🎄^{Wishing you a festive holiday season and a prosperous New Year!} 🍾

Mixed Things

Industry

Experts predict alc-free wine will be the new focus in 2024, thanks to improved vinification techniques and innovative brands like Moderato, Freixenet, Jacob's Creek, and Château La Coste entering the premium 0% wine market. (theguardian.com)

An in-depth analysis of data and trends related to hop water, which has seen growing popularity with a 143% growth in the last 52 weeks, led by California brands and expanding in diverse markets.(beercrunchers.substack.com)

Waitrose's 2023 report shows a 23% rise in low/no alcohol sales, w/ brands like Heineken, Warner’s, & Guinness launching non-alcoholic products, amid a broader trend of mindful drinking. (drinksretailingnews.co.uk)

Low/no alc beverages are spearheading market growth due to a surge in consumer demand, evidenced by a 9% volume increase in no-alcohol products in 2022 and an anticipated CAGR of 7% from 2022 to 2026, with low-alc brands like Modelo Oro and Heineken Silver gaining popularity and low-alc RTD spirits growing 40-50%, showcasing a shift towards healthier, low-alc options. (bevindustry.com)

Asda anticipates a 9% increase in non-alcoholic drink sales, responding to a 50% surge in related searches and a third of Brits planning a sober Christmas, expanding its range with products like the Extra Special Non-Alcoholic Red Berries Botanical Spirit Drink and the Extra Special Non-Alcoholic Dark Spiced Spirit Drink. (thedrinksbusiness.com)

The $13 billion global no-and-low alcohol market grew by 5% in volume in 2023. (thespiritsbusiness.com)

The future of alc-free beverages is trending towards functional formulations infused with mood-boosting ingredients like mushrooms, turmeric, caffeine, and adaptogens, catering to consumers seeking an elevated experience beyond just taste. (foodbusinessnews.net)

A study on Gen Z and millennials' drinking habits offers a comprehensive analysis of their drinking preferences---soft drinks are the clear winner. (the-buyer.net)

Consumer demand for canned cocktails increased with 20% growth in alcoholic and 4% in non-alcoholic varieties, while intentions to reduce alcohol consumption declined by 18%, with flavor and price emerging as key factors influencing purchases. (craftbrewingbusiness.com)

Alistair Frost's journey from working in bars to founding Pentire and the company's growth and future plans. (issuu.com)

Naughty cements position in Canada with distribution to premium retailers and hospitality accounts. (linkedin.com)

Miller Family Wine Company and Better Rhodes are joining forces to enhance the non-alcoholic beverage market by offering a wider selection of premium alcohol-free options. (winebusiness.com)

Ritual Zero Proof now available at select Walmart locations. (linkedin.com)

Cut Above Zero Proof Spirits is now available in Wisconsin. (linkedin.com)

REBELS 0.0% expands to the UK. (linkedin.com)

Mitra9, specializing in kava & kratom-based beverages, is reformulating its products for national retail expansion, focusing on natural, non-alcoholic markets & cost-effective distribution strategies. (beveragedaily.com)

‘24 SXSW Panel: Why Not Drinking is the Hottest Trend in Drinking. (schedule.sxsw.com)

Video Podcast: Breaking through the crowded Food and Bev space w/ Jill Sites from Boisson. (youtube.com)

Event: Diageo and FoodNBev launch a CPG series in January, focusing on no/low alcohol with speakers from Ritual Zero Proof, Absence of Proof, and Diageo. (partiful.com)

Launches + Collabs + More

Best Day Brewing launches seasonal Belgian White. (wholefoodsmagazine.com)

H2OPS Inc., known for pioneering craft brewed hop water, has achieved USDA Organic status & shifted from glass bottles to eco-friendly aluminum cans. (prweb.com)

Loverboy debuts its first zero-sugar, full-flavor non-alcoholic sparkling teas. (prnewswire.com)

Wiper & True launch a 0.5% Kaleidoscope Pale Ale. (linkedin.com)

Lucky F*ck, an energy drink startup, secured $4 million in funding from Imaginary Ventures, aiming to expand to 15k stores in 2024. (linkedin.com)

Lyre's has teamed up with The London Essence Company for an exclusive cocktail experience at top London bars until December 24th. (linkedin.com)

Snoop Dogg launches a new line of THC and CBD beverages with Hill Beverage Co. (usatoday.com)

Seedlip unveils Notas de Agave. (finance.yahoo.com)

Cali Sober has launched a line of hemp-derived mocktails in Tennessee, offering an elevated experience with THC-infused flavors and an alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages, available in three flavors with 5 mg THC per can.

Molly J and Kin Euphorics team up to launch plant-powered Social Rhode Gumdrops.

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Health

Mocktails are increasingly popular as a healthier, sophisticated alternative to alcoholic drinks, with evidence suggesting they aid in reducing alcohol consumption and offer potential health benefits, though concerns remain about their impact on alcohol normalization to younger audiences and suitability for individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder. (nationalgeographic.com)

Binge drinking, genetic predisposition, and type 2 diabetes can collectively increase the risk of alcohol-related cirrhosis by six-fold. (medicalnewstoday.com)

Dry January offers health benefits like better sleep, heart health, weight loss, clearer skin, and improved immunity. (prevention.com)

Culture

Killjoy, a Nashville-based non-alc bottle shop, won Relay's "Reasons To Be Profitable Contest" for its mission to change the drinking culture and promote socializing without alcohol.👏(relayfi.com)

2023 saw a growing consensus that any alcohol consumption is harmful, challenging previous beliefs & influencing a rise in non-alc beverage sales. (gq.com)

A unique journey of sobriety through personal experience and interactions with bartenders, highlighting the growing acceptance and variety of non-alc drinks in a culture traditionally centered around alcohol.(salon.com)

Office parties are changing to include less or no alcohol due to concerns about inappropriate behavior, shifting social attitudes, and the preferences of younger workers who are less interested in excessive drinking. (inc.com)

Yelp's top 25 mocktail spots ahead of Dry January. (blog.yelp.com)

The top non-alc spirits according to bartenders. (foodandwine.com)

Comprehensive guide to non-alc RTDs. (jessafrances.substack.com)

Non-Non-Alc Splashes

The trend of cocktail bars implementing fancy ice programs, enhancing the drink experience. (vinepair.com)

With a decrease in champagne prices, potential bargains for holiday shoppers appear. (barrons.com)

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