Insider Tips To Upgrade Your Low-ABV Drinks This Dry January
The way we drink is changing. And the way we talk about drinking is changing, too. Whether you’re only in it for Dry January or are tempted to extend your one-month membership, our sobriety pioneers are here to make sure that whatever you’re drinking goes down easily.
What To Look Out for in 2025
Rose Finney, head of off-trade at NoLo distillery Pentire, tells us what to expect from Dry Januaries to come.
Your Drinks Will Cut the Crap
‘Health is now the biggest driver in the non-alcoholic category. People looking to moderate their alcohol intake don’t want buckets of sugar or stabilisers in their alternatives. According to data, more than 50% of consumers assert that an ideal non-alcoholic beverage should have low to zero sugar, zero calories and zero fat.’
With Added Benefits, Too
‘The functional category – drinks with CBD and lion’s mane, for example – also shows no signs of fizzling out. I think we’ll see more non-alcoholic alternatives promoting less common vitamins, such as A and K, and pro- or prebiotic properties. Think apple cider vinegar sodas and brands like Olipop and Poppi.’
Non-Alcs Will Get a Sporty Twist
‘At the end of December 2023, White Claw released an electrolyte-enhanced 0% alcohol can, but I’ve not seen anything similar since. I reckon there’s a strong chance of that changing soon, though, as we see a much greater focus on hydration.’
How To Pick Out a Better Beer
First time at the 0% shelf? This swift can translation from James and Alex Loveday, co-founders of Mash Gang, will help you decode those low-booze labels.
The Style
We’ve produced more than 250 beers in the past four years, and lagers and pale ales are the most popular. You’ll see more hazy IPAs and other styles from breweries coming to the shelves soon.
The ABV
The macro-brewery 0% lagers you get from the supermarket are made to full-strength, then the alcohol is stripped out, which also takes a lot of flavour. Our non-alcoholic beers go through a traditional brewing process, which gives them a 0.5% ABV, but you get far more flavour.
The Name
You need to grab attention and stir up some intrigue on the shelf, and a good name should do that. But you also don’t want the drinker to feel like an idiot when they order it at a bar.
The Image
We want our cans to help anyone feel included without having to justify their choices – a creative label will have people around asking what you’re drinking, rather than why aren’t you drinking.
The Hops
If there’s a list of hops on the can, you know whoever made it has an appreciation for the style and its ingredients. It shows they care about the process.
The Price
People wonder why a beer with no alcohol costs the same as one with it. Sure, we’re not paying alcohol duty, but all the raw costs, time and energy stay the same.
What the Hell Is Hop Water?
It’s sweeping across the US and slowly gaining traction in the UK. Here’s a shotgun guide to your new no-booze and no-calorie go-to, courtesy of Siren Craft Brew’s Andy Nowlan.
Hop Infused Sparkling Water | Citra | 0.0%
Explain sparkling hop water in one sentence.
It’s a fat-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free, alcohol-free sparkling water infused with hops.
What’s happening in the US?
Our head brewer and founder both took a trip to America for the hop harvest in Oregon, and there was a huge buzz about hop waters from brewers and growers. Big US breweries, such as Sierra Nevada, have made successful ones, and a bunch of hop water companies have already cropped up.
How’s it tasting?
It’s super clean, really refreshing and expresses a ‘pure’ hop character, as there’s no interaction with any other ingredients.
Who’s it for?
Anyone who likes a pale ale or IPA would be interested. It’s a new product in a non-existent category, so we’ve been trialling it with a more general audience, too. People have been really surprised at how much they enjoy it as an alternative to other fizzy drinks, such as Coca-Cola or fruity sparkling water.
What hops should I look out for?
Begin with single-hop options to start appreciating their profiles. Citra is a well-known hop with a grassy and dank flavour found in IPAs, Idaho 7 gives tropical fruit and Nelson Sauvin has a grape-like character.
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