Industry

The Pathfinder raises $3.6M from Stoli to expand its distribution nationwide. (bevnet.com | Non-Alc Activity Tracker)

Non-alc beer brands find a marketing edge in nostalgic soccer sponsorships, boosting cultural relevance and global streetwear appeal. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Global hop oversupply continues as demand declines and growers cut acreage; new variety Vera offers hope with flavor and resilience. (craftbrewingbusiness.com)

THC brands market socially to women, but many women in Gen X seek relief from hormonal changes, sleep issues, and anxiety. (linkedin.com)

In Q1 2025, 14% of surveyed U.S. adults used hemp-derived THC drinks, often replacing alcohol for relaxation and fewer side effects. (brightfieldgroup.com)

To grow relevance and revenue, craft beer brands must broaden content beyond beer, tapping into larger audiences through humor, local culture, and lifestyle-driven storytelling. (beercrunchers.substack.com)

Do non-alcoholic spirits really imitate the real thing? (thetakeout.com)

No-alcohol beer is surging in the US, offsetting beer’s decline with sustained double-digit growth. (drinks-intel.com)

UK’s no/low beer sales up 35% in two years; raising ABV cap could fuel further category growth. (beertoday.co.uk)

Hike Hopped Seltzer taps hop innovation to differentiate in the growing non-alc beverage and retail set. (forbes.com)

No/low alcohol aperitifs are booming as health-conscious consumers seek flavorful, natural, and lighter drinking options. (drinks-intel.com)

Top Ten Liquors and Delta Emerald Ventures partner to merge consumer insights with data analytics, aiming to grow cannabinoid retail to 20% of sales. (linkedin.com)

Most beverage brands fail by over-prioritizing distribution, mispricing without clear positioning, and underestimating regulations. (linkedin.com)

CODO helps launch Comma, a THC-infused NA beer positioned around mindful pauses and positioning it as as a lifestyle shift. (cododesign.com | Podcast)

RationAle Brewing scaled to 100K cases in 4 years by focusing on quality, velocity, sampling, and grassroots retail growth without VC backing. (youtube.com)

Health

Heavy alcohol use declined slightly in 2024, while nicotine vaping rose and illicit drug use remained high. (medpagetoday.com)

Google searches for alcohol spiked during COVID lockdowns and preceded outpatient visits by 2–6 weeks. (nature.com)

Culture

Gen Z’s low alcohol intake drives demand for mocktails, sodas, and slushies at major chains. (businessinsider.com)

Alcohol consumption is declining across all age groups in Western Europe, not just among Gen Z. (dailymail.co.uk)

More couples are hosting alcohol-free weddings, opting for mocktails and coffee despite some guest backlash. (wsj.com)

Cincinnati bars are responding to Gen Z’s drinking decline by expanding mocktail menus and rethinking social experiences.(bizjournals.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Women’s sports bars are booming, creating inclusive spaces as demand for women’s sports surges nationwide. (insidehook.com)

European winemakers are reviving ancient clay amphora methods and native grapes to meet climate and market shifts. (wsj.com)

UK hospitality leaders reject the government’s “hospitality zones” plan as superficial, urging real tax and business rate reforms. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

High Noon recalled mislabeled vodka seltzer cans packaged as Celsius energy drinks, risking unintended alcohol consumption. (cbsnews.com)