Industry

Sprouts is maturing into a price-sensitive, aspirational retailer, requiring brands to rethink launch sequencing and value strategy. (jenniferbarney.substack.com)

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping beverages toward functional, sustainable, visually engaging products discovered via social media and aligned with identity and values. (bevindustry.com)

Gen Z drinks with intention, valuing quality, flexibility, and experience, forcing hospitality to rethink outdated consumption models. (harpers.co.uk)

NIQ data shows Dry January stuck, driven by Gen Z and millennials, boosting nonalcoholic choices while keeping bar and restaurant visits strong. (bevnet.com)

Tomonotomo doubles down on local Oaxaca production, using vertical control to navigate trade volatility and scale authentically. (dryatlas.com)

Germany’s beer consumption fell sharply since 2011, while nonalcoholic beer surged, nearly doubling its share. (linkedin.com)

Ghia founder says alcohol brands should ignore panic moves, focus on clarity, quality, and core strengths to win long term. (youtube.com)

After failed licensing deals, Big Drop brought everything in-house, assembling a best-in-class team for a leaner, sharper relaunch. (linkedin.com)

Hotels are making non-alcoholic wellness bars permanent as travelers demand seamless, profitable wellness experiences while traveling. (sdbj.com)

Alcohol sales declined sharply in 2025, forcing brands to adapt through moderation-friendly formats, value, flavor, and relevance. (argosstrategy.com)

Real American Beer hit 10 million cans in 18 months, fueling growth through brand relaunch and premiumization. (bevindustry.com)

Carlsberg Hong Kong is expanding alcohol-free beers and Beyond Beer drinks as moderation demand grows across Asia. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Climbing Kites leans into nostalgic THC sodas and regulatory adaptation as it scales rapidly nationwide. (brewbound.com)

Bars can build year-round loyalty by treating non-alcoholic and low-ABV drinks as core, thoughtfully crafted menu offerings. (barandrestaurant.com)

Business of Drinks Podcast: Modern beverage retail is converging as alcohol, THC, and NA coexist, driven by education, dosing, and consumer choice. (youtube.com)

The Fingers Podcast: Inside the THC drinks industry’s fight for survival and legitimacy. (fingers.email)

Marketing Happy Hour Podcast: BERO’s SVP shares how disciplined planning, experiential marketing, and community credibility turn non-alc hype into durable growth. (podcasts.apple.com)

Park Street Insider Podcast: Examining why brand–bar partnerships fail and how aligned incentives create sustainable, trust-based growth. (parkstreet.com)

Health

Providing a single case of non-alcoholic drinks can temporarily reduce workplace alcohol consumption through simple substitution. (medicalxpress.com)

Hemp and marijuana are the same plant, but differing THC thresholds drive fragmented and shifting legal definitions. (npr.org)

Culture

Gen Z drinks less not from preference, but because fragmented cities, remote work, high housing costs, and weaker social infrastructure make traditional drinking culture harder to sustain. (linkedin.com)

AI can support sobriety tools, but real recovery for women depends on human connection, community, and shared experience. (amycwillis.substack.com)

Claims of cannabis being healthier than alcohol oversimplify vice, ignoring personal context, pleasure, and moderation. (slate.com)

Gen Z is ditching trendy nightlife for affordable dive bars that offer connection, familiarity, and low-pressure socializing. (foxnews.com)

Austin’s growing sobriety movement is fueling alcohol-free communities like The Unbuzzed Club focused on wellness and connection. (kxan.com)

Lower drink-drive limits will work best if alcohol-free options are normalized, visible, and valued across hospitality culture. (thecaterer.com)

Once a beer-first city, Pittsburgh is redefining nightlife with sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks and alcohol-free social spaces. (post-gazette.com)

The decline of commuter bar cars reflects America’s shift from shared public rituals toward isolated, efficiency-first commuting. (vinepair.com)

As non-alcoholic drinks mature, the industry is debating whether “mocktail” still fits a more serious, adult category. (wetzeus.substack.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Despite weak consumer confidence, U.S. spirits are retaining alcohol share as value tiers grow and volumes hold. (drinks-intel.com)

A Barron Trump–linked yerba mate startup has launched with $1 million in seed capital. (newsweek.com)

Québec cautiously reintroduces select U.S. alcohol, balancing trade tensions with charity funding and inventory realities. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

RNDC’s supplier losses are forcing a structural reset and putting fresh consolidation pressure on U.S. alcohol distribution. (bevnet.com)