Mock the Toast | 04.11.24

ID'ing for Non-Alc | Landscape After Boisson | Cannabis-Wine Beef

everything zero to low-alcohol

Industry

Target expands its commitment to non-alc beverages, partnering with Sèchey to offer a curated selection year-round, making dry options more accessible nationwide. (wwd.com)

Despite Boisson's Chapter 11 restructuring, the non-alc bev market shows promising growth and opportunities for expansion in traditional retail, indicating a vibrant future for the sector. (insidehook.com)

Target now requires ID for all non-alc drink purchases, highlighting the category's mainstream success and the complexities of retailing zero-proof beverages alongside alcoholic ones. (foodandwine.com)

Despite common misconceptions, non-alc beers face stringent regulations at both federal and state levels, differing significantly across states, challenging brewers entering the market. (law.com)

Mingle Mocktails introduces a new Sparkling Raspberry Rosé flavor, offering a healthier, non-alc summer beverage option now available nationwide, including at Target and through a new distribution deal with RNDC. (forbes.com)

Non-alc beverages face regulatory challenges in Australia; they cannot legally claim to be "alcohol free" if they contain any alcohol, according to both the Food Standards Code and the ACCC, despite industry demand for clearer guidelines. (lexology.com)

Hemp-derived THC beverages are experiencing a surge in consumer demand and expanding distribution, despite regulatory uncertainties and logistical challenges. (bevnet.com)

BRĒZ ranks #2 in Food & Beverage on TikTok, achieving 3,060 orders, benefiting from lower customer acquisition costs on TikTok compared to Meta. (linkedin.com)

Denver's craft beer scene adapts to changing consumer habits, with a significant rise in non-alc beer sales as health-conscious drinkers opt for alternatives without the buzz. (inc.com)

De Soi founders Katy Perry & Morgan McLachlan on their entrepreneurial alchemy. (inc.com)

UK's Mash Gang, following an investment from Ryan McCarry, aims to self-finance within two years, focusing on scaling production to meet demand and exploring bank loans over equity dilution. (globaldata.com)

Chile's Sinzero non-alc wines find success in China. (lun.com)

Hazard's Hop Water caters to golfers and the health-conscious with its beneficial, flavorful options. (abc30.com)

Illicit Elixirs brings on Paul Schmidt as VP of Marketing. (linkedin.com)

Tsingtao launches its 0.0 non-alc beer in the US, targeting health-conscious consumers with a low-calorie option. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Momo Kombucha raises £1M to meet growing gut health demand. (thegrocer.co.uk)

Pernod Ricard is now the exclusive distributor for Free AF in New Zealand. (linkedin.com)

Athletic Brewing aims for non-alc beer to reach 10-20% of the beer market, fueled by quality and a broadening consumer base seeking mindful options. (yahoo.com)

Figlia partners with Union Beer Distributors to bring their beverages to NYC. (linkedin.com)

Podcast: WTF: A NA Retailer Goes M.I.A. (podcasts.apple.com)

Podcast: Ghia’s got flavor with Mélanie Masarin. (podcasts.apple.com)

Launches + Collabs + More

All The Bitter expands to France, now in 10 markets with Nolo House distribution.

New sparkling water brand 'Not Beer' aims to capitalize on Liquid Death's popularity. (modernretail.co)

Country Singer Walker Hayes debuts 'Fancy Like' non-alc beer in collaboration with Athletic Brewing. (rumraiders.com)

Talonmore and Antioxi launch 'Talonmore Roar' mocktail for health ahead of World Health Day. (scottishgrocer.co.uk)

Bottega unveils alcohol-free Limoncino 0.0 at Vinitaly. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Dax Shepard and friends launch Ted Segers, a non-alc beer, aiming for better taste and sobriety. (detroitnews.com)

ISH drops Paloma.

Original Sin announces the release of three new low-calorie NA ciders. (brewbound.com)

Siren debuts a hop water. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Varnum Vintners launches Oregon's first non-alc wine, "Brut Zero," crafted from local grapes. (oregonlive.com)

Free Spirits announces Margarita and Kentucky Mule RTD cocktails.

Reply to this email with your launches, collabs, expansions and/or news.

Health

Kombucha could trigger similar benefits to fasting, study finds. (plosgenetics.org)

Ireland mandates cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages by 2026, sparking industry opposition and international interest in similar health-focused labeling initiatives. (nytimes.com)

Culture

Contrarian Take: CEO of Trulieve criticized for her views that alcohol and cannabis are just intoxicants, ignoring wine's cultural significance, which critics find simplistic and self-serving. (tomwark.substack.com)

Debates on the legal drinking age for non-alc "adult" drinks challenge norms within the sober-curious movement. (theatlantic.com)

Older Americans' alcohol use has risen, exacerbated by the pandemic but increasing even before 2020 due to social and lifestyle factors. (nytimes.com

Removing alcohol from wine also strips it of key aroma and flavor compounds, altering its body and texture, making it challenging to replicate the "wine-likeness" of alcoholic varieties. (theglobeandmail.com)

Hop water's popularity explained. (insidehook.com)

Non-alc bev pairings are gaining popularity in London's high-end restaurants. (elpais.com)

Hilary Sheinbaum's new book, "Going Dry," encourages a sober-curious lifestyle, offering insights into the movement's rise and practical advice for reducing alcohol consumption. (wwd.com)

Non-alc bars rising in San Diego. (sandiegomagazine.com)

Non-Non-Alc Splashes

Earth to Beer collaborates with over 35 US breweries for Earth Day to brew sustainably sourced and packaged beers, partnering with local environmental nonprofits to promote more eco-friendly brewing practices. (modernfarmer.com)

Drizly's closure by Uber leaves a significant gap in the U.S. online alcohol market, prompting a shift towards platforms like Instacart and Uber Eats. (beveragedaily.com)

Data Shot 🥃

Non-Alc Opportunities

Non-Alc Activity Tracker

Colleague feeling left out? Forward them this newsletter :)