How does this not become alcoholic?
It is usually alcoholic. 0.5-2%. Here stores sell most commonly 0.5% one which is regulated to be sold like a non-alcoholic drink.
Usually they remove the alcohol later. The taste is similar to a alcohol-free Guinness (but sweeter).
I understand that Kvass is around 1% alcohol.
By Russian standards, this is "non-alcoholic".
Short brewing time. Finnish sima is similar - sugar, lemon, water, yeast, ferment for a couple of days. Alcoholic drinks are usually fermented much longer, aged, and processed much more intensively.