Mixed Things

Industry

Sales of non-alc spirits are growing at a rate five times faster than traditional alcoholic spirits, driven by health-conscious Gen Z consumers who seek a "two-drink feeling" without the negative effects of alcohol, with this market poised to grow around 30% annually in the coming years. (bloomberg.com)

The American liquor industry faces its worst year since 1991.(wine-searcher.com)

The no/low alcohol beverage category is expected to grow at a 6% volume CAGR between 2023 and 2027, with non-alc products, mainly beer and cider, driving most of the growth; consumers may switch between no and low alcohol, and market dynamics vary across countries and age groups, with taste preference and availability remaining key challenges for further expansion. (beveragedaily.com)

Hendrick's Gin promotes Dry January with "Hendrick's GYM," offering mixology-themed exercises and sporty merchandise to prepare for a year of responsible cocktail enjoyment. (ginraiders.com)

A roundup of various Dry January campaigns from brands such as Blue Moon and Christina Aguilera's Playground. (thedrum.com)

Rising prices of non-alc drinks stem from expensive ingredients, intricate production processes, technology, and shorter shelf lives due to the absence of alcohol, impacting retail costs. (thegrocer.co.uk)

Club Soda, the UK's mindful drinking movement, appoints Josh Kelly as head buyer and brand relationship manager, and Nicolas Medicamento as shop manager, bringing expertise in the Low and No movement and the hospitality industry, respectively. (beveragedaily.com)

Lucky Saint, the UK's leading alc-free beer brand, sees its sales driven by moderation rather than sobriety, as it expands its presence in pubs and taps into healthier diet trends. (ft.com)

Lyre's partners with DFS Group to debut its non-alc drinks brand at three major US airports. (dfnionline.com)

Contrarian take on Dry January from the author of the Wine Bible; calls it self-righteous and puritanical; healthy commentary ensues. (linkedin.com)

Molson Coors CEO expresses confidence in the company's future, citing strong performance in 2023, including growth in non-alc beer like Peroni 0.0 and Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic, with plans for continued expansion and gaining shelf space in 2024. (molsoncoorsblog.com)

Boisson, the leading US non-alc beverage platform, is expanding its national wholesale distribution by partnering with KeHe and LibDib. (finance.yahoo.com)

Lucky Saint's 'Thou Shalt Go to the Pub' campaign for January 2024. (morningadvertiser.co.uk)

Drinks Intel interviews the founders of the World Alcohol-Free Awards. (drinks-intel.com)

Asahi Europe & International (AEI) acquires Octopi Brewing in Wisconsin, marking a significant move to produce Asahi Super Dry in the U.S., expand sales in North America, and support sustainability goals. (goodbeerhunting.com)

Q&A with Denmark's ISH Founder and plans to grow the brand in the U.S. (beveragedaily.com)

Podcast: Discussing who actually drinks non-alc products----alcohol drinkers doing intermittent sips of non-alc drinks brands. (vinepair.com)

Launches + Collabs + More

Prima Pavé now available at Williams-Sonoma.

De Soi & HOP WTR both now available at all Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide. (linkedin.com | linkedin.com) 

Miller Lite releases non-alcoholic Beer Mints. (cnbc.com)

Athletic Brewing partners with Virgin Active gyms in the UK, bringing Run Wild IPA to selected gyms for post-workout enjoyment. (linkedin.com)

Scout & Cellar enters non-alc market with the launch of Epic Pursuit Alcohol-Removed Red Blend Wine. (prnewswire.com)

OLIPOP, a functional soda brand, is offering "Mocktails in Minutes" every weekend in January via Instacart to support Dry January, providing non-alc beverages with low sugar and high fiber content. (vice.com)

Actor Michael B. Jordan backing a new sea moss beverage startup, MOSS. (bevnet.com)

Health

Pew Research Center shares '10 Facts About Americans and Alcohol.' (pewresearch.org)

Researchers are investigating whether weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, containing semaglutide, can reduce alcohol cravings for individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), based on promising small-scale studies. (diabetes.co.uk)

U.S. diet panel adds another researcher with alcohol industry ties. (nytimes.com)

Culture

Internet personality, Jilly Hendrix, discussing her low-ABV vodka, BODY. (elle.com)

Davide Segat, a bar manager at NoMad London, reflects on his journey of maintaining sobriety as a bartender and the challenges he faced in his profession. (independent.co.uk)

Non-alcoholic beer has evolved significantly from its "Near Beer" origins during Prohibition, with modern options offering better flavors and appealing to a growing market, especially among Gen Z, with top brands including Heineken 0.0 and various craft brewery offerings.(alcoholprofessor.com)

A sober guide to Boston. (thrillist.com)

Non-alcoholic white claw is a dumb idea. As an alcoholic, I welcome it. (washingtonpost.com)

Non-Non-Alc Splashes

The trend of celebrities launching ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. (alcoholprofessor.com)

Explore the unconventional marketing and strategy approach of Andrew Benin, the founder of Graz, an olive oil brand. (adage.com)

^{Data Shot} 🥃

^{_{Looking for a role in non-alc?}}

^Subscribe

^{Come across a great cocktail recipe online? Mock It!}

^{Find alternatives to cocktail recipe ingredients with easy substitutions or non-alcoholic brands with the free Mock It Chrome extension.}

^{Install Mock It}