Industry

Non-alc brands must avoid imitating alcohol trademarks since weak differentiation can trigger legal disputes and erode long-term brand equity, as the category hits $9B. (millernash.com)

Bar Nuda, LA’s pioneering Mexican-inspired non-alc bar, shifts from pop-up experiences to launching packaged products. (bevnet.com)

Czech brewers use noble hops, decoction mashing, and creative malts to craft low-alcohol lagers with surprising bitterness, body, and complexity. (vinepair.com)

TÖST raises $1M bridge funding to expand DSD distribution and launch a canned RTD line targeting bars and restaurants. (bevnet.com)

Pubs that embrace low/no alcohol offerings are thriving, as nearly half of consumers now choose moderated drinking, making variety and strategy essential for success. (morningadvertiser.co.uk)

Founders Brewing invests $3M to launch non-alc beer, expand RTD cocktails, and modernize production to diversify beyond declining craft beer. (crainsgrandrapids.com)

Liquid Death shifts focus from paid social to connected TV, leveraging bold creative, retail data, and AI search opportunities for growth. (emarketer.com)

Cantrip appoints former Lyre’s marketer Jennifer Contraveos as VP of Marketing. (linkedin.com)

RationAle appoints industry veteran David Macon as VP of Sales, leveraging his track record with New Belgium and Firestone Walker. (linkedin.com)

Former Distill Ventures MD Gareth Bath joins Chance Clean Cider as advisor. (thegrocer.co.uk)

High-end bars are elevating zero-proof from token choices to curated programs, integrating non-alc offerings into menus, training, and guest experiences. (bevnet.com)

Economic slowdowns shift non-alc demand toward at-home rituals, DTC channels, and premium “small splurge” beverages positioned as wellness-driven indulgences. (dryatlas.com)

Molson Coors expands beyond beer into non-alcoholic cocktails, mixers, and energy drinks to offset declining beer consumption and reach new occasions. (fooddive.com)

Moderation reshapes apéritifs as both challenge and opportunity, with lower-ABV spirits and zero-proof options aligning with evolving drinking rituals. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Sobar Secure launches accreditation for venues, tackling liability and elevating non-alc programs as the hospitality industry embraces inclusive service. (linkedin.com)

JAS Drinks secures $40K GO TEXAN grant to fuel Whole Foods launch and showcase bold, Texas-made flavors. (linkedin.com)

NON founder Aaron Trotman earns global acclaim as his chef-crafted zero-alcohol wine alternatives gain awards and Michelin-starred restaurant placements. (onyamagazine.com)

Crescent 9 THC Seltzer tops NielsenIQ charts as America’s #1 THC beverage, securing 7,000 retail accounts across 21 states. (bevinfogroup.com)

THC beverages represent a $9.9B–$14.9B market, with $1.3B U.S. sales, 500–750 brands, and growth shaped by evolving state policies. (whitneyeconomics.com)

Delta emerges as a top U.S. THC beverage, ranking #1 in convenience stores and #2 across FMCG retailers nationwide. (linkedin.com)

The CPG Guys Podcast: HOPWTR CEO Jordan Bass shares how functional positioning, retail expansion, and authentic branding drive the brand’s rapid growth in the moderation movement. (podcasts.apple.com)

Health

Research shows alcohol is a proven carcinogen while THC carries mental health risks, but low-dose cannabis offers therapeutic promise and no lethal dose. (foodandwine.com)

Alcohol lowers testosterone by disrupting hormone production, increasing estrogen, and contributing to fat gain and long-term hormonal imbalance. (x.com)

Culture

Non-alcoholic beer laws vary: some states allow under-21 purchases, others ban or leave policies ambiguous, reflecting regulatory inconsistencies. (tastingtable.com)

Seattle ranks No. 5 for sober travel. (axios.com)

Gen Z is shaking beer traditions by adding ice to pints, sparking debate between refreshment, dilution, and personalization. (foxnews.com)

Reflecting on how the author’s sobriety reshaped adulthood, trading nightlife nostalgia for clarity, purpose, and lasting energy. (moneywithkatie.com)

Texas bars are adapting to a 5–6% drop in alcohol sales by adding mocktails and THC drinks. (spectrumlocalnews.com)

Seth Rogen’s Houseplant THC drinks, once widely available, now face legal risks that could pull them from store shelves. (abcnews.go.com)

Strava reports run clubs hit record highs, with Gen Z driving growth for social connection, culture, and performance. (insider.fitt.co)

Non-Non-Alc

“N of 1” consumer companies succeed through unique products, cult followings, standout distribution, or pricing power. (headline.com)

Pernod Ricard warns volatility may be the “new normal” in global beverage alcohol, creating both risks and opportunities. (just-drinks.com)

Boston Beer embraces fast-fail strategy, hunting for a $250M fourth-category brand despite past misses. (brewbound.com)

Gen Z legal drinking age drinkers increasingly engage with alcohol, seeking community-driven occasions, flexible strength options, and playful discovery through new flavors and formats. (theiwsr.com)