Mock the Toast | 05.30.24

Surely Moves | Look to Boxers 🥊 | De-Alc Wine Debates

everything zero to low-alcohol

Industry

Surely Wines appoints Brandon Joldersma as CEO and secures new funding from Pure Ventures to expand their premium non-alc wine offerings. (apnews.com)

Seabourn launches "Zero @ Sea," a non-alc cocktail program featuring innovative zero-proof drinks available across its ultra-luxury cruise fleet. (cruiseindustrynews.com)

RationAle is raising $2.5m for expansion, led by Bochi Investments, with strong velocities in San Diego. (paperboyventures.com)

Alcohol is too affordable in the WHO European Region, and excise taxes can reduce consumption by increasing prices relative to income. (who.int)

HelloFresh customers in the Northeast receive Kit NA Brewing's non-alc Hazy IPA sample in their meal kits. (craftbrewingbusiness.com)

Spirits of Virtue nears its £400,000 Seedrs crowdfunding goal to expand non-alc spirit production, create 65 jobs, and reach 10 additional countries. (scottishfinancialnews.com)

Athletic Brewing's marketing efforts including free beer promotions, partnerships with celebrities, and targeted campaigns in live sports have helped it overtake Budweiser and Heineken as the top-selling non-alc beer. (adweek.com)

Beverage innovations, especially non-alc spirits and boba, are trending with younger consumers at the National Restaurant Association Show. (nrn.com)

Sponsored: Unlock premium Low/No Alc options w/ Better Rhodes Premium Beverages, featuring Wander + Found wines & Sir James RTDs, available for hospitality & bottle shop operators nationwide through direct, 3-tier, & food distributors. (Learn More)

Seir Hill joins Chartwells Higher Education to offer healthy alcohol alternatives at nearly 300 campuses nationwide. (linkedin.com)

Cut Above, the exclusive non-alc spirit at The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival, discussed inclusive hospitality and the importance of sophisticated alcohol-free cocktails. (linkedin.com)

Diageo leverages moderation trends in APAC by engaging in cultural collaborations and responsible drinking campaigns to reach selective consumers. (marketing-interactive.com)

Talonmore wins the Scottish Edge Competition for RBS funding and secures wholesale deals with Inverarity Morton and Montpelier Group. (dramscotland.co.uk)

Athletic Brewing, founded by Bill Shufelt and John Walker, overcame multiple rejections to become a leading non-alcoholic beer brand with a $50 million investment from Keurig Dr Pepper. (forbes.com)

Louie Louie Co-Founder warns that Senate Bill 237 threatens their hemp-infused beverage business, which uses natural delta-9 THC from federally compliant hemp plants. (linkedin.com)

Lucky Saint's approach to marketing includes creating a "surround sound" effect, embracing immeasurable metrics, empowering middle managers, and maintaining "fresh consistency" with their iconic branding. (linkedin.com)

For the best non-alc wines, look to Germany, which has over a century of experience producing them. (nytimes.com)

The decline in female beer drinkers is attributed to confusing diversity in beer options, stigma, and inadequate representation and education in the industry. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Boxers are valuable "blank canvases" for drinks brands due to their fan base, event atmosphere, and increasing luxury market potential in boxing. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

The Morning Advertiser's Low & No Project aims to inspire pubs and bars to capitalize on the growing low/no alcohol drinks market, supported by major industry sponsors including Adnams, Diageo, Heineken, Lucky Saint and Thatchers. (morningadvertiser.co.uk)

WYNK adjusted pricing, boosting consumer trial and velocity, making its cannabis drinks more approachable. (linkedin.com)

Flyers rebrands with eye on fueling retail growth. (bevnet.com)

vandeStreek launches Playground non-alc IPA on tap. (vandestreekbier.nl)

Podcast: Athletic Brewing Company co-founder talks non-alc craft beer, innovation, and entrepreneurship. (marnionthemove.com)

Podcast: Discussing Grüvi's innovative non-alc beverages, single-serving packaging, customer feedback, sustainability, and community impact. (buzzsprout.com)

Podcast: Interview with Co-Founder & CEO of RationAle . (spotify.com)

Launches + Collabs + More

Love From and Cloudwater Brew partner to create Boring AF, a non-alc sour beer. (linkedin.com)

Montana's first non-alc IPA, Lupujūs ZERO, is now available in more places. (newstalkkgvo.com)

Siponey Spritz Co. launches four new non-alc cocktails this summer, inspired by classic drinks and made with real ingredients. (wkrg.com)

Hippie Water arriving in July.

Wednesday's Domaine launches Elan, an alcohol-free rosé for summer sipping. (wellbeingmagazine.com)

Partake Brewing introduces new Mexican-style lager. (mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com)

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

Health

People under 35 are drinking less, influenced by health concerns, shifting social norms, and appealing non-alc options. (sfchronicle.com)

Even mild insomnia symptoms can predict future alcohol use in adults. (psypost.org)

Researchers found kombucha tea microbes mimic fasting effects on fat metabolism in worms, suggesting potential health benefits for humans with further study needed. (scitechdaily.com)

Culture

Outback Steakhouse's new 'Croc-Tail' cocktail & mocktail, went viral for its vibrant look and crocodile toy. (parade.com)

Saudi Arabia opens its first alc-free night club, Beast House, in Riyadh, offering a creative hub for artists and music enthusiasts. (siasat.com)

The No/Low Tour returns, focusing on mindful drinking and wellness, celebrating non-alc and low ABV cocktails with expanded scholarships and educational programs in 2024. (bevnet.com)

Wine expert warns that de-alcoholised wine might not be as beneficial as it seems for both health and the environment. (independent.co.uk)

Experts discuss how dealcoholized wine has evolved to offer the complexities of traditional wine, driven by health-conscious consumers and improved production techniques. (vegnews.com)

Wine industry experts Robert Joseph, Amanda Thomson, and Dan Harwood defend dealcoholized wine against criticisms, emphasizing advancements, environmental efforts, and its growing acceptance as a quality beverage option. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

Non-Non-Alc Splashes

Avión unveils its first NFT tequila. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

Australian Vintage faces a financial crisis, seeking emergency capital after failed merger talks with Accolade, with debts exceeding AU$70 million and suspended shares. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

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