Mixed Things

Industry

Non-Alc Activity Tracker. (mockthetoast.com) 

Stout's popularity reaches an all-time high, driven by a surge in female interest and the launch of alc-free options like Guinness 0.0, along with its health benefits. (foxnews.com)

UK's Pollen Projects has secured its first equity financing, paving the way for launching two new non-alc brands, with plans for a second brand launch by the end of 2024. (just-drinks.com)

Club Soda's founder advocates for UK to redefine "alcohol-free" label to include drinks with up to 0.5% ABV, aiming to align with international standards and foster the non-alcoholic sector's growth. (just-drinks.com) 

Best Day Brewing, a Bay Area non-alc beer company, raised $10 million, tripling its total funding to over $15 million to expand and enhance its craft brew alternatives.. (bizjournals.com)

Liquid Death raised $67 million at a $1.4 billion valuation to expand distribution and innovate, marking its third year of triple-digit growth with $263 million in 2023 retail sales. (bloomberg.com)

RationAle Brewing introduces a new standard in non-alc craft beer with key distribution deals, a Target launch, and innovative brewing technologies. (marketwatch.com)

Breweries are innovating with Dank IPAs and cannabis-inspired flavors, responding to growing consumer interest in the overlap between craft beer and cannabis, and embracing the complex, rich profiles that define both. (abstraxhops.com)

"The spirits category has different price points and so will no-alcohol spirits' - Pernod Ricard's head of marketing for non-alc. (drinks-intel.com)

Bethenny Frankel emphasizes key business lessons from her Skinnygirl success to guide Mingle Mocktails' expansion and marketing strategies. (inc.com)

Mingle Mocktails partners with the Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), expanding distribution across 30 new markets, as well as focusing on establishing the brand’s on-premise footprint and additional expansion into key retailers. (drugstorenews.com) 

Francis Ford Coppola Winery launches "Vibrance" Pinot Grigio, a low-alcohol, low-calorie wine in its Diamond Collection. (winebusiness.com)

Kit NA Brewing expands its non-alc beer distribution, including Wegmans and new East Coast states,. (finance.yahoo.com)

Days Brewing, an alcohol-free beer brand, leverages TikTok for brand growth, introduces a pint bottle format, and commits to promoting healthier lifestyles and mental health. (beveragedaily.com)

Rudy Aldana co-founded Parch Spirits Co., transforming the non-alc beverage landscape with health-conscious craft cocktails, achieving rapid growth and widespread distribution, including partnerships with Whole Foods and Sprouts. (fmgstrategy.com)

Seir Hill non-alc spirits to be available at ShopRite in the MD/DE area. (linkedin.com)

Aaron Trotman of NON pioneers the premium non-alcoholic market, focusing on health-conscious consumers and moderation, achieving significant growth despite economic challenges. (drinkstrade.com.au)

Ian and Carly Blessing, formerly sommeliers, launched All The Bitter, creating a niche for alcohol-free bitters to enhance non-alcoholic cocktails, driven by personal lifestyle changes and a passion for flavor innovation, now planning expansion and new products. (dryatlas.com)

Stock Spirits Group is making its first steps into the non-alc spirits category with a new 0% ABV gin-style product— launching later this year under brand Finsbury. (just-drinks.com)

Why isn’t Big CPG acquiring more better-for-you brands? (tasteradio.com)

Interview: Kyle Cooke, Loverboy & the reality of building a lifestyle brand. (tasteradio.com)

Podcast: Bottling Bliss with Jen Batchelor of Kin Euphorics. (spotify.com)

Launches + Collabs + More

Little Saints launches Espresso Martini just in time for National Espresso Martini Day.

KAHOL, a London brand, launches a full line of 0% alcohol spirits, including a whisky alternative. (divebarlondon.com)

Francis Ford Coppola Winery launches "Vibrance" Pinot Grigio, a low-alcohol, low-calorie wine in its Diamond Collection. (winebusiness.com)

starlawines

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Starla Wines debuts Starla Sips, a single-serve 2-pack. (finance.yahoo.com)

Mingle Mocktails + FLAVOR FLAV

Liquid Death + L&F Distributors

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Health

Stanford University study suggests long COVID may increase severity of hangovers and alcohol sensitivity. (sfchronicle.com)

Managing hangover anxiety, or hangxiety, involves understanding its roots in disrupted brain chemistry from alcohol use, with hydration as a partial remedy but overall moderation as key. (nationalgeographic.com)

WHO Europe reports that few women are aware of the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. (barrons.com)

Culture

Exposure to Zero Tolerance Laws during adolescence leads to improved adult health, labor market outcomes, and reduced heavy alcohol consumption, with an annual economic gain of $18 billion. (marginalrevolution.com)

L.A.'s first alcohol-free cocktail lounge, Stay, offers a chic nightlife experience without the hangover, founded by Summer Phoenix and Stacey Mann in the historic Hong Kong Café space. (lamag.com)

San Antonio food and wine writer reviews a few non-alc beers. (sacurrent.com)

Functional drinking: How to get the buzz without the booze. (standard.co.uk)

Non-Non-Alc Splashes

Does alcohol + rap music = an investment case? (ft.com)

Drawing parallels between IPAs and pro wrestling, Doug Veliky explores how embracing diversity in styles, narratives, and collaborations can rejuvenate the IPA category, inspired by a unique wrestling event collaboration. (beercrunchers.substack.com)

Draft cocktails are gaining popularity over traditional draft beers, with venues like sports stadiums and bars embracing kegged cocktails for their efficiency, consistency, and ability to serve quickly. (washingtonpost.com)

What makes a restaurant great? (jeremiahtower.substack.com)

^{Data Shot} 🥃

Non-Alc Opportunities

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