Industry

In response to declining alcohol sales, NY Senator Michelle Hinchey proposed a bill allowing liquor stores to sell non-alc beverages, potentially clashing with supermarkets that want similar rights. (nypost.com)

The Biden administration plans to reclassify cannabis, reducing its legal penalties and acknowledging its medicinal uses, potentially impacting the $30bn legal cannabis industry and its rivalry with the alcohol market. (ft.com)

Climbing Kites THC/CBD seltzer gains popularity in Des Moines, compared to mainstream beers, despite Iowa's recreational marijuana ban. (axios.com)

Young adults under 30 are reducing their alcohol consumption, spurring the alcohol industry to increasingly focus on no- and low-alcohol drinks. (forbes.com)

Everleaf awarded three finalists of its Spritz Challenge a joint prize; they will visit Iceland to explore seaweed with the founder. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Mocktail popularity surges, market exceeds $500 million in 2023, with 23% of young adults under 35 driving growth. (modernrestaurantmanagement.com)

AB InBev confronts social stigma around non-alc beer, expanding its no- and low-alcohol range across global markets, leveraging well-known brands to reduce consumer reluctance and align with healthier lifestyle choices. (foodnavigator.com)

In the world’s oldest beer competition, Free Damm from Spain wins in the Non & Low Alcohol Beer category. (forbes.com)

Industry experts note that THC beverage sector has potential to attract new consumers and integrate into various social settings without detracting from the broader cannabis industry. (benzinga.com)

Guinness 0.0 sales surge 48.7% as it expands from 250 to over 1,400 Irish venues, supported by a new €25 million production facility. (drinksindustryireland.ie)

Low/no cider lags behind beer in market presence, facing challenges like lesser seasonal demand and promotional support, yet still shows potential with a 12.3% growth in 2023. (drinksretailingnews.co.uk)

Visitor beer is now available statewide in Michigan at Whole Foods. (linkedin.com)

Botivo, the aperitif-inspired brand, updates its identity to 'Big-Sipping Botanical Aperitivo,' enhancing market clarity and aligning with customer expectations for playful, abundant experiences. (lownodrinkermagazine.com)

Mingle Mocktails now available at all BevMo! locations in California. (linkedin.com)

Blind Tiger launches an equity crowd-funding campaign. (wefunder.com)

HOP WTR's expansion into nearly 2,000 Walmart stores nationwide marks a significant milestone. (bevnet.com)

Britain's independent breweries rebound to pre-pandemic levels; notable is the rising production of non-alc beer. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Megan Klein, founder of Little Saints, shares how she achieved significant business growth without VC funding by focusing on intuition and cutting unnecessary complexities (linkedin.com)

Podcast: Interview with the CEO of De Soi. (podcasts.apple.com)

Podcast: Emily Heintz expands Sèchey nationwide through a Target partnership. (spotify.com)

Launches + Collabs + More

Mother Root will be debuting Marmalade Switchel in June—described as a playful twist on a classic bitter orange aperitif.

Wherehouse Beverage Co., the team behind Wynk seltzers, has launched Countdown Energy, an energy drink that balances THC and caffeine with 10mg THC and 100mg caffeine.

Waterloo Sparkling Water & 🔥 Guy Fieri 🔥 introduce new mocktail flavors. (bevindustry.com)

Short's Brewing & Billy Strings announce new Thirst Mutilator Grape hop water. (bevnet.com)

Free Athletic Brewing beer on May 16. (mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com)

Peroni 0.0% boosts market presence through Formula 1, partnering with Scuderia Ferrari and DraftKings. (marketingdive.com)

Kally introduces Early Cabernet and Early Chardonnay. (linkedin.com)

Harmon's Craft Brewing teases seasonal Pale Ale, Buzz Kill. (linkedin.com)

New Delta Light flavor — Bright Berry.

Lapo’s Non Alcoholic Aperitivo releases 750mL bottle designed for sharing and savoring.

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Health

Research shows alcohol is neurotoxic, potentially reducing brain volume and impairing cognitive health, even at moderate levels. (thehealthy.com)

The DEA is reclassifying marijuana for medical use, potentially boosting the U.S. cannabis industry and enabling more scientific research. (semafor.com)

Study shows significant reductions in alcohol use and related problems among heavy drinking young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, lasting up to two years post-pandemic. (nature.com)

Culture

What should a good non-alc cocktail be? (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Non-alc cocktails are increasingly popular among children, raising questions about the appropriateness and implications of this trend. (nytimes.com)

Herban Flow in St. Pete offers Florida's largest selection of legal, hemp-derived THC beverages. (ilovetheburg.com)

More brides are opting for wellness retreats over traditional boozy bachelorette parties, focusing on relaxation and bonding in tranquil settings like spas. (nytimes.com)

Dallas brewer Jamie Fulton, sober and pioneering non-alc beer, embraces the shift as younger adults drink less, craving craft without consequences. (dallasobserver.com)

Maryland's Hopscotch, led by Darryl Collins, pioneers non-alc spirits, rejecting "trend" for a lasting shift toward taste, health, and balance. (baltimoremagazine.com)

Non-Non-Alc Splashes

Carmelo Anthony partners with Robert Mondavi Winery, launches luxury wine. (northbaybusinessjournal.com)

Foxtrot Market's strategy failed due to its focus on upscale items over essential convenience products, affecting its sustainability in the competitive market. (2pml.com)

BrewDog's James Watt steps down as CEO. (just-drinks.com)

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Non-Alc Opportunities

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