Industry

With alcohol sales down, non-alc drinks are becoming a profitable, guest-friendly staple on modern restaurant menus. (foodandwine.com)

Alcohol faces its “big tobacco” moment as consumption drops, health concerns rise, and non-alc investment surges. (ft.com)

Hemp beverages are booming in Minnesota, revealing a $50B market most investors are ignoring. (mindsetvalue.substack.com)

Non-alc drinks set for 7% growth as taste, branding, and availability drive rising demand. (beveragedaily.com)

Five million wine drinkers lost since 2021, but millennials drive growth in premium and innovative wine. (vinetur.com)

Half of UK drinkers prefer two mid-strength drinks over one full-strength. (theguardian.com)

The future of non-alc drinks lies in functionality—replicating relaxation, social ease, and buzz without intoxication. (beveragedaily.com)

Non-alc wine sales doubled since 2020, hitting 1.6M cases in 2024. (shankennewsdaily.com)

Gen Z loves brand swag—stickers, totes, and merch drive loyalty and fandom for brands like Cheez-It and Cann. (adage.com)

Non-alc drinks should be shelved by alcohol to boost awareness and match shopper price expectations. (linkedin.com)

Miue’s bold, playful branding redefines non-alc wine as the lively afterparty—not the replacement. (instagram.com)

Building alc-free wine in Europe requires tailored strategies—Portugal and Spain demand distinct approaches and local expertise. (linkedin.com)

No and low-alc wines fueled rare wine category growth in 2024. (winebusiness.com)

Hiyo’s 213% growth and Constellation’s investment signal the rise of functional, feel-good non-alc beverages. (forbes.com)

On-premise alcohol sales are down in volume, but RTDs, imports, and non-alc drinks drive innovation and balance. (bevindustry.com)

As regulations tighten and wellness rises in Asia, Kirin plans a major push into no/low beverages. (foodnavigator-asia.com)

With non-alc beer sales up 89%, Molson Coors doubles down on innovation and inclusive drink offerings. (canadianbusiness.com)

On-premise visits shift toward daytime, experience-driven drinking, opening opportunities for low-ABV beers and creative NA menus. (craftbrewingbusiness.com)

Washington brewers are merging CBD and craft beer, creating relaxing, alc-free options. (washingtonbeerblog.com)

Built during the pandemic, Figlia blends personal purpose with a broader mission to reframe how we gather and unwind. (adage.com)

Retailers and producers face chaos as cannabis drink laws differ wildly across states and lack federal oversight. (sevenfifty.com)

Portman Group welcomes Lucky Saint as first alc-free member, expanding industry dialogue around responsible marketing. (thecaterer.com)

Soberchella 3.0 returns with immersive booze-free experiences at Coachella and Stagecoach, led by The New Bar. (adweek.com)

Presented by oHHo

oHHo is a botanical wellness brand crafting sparkling cannabis-infused seltzers for those who care about what they sip—and how it makes them feel. Rooted in transparency, sustainability, and ethical sourcing, oHHo partners with small-scale farmers and expert biochemists to create pure, plant-powered beverages.

Each can features hemp-derived THC balanced with CBD and CBG—formulated for a smooth, uplifting buzz without the hangover. CBD softens THC’s edge, while CBG keeps the experience clear, not sleepy. With just 20 calories per serving, flavors like Cherry + Lime and Pink Grapefruit + Elderflower are both functional and refreshing.

Backed by clean ingredients, cutting-edge extraction, and sustainable packaging, oHHo stands apart in both product and purpose.

For retailers and independent bottle shops, oHHo offers more than a drink—it’s a shelf-ready signal of quality, innovation, and conscious consumption.

(Bring the Buzz to Your Shelves)

Podcasts

Alcohol-Free Radio: Inside the Beverage Biz: Taylor Foxman on Building Brands & Shaping Culture. (spotify.com)

Firebelly Social Show Podcast: Ian Blessing & Laura Silverman's Special Collaboration: Cherry Coffee Blast. (firebellymarketing.com)

The Business Reboot Podcast: Creating a Product That Has Never Existed Before with Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi. (spotify.com)

The Feed Podcast: Creating new social tonics with Taylor Sewell of Hippie Water. (podcasts.apple.com)

From Funding to Fame Podcast: Poxies: All the Complexity of Wine, None of the Alcohol with Charlie Friedmann, Co-Founder & President. (spotify.com)

Free Spirits Podcast: Cann Founder Jake Bullock: Pioneering Microdose THC Beverages. (spotify.com)

Health

Even small amounts of alcohol can increase cancer risk, according to an oncologist’s review. (washingtonpost.com)

Older adults who exercise more also drink more, suggesting health behaviors don’t always align. (cambridge.org)

Culture

“Wine mom” culture masks stress and isolation, but true community doesn’t require alcohol. (theglobeandmail.com)

The 5 most sober-friendly cities in America. (qz.com)

Designing social spaces for the non-alc movement. (bergmeyer.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Texas may soon allow spirits-based RTDs in mainstream retail, reshaping access, taxes, and the entire category’s competitive landscape. (linkedin.com)

D.C. drinks the most wine per capita; California leads in total volume, with Texas third despite low per-person intake. (vinepair.com)

Thailand moves to lift afternoon alcohol sales ban and ease ad restrictions, aiming to boost tourism and small producers. (just-drinks.com)

General Mills shuts G-Works and pauses 301 Inc. investments. (fooddive.com)

On the evolution of the beer bat. (beercrunchers.substack.com)

Data Shot 🥃