Industry

Gen Z drinks less due to delayed adulthood, surveillance, and demographic shifts—not health concerns—and while consumption will rise, it will remain below past generational norms. (rabobank.com)

Brēz tops THC beverage charts with $28M in 2024 sales, driven by national retail expansion and demand for alcohol alternatives. (forbes.com)

A look into the branding behind WYNK's 10mg THC lemonade flavors. (zimmer-design.com)

Brands may be overlooking mid-tier bartenders, missing key trade-up opportunities for premium product growth. (drinks-intel.com)

Premier League and Six Nations deals elevate Guinness 0.0’s profile with non-drinkers. (marketingweek.com)

Health-conscious young consumers and new government guidelines are fueling Japan’s growing shift toward no/low-alcohol drinks over traditional options. (drinks-intel.com)

Researchers identified yeast strains that improve non-alc beer’s flavor, speed, and style-specific fermentation. (magnoliareporter.com)

Alcohol consumption may have quietly entered permanent decline, marking a cultural shift away from millennia-old habits. (bloomberg.com)

Guinness cracked the NA code with a stout that doesn’t compromise on flavor, body, or the iconic Guinness experience. (allaboutbeer.com)

More hemp-derived THC drink buyers are opting for 10mg+ doses, driven by a growing “bang for your buck” mindset. (linkedin.com)

As THC sodas flood shelves, Plift sets itself apart with taste, mission, and wide retail reach. (bottleraiders.com)

Heineken’s focus is normalizing non-alcoholic draught beer as part of the full pub experience. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

The English Wine Diaries Podcast: Gary Read, CEO of BOLLE, discusses revolutionizing non-alc wine with fermentation, earning global praise and awards for quality and innovation. (podcasts.apple.com)

Health

Even low or moderate alcohol intake raises cancer risk in older adults, UK study shows. (medscape.com)

Alcohol impairs recognition of anger but boosts perceived emotional connection in social settings. (nature.com)

Culture

Joe Rogan quits alcohol, citing health concerns and saying he now has just as much fun sober. (dailymail.co.uk)

Bartenders back low-proof booze for balance—“all the buzz, none of the blur.” (fastcompany.com)

THC drinks offer a lighter, lung-free high—and Gen Z is choosing them over booze for wellness and cost. (usatoday.com)

At festivals like Coachella, Gen Z favors functional beverages—like mushrooms and THC—over alcohol for health and clarity. (newsweek.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Semaglutide drugs are forcing alcohol brands to pivot from volume to experience, flavor, and health-forward formats. (linkedin.com)

Private-label beers from Aldi to Costco now rival name brands in both quality and value. (wsj.com)

Data Shot 🥃