin constant distillate composition mode (and thus at variable reflux ratio). In the second stage, operated at aconstant reflux ratio, both the second cut, which is recycled to the next batch, and the water-rich content inthe still at the end of the distillation step, which is recycled to the subsequent nanofiltration stage, are obtained.Economic and environmental performance of the hybrid process is compared with that of a case basewith both units operating as standalone processes. In the latter case, the water-rich content in the still at theend of the distillation step is treated in a biological treatment plant on-site.Applied to an annual production of 720 000 L of alcohol-free beer, the total cost of the standalone variantwas 193 600 US$/year while the cost of the hybrid process was 205 500 US$/year; that is, 6.2% higher.On the other hand, and according to the life cycle assessment carried out, the Hybrid process has a lowerenvironmental load. Results analyzed as a whole indicate the appropriateness of the Hybrid process.

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