Industry

YOURS Non-Alcoholic Wine has been acquired by Lead the Way Ventures, a private equity firm. (linkedin.com)

LA's first non-alc bar, STAY, is closing after eight months, despite the rise in NA beverages, reflecting challenges in drawing customers. (forbes.com)

CGA by NIQ’s July 2024 Hotels Beverage Study highlights that 1 in 4 hotel guests, known as "dry trippers," plan to exclusively consume non-alc beverages, offering a growth opportunity for drinks brands. (cgastrategy.com)

Economic challenges are reshaping the beverage alcohol industry, with consumers opting for value-driven, at-home drinking and non-alc options, impacting On- and Off-Premise channels and supplier-wholesaler dynamics. (craftedadvisors.com)

Low-ABV brands aim to prove they’re more than “diet wine.” (bevnet.com)

Functional beverages, offering health benefits like stress relief and enhanced digestion, are growing rapidly, but consumers are advised to read labels and avoid over-consumption. (milwaukeeindependent.com)

The Club Soda Low, Light & Alcohol-Free Summit highlighted the need for industry collaboration, clearer regulations, and normalizing alc-free options to drive category growth. (drinksretailingnews.co.uk)

New Gallup polling suggests Americans are drinking less, but it misses the nuanced story: diverse consumers, particularly women and BIPOC, are reshaping the alcohol industry. (linkedin.com)

Craft spirits sales in the U.S. dropped for the first time since 2016, with market share shrinking as economic challenges and competition from larger producers impact small distilleries. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Sonja Mitchell founded Scotland’s first non-alc brewery, Jump Ship Brewing, in 2019, targeting £300,000 this year and aiming to triple sales in coming years. (heraldscotland.com)

Seedlip and Pollen Projects founder Ben Branson emphasized the importance of high-quality non-alc beverages to meet growing demand and avoid being seen as inferior to alcoholic options. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Big Drop founder Rob Fink emphasizes the challenge of convincing pubs to introduce non-alc beer on draught, despite studies showing it is risk-neutral for venue revenue and can attract new customers. (morningadvertiser.co.uk)

Americans, especially Gen Z, are drinking less beer due to health trends and alternative preferences like cannabis, non-alc drinks, and spirits, causing breweries to struggle. (fortune.com)

Lucky Saint to debut larger 500ml bottle in Sainsbury's. (thegrocer.co.uk)

Caleño Drinks' MOJITO is debuting on shelves at Total Wine & More stores across the USA. (linkedin.com)

Brand Moves

Giesen unveils 0% Chardonnay as newest addition to award-winning non-alc range. (prweb.com)

BRĒZ launching a new blend, Flow, with black seed oil later this month. (x.com)

Upland Brewing releases HopRX, a non-alc hop water with lime and Vitamin C. (wthr.com)

JuneShine adds non-alc kombucha to portfolio. (brewbound.com)

Heineken 0.0 is launching its safe-driving gaming competition "Player 0.0" in the U.S., featuring F1 champion Max Verstappen, promoting their "When You Drive, Never Drink" campaign. (marketingdive.com | youtube.com)

Kit NA Brewing launches the "Under Your Own Influence Sober October" campaign, promoting mindful breaks from alcohol with non-alc craft beers. (finance.yahoo.com)

Kirin launches Hanayoi, a new low-alc chu-hi line, as strong chu-hi demand declines. (japantoday.com)

Bolle launches new alc free wines, a sparkling rosé and a blanc de blancs. (harpers.co.uk)

El Cero enters the ring as official non-alc cocktails for Anthem's Invicta FC. (nexttv.com)

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Health

New research debunks the Blue Zones theory of wine aiding longevity, citing poor record-keeping and fraud in centenarian data. (meiningers-international.com)

Scientists and activists argue the U.S. should lower the legal blood alcohol limit for driving from .08 to .05. (nationalgeographic.com)

New Brew’s kratom-based "euphoric seltzer" is causing controversy due to the herb’s legal status and health risks. (nbcchicago.com)

A new report links alcohol use to increased cancer rates, especially among younger adults under 50. (nytimes.com)

Researchers used Porous Liquids to reduce alcohol in wine and gin without compromising flavor, offering potential for low-alcohol beverages that maintain taste and quality. (sciencedaily.com)

Culture

Exploring non-alc drink options for runners. (outsideonline.com)

Club Pillar is a vetted dating app for sober individuals, promoting authentic connections through sober-focused profiles and events. (forbes.com)

Office of Overview created "Creative Juice," a low-alcohol beer to inspire creativity during work hours, packaged simply to spark ideas.(itsnicethat.com)

Non-Non-Alc

Why orange juice has never been more expensive. (economist.com)

Shipping and delivery of alcohol differ in who can perform them, product types, and compliance requirements. (winebusiness.com)

The trends defining the $1.8 trillion global wellness market in 2024. (mckinsey.com)

Scotch sales dropped sharply in 2024, with single malts hit hardest. (newwinereview.com)

Data Shot 🥃

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