Industry

Tom Holland’s non-alcoholic beer brand, BERO, secures private-equity backing at a valuation above $100 million. (wsj.com | Recent Non-Alc Activity)

Nowadays signals longevity ambitions by hiring a former Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau program manager as its first director of regulatory affairs. (bevnet.com)

At Bar Convent Berlin, the on-premise playbook shifts as credibility replaces brand control in bar relationships. (youtube.com)

Next-gen beverage brands win by blending wellness, functional benefits, and THC with intentional pleasure and emotional storytelling. (lbbonline.com)

Dry January’s growing popularity highlights falling alcohol consumption, pressuring producers while boosting values-driven, low-ABV local brands. (seattletimes.com)

Diageo is weighing asset sales in China as alcohol consumption declines and turnaround pressures mount. (sherwood.news)

CleanCo accelerates US expansion, leveraging premium alcohol-free spirits as moderation-driven drinking habits rapidly go mainstream. (beveragedaily.com)

Emotional clarity, not features, is driving premium beverage growth and shelf success. (linkedin.com)

Sports franchises and athletes are driving rapid growth of premium non-alcoholic drinks as mainstream lifestyle choices. (frontofficesports.com)

Proposed federal bill could delay the hemp ban three years, buying time to establish clearer regulation. (bevnet.com)

Strategic packaging refresh elevated All the Bitter’s premium perception without sacrificing loyal customer recognition. (coppergatedesign.com)

Mid-strength beer is redefining moderation, giving drinkers more social moments without sacrificing craft or flavor. (foodandwine.com)

Peak alcohol demand slump leaves $22bn in unsold spirits, forcing producers to cut prices. (ft.com)

Caleño founder Ellie Webb shares lessons on building an authentic alcohol-free spirits brand in the UK. (drinks-intel.com)

2026 will define NA’s identity through functional drinks, terroir wines, transparency, and flexible moderation habits. (thezeroproof.com)

Non-alcoholic beverages have evolved from a trend into a scalable business strategy reshaping consumer habits. (entrepreneur.com)

Social media scrutiny is driving Gen Z to rethink drinking, fueling sobriety, moderation, and curated alcohol experiences. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Lawsuit challenges whether Vertosa’s delta-9 THC is truly hemp-derived, spotlighting compliance tensions in cannabinoid beverages. (bevnet.com)

IWSR says alcohol-adjacent functional drinks are rapidly growing with Gen Z and Millennials seeking mood, energy, and buzz benefits. (theiwsr.com)

Boisson rebounds by ditching stores, going DTC, and turning alcohol-free shopping into a guided, community-driven experience. (beveragedaily.com)

Drinks With Benefits Podcast: An in-depth legal discussion on hemp regulation and rights with U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s general counsel. (youtube.com)

Tomorrow Brands Podcast: Three Spirit founders discuss building a sexy, weird functional drinks brand that redefined non-alcoholic rituals. (spotify.com)

Scout Brisson shares how De Soi scaled to 8M sales using sampling, subscriptions, retail expansion, and authentic celebrity leverage. (youtube.com)

Health

WHO warns alcohol is too affordable and urges governments to raise taxes to curb health harms. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

America is going sober. (instagram.com)

Cutting back on alcohol is driven by brain chemistry, genetics, environment, and habit, not willpower alone. (nextbigideaclub.com)

Culture

Curated roundup of top non-alc newsletters, including Mock the Toast, covering industry news, culture, reviews, founders, and trends. (zeroproofnation.substack.com)

Cannabis brands are reframing Dry January as “High January,” positioning THC as a social alcohol alternative. (theatlantic.com)

Dry January sticker shock grows as mocktails and alcohol-free drinks increasingly cost as much as alcohol. (wsj.com)

Chef Andrew Zimmern says going alcohol-free transformed his health and urges Dry January participants to seek support. (eatingwell.com)

Top MICHELIN restaurants now offer sophisticated nonalcoholic pairings, elevating tasting menus as fewer diners drink alcohol. (guide.michelin.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Summer 2026’s stacked global events will reward low-friction brands that support big occasions without trying to own them. (bentannenbaum.substack.com)

California lawmakers propose closing a loophole allowing American-labeled wine to include up to 25 percent foreign juice. (sfchronicle.com)

Bartenders debate declining trade etiquette, citing pandemic isolation, ego-driven mixology, and calls to prioritize hospitality. (vinepair.com)

Hoosier Gameday Lager became a cultural icon by aligning fan-led design, community roots, and perfect sports timing. (beercrunchers.substack.com)