Industry

Spindrift, White Claw, and Miller are rebranding—not reformulating—to reposition in the moderation movement and unlock new drinking occasions. (beercrunchers.substack.com)

Saicho secures £1.5M to expand globally with its alc-free sparkling tea served in Michelin restaurants. (insidermedia.com)

Alcohol-free drinking is now mainstream in the UK, driven by younger adults seeking moderation, health benefits, and social inclusion, with 48% drinking alcohol-free options. (joinclubsoda.com)

As alcohol consumption declines year-round, Big Booze struggles to grow, with hopes pinned on non-alc and emerging markets. (ft.com)

As no/low alcohol drinks grow, brands must avoid wine-related names to stay out of legal trouble. (foodbev.com)

Mid-strength wines may succeed where no-alcohol wines failed by better balancing taste, identity, and social appeal. (scienceblog.com)

Texas may ban hemp beverages, threatening a fast-growing alcohol alternative embraced by consumers, retailers, and small businesses. (beveragedaily.com)

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s push to ban THC in Texas faces scrutiny over large campaign donations from alcohol interests. (austincountynewsonline.com)

Hemp THC drinks grew to 24.8% usage in Q1 2025, driven by younger, affluent consumers and alcohol-channel availability. (brightfieldgroup.com)

Liquid Death is raising new funding to scale production, signaling continued demand and investor interest in the edgy water brand. (theinformation.com)

Female founders and execs share strategies for scaling NA spirits by blending innovation, wellness trends, and retail partnerships. (bevnet.com)

Italy has finally approved domestic production of de-alcoholized wines, unlocking growth for producers like Zonin. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Revolution Brewing enters THC space with Reverb, a fruit-forward, pasteurized beverage line signaling serious craft beer investment in hemp drinks and long-term category credibility. (beercrunchers.substack.com)

Business of Drinks Podcast: Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip and now Pollen Projects, is creating entirely new non-alc categories through botanical innovation. (spotify.com)

Business of Drinks Podcast: Debating why alcohol sales are slumping: blaming health trends, Gen Z habits, THC drinks, and distribution woes. (spotify.com)

Health

Even moderate alcohol use slows injury recovery by impairing immunity, muscle repair, hormone balance, and coordination, so abstinence speeds healing. (alcohol-review.com)

U.S. guidelines to drop drink-per-day limits, shifting to broader moderation language. (reuters.com)

Culture

Italy’s aperitivo culture now embraces non-alc options, with bars nationwide offering flavorful, tradition-rooted drinks for sober patrons. (nationalgeographic.com)

A former beer taster sued Ambev claiming job-related drinking led to alcoholism, but Brazil’s top court rejected the case. (thesun.co.uk)

Alcohol-Free Radio: Exploring how alcohol-free living and clarity unlock financial freedom, passive income, and self-sovereignty. (youtube.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Gen Z’s viral “fridge cigarette” trend rebrands Diet Coke as a nostalgic, mood-boosting ritual akin to a smoke break. (fastcompany.com)

Beverage brands push “fourth category” drinks—flavored alcohols—to attract younger drinkers beyond beer, wine, and spirits. (foxbusiness.com)

Elavi co-founder Michelle Razavi shares how smart sampling, design, and Costco roadshows led to a $1M retail deal. (tasteradio.com)

Emerging drinks like Girl Beer and Mom Water tap identity-driven branding to stand out and connect with modern consumers. (bonappetit.com)