Mixed Things

Industry

The pandemic spurred a shift towards sober curiosity, leading premium mixer brands to innovate & partner with zero-proof spirits, catering to a growing demand for high-quality, non-alc cocktails.(bevnet.com)

Driven by Gen Z, the non-alc beer market, featuring brands like Heineken 0.0 and Lucky Saint, is booming, with global value at $22 billion and expected growth of 5.5% over the next decade. (fortune.com)

Since 1995, Campari Group has been a leader in non-alcoholic spirits with brands like Crodino--- their group head of marketing predicts market consolidation and emphasizes quality and sensory experience as key drivers for the future. (just-drinks.com)

In response to younger generations prioritizing mental health and reducing alcohol intake, the wellness drink market, including CBD and mocktail brands like Cloud Water and Little Saints, is booming. (thedrum.com)

Gen Z's financial constraints and declining alcohol interest are shutting down U.K. nightclubs, impacting the nightlife industry and job market. (fortune.com)

The Future Laboratory predicts low-alc drinkers will prefer premium, collectible cocktails, driven by quality, exclusivity, and sustainability, alongside a rise in no/low options and tech integration. (luxurydaily.com)

Dry January significantly impacts French alcohol sales, with a 6.4% drop in January 2024 compared to 2023, and a 13% decrease since 2018, while non-alc beverage sales surged by 48%. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Emergent Beverages, LLC partners with Total Wine & More to distribute 9 hemp-infused beverage brands across Texas and Louisiana, including Calexo. (cannabistech.com)

Betty Buzz is now available in over 300 Sobeys' stores across Canada. (linkedin.com)

In Japan, the world's second-largest non-alc beer market, local giants dominate, but health trends and brewing heritage offer foreign brands opportunities, especially in functional beverages. (just-drinks.com)

The US, Australia, and Germany are projected to lead the growth in non-alc spirits with double-digit increases from 2023 to 2027. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Big Grove Brewery has acquired a majority stake in Climbing Kites, an Iowa-based maker of Delta 9 THC- and CBD-infused, non-alc sparkling water. (brewbound.com)

India's drinking culture is evolving, with a notable shift towards non-alc options, evidenced by Pandan Club's win for Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Menu. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Non-alc beer consumers seek fun and flavor, with sales rising as offerings become more mainstream, appealing to a diverse audience including those who mix with alcoholic drinks. (foodnavigator.com)

Gen Z's preference for "dry tripping" is transforming travel, with over 54% of American young adults avoiding alcohol, prompting brands like Delta, JetBlue, and Hilton to expand non-alc offerings for a health-conscious experience. (bbc.com)

Backyard Tea Makers, which makes THC-infused teas, inks new distribution partnership with Momentum Beverage Team. (bevnet.com)

Erie entrepreneur Rebecca Styn overcame pandemic challenges by innovating with Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails, exemplifying resilience in her evolving business ventures. (goerie.com)

Ted Fleming of Partake Brewing leads by leveraging constraints, fostering resilience, and maintaining an even-keeled demeanor, proving skeptics wrong by becoming Canada's top non-alc beer brand. (csuitecontent.com)

Podcast: Interview with the founders of Parch, which makes non-alc agave-based cocktails. (spotify.com)

Podcast: Andy, with 15 years in strategy and marketing across various industries, co-founded Heaps Normal to revolutionize Australian drinking culture with a non-alc beer brand. (addtocart.com.au)

Launches + Collabs + More

Pernod Ricard's Suze to launch Suze Tonic Zero. (linkedin.com)

Libra Non-Alc Saison dropping March 1.

Heineken 0.0's partnership with ITV and Co-op brings Coronation Street's cobbled design to 1,800 stores for alcohol-free beer promotion. (kamcity.com)

Corona Ligera, a new low-ABV beer by Budweiser Brewing Group, targets younger adults seeking moderation, launching exclusively at Booker for Tesco Group. (betterretailing.com)

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Health

The "sleepy girl mocktail," popular on TikTok for promoting sleep, primarily benefits from magnesium, an essential mineral known for muscle relaxation and calming the brain, though its effectiveness may vary individually. (scientificamerican.com)

Researchers discovered a unique brain activation pattern in individuals with both bipolar disorder and alcohol-use disorder, suggesting new treatment targets for this co-occurring condition.(bbrfoundation.org)

Japan's health ministry issued its first guidelines on alcohol consumption to highlight health risks, recommending moderation and specifying amounts that elevate disease risks, while advocating for mindful drinking practices. (japantimes.co.jp)

Red wine's reputation as beneficial for heart health, sparked by a 1991 "60 Minutes" segment, has diminished over decades despite initial studies linking it to reduced heart attack risks. (nytimes.com)

Culture

The Omakase Room's Welcome Cocktail challenges the notion of "mocktails" as lesser, offering a nuanced, non-alc experience rivaling traditional cocktails. (salon.com)

Cosmopolitan delves into the complex feelings about drinking after embracing sobriety. (cosmopolitan.com)

Red wine's reputation as beneficial for heart health, sparked by a 1991 "60 Minutes" segment, has diminished over decades despite initial studies linking it to reduced heart attack risks. (nytimes.com)

Amid Zanzibar's alcohol shortage, discussions emerge on holiday drinking habits and the evolving attitudes towards alcohol among various generations and cultures. (telegraph.co.uk)

Is the sober movement disrupting Charlotte nightlife? (charlottemagazine.com)

Thieves broke into New Zealand's only non-alc liquor store expecting valuable spirits, only to steal non-alc drinks and flee, leaving most behind upon realizing their mistake. (ginraiders.com)

"Third places" lack non-alc late-night options, but the rise of non-alc bars shows promise for inclusive social spaces. (dryatlas.com)

Non-Non-Alc Splashes

How London's first Black pub landlords transformed the city's drinking culture.(goodbeerhunting.com)

Beam Suntory reports a 7% rise in full-year sales, highlighting growth across its portfolio. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Molson Coors faces a brewery workers' strike in Texas. (fooddive.com)

Cole Pearsall of Acid League emphasizes innovation in acidity to inspire kitchen creativity, reimagining pantry staples with a focus on flavorful, fermented products for health and culinary diversity. (martie.com)

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Event Sponsorship Opportunity

The Proof Is In The Party!

Join the No/Low Tour's second season as a sponsor to support Another Round Another Rally, a nonprofit uplifting the hospitality industry. Sponsor the tour, celebrating non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages, to contribute to the resilience and growth of the hospitality community. Partner with Focus On Health and Mover & Shake for a brighter future for those who serve with passion. Cheers to making a lasting impact! (Get Involved)

Non-Alc Opportunities

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