The drink industry is constantly shifting with new trends and the no and low alcoholic categories have been at the forefront of the conversation.
Here are some recent stats demonstrating that these categories can’t be considered trends anymore. They are a part of the everyday consumer experience:
No and low sales are expected to increase by 31% in volume by 2024
Low alcohol and non-alcoholic beer are the biggest product categories with a 75% volume share
32% (one in three)UK consumers are drinking non-alcoholic drinks and spirits
The space provides an exciting arena for unique ingredients and creative drink experiences.
Here are some of the best no and low beverages I’ve tried so far or that have piqued my interest.
Lucky Saint
For many years it seemed like a tasty non-alcoholic beer was a mythological creature. Something heard about in stories but could never be experienced or seen in reality.
All that changed with the development of Lucky Saint, a 0.5% drink that has all of the qualities of a crisp German pilsner.
The reason Lucky Saint tastes so good is because of the recipe, which you can read about here.
Fungtn
Functional drinks are another interesting space, with natural ingredients used to achieve specific flavour profiles. Fungtn is a market leader, offering a variety of beers made from medical mushrooms.
A while back I interviewed founder Zoey Henderson, who gave me a mushroom masterclass on why these types of drinks need to stop being slept on.
Aecorn
An argument could be made that Seedlip took the no and low alcohol boom to the next level by focusing on a premium product.
Aecorn founder Claire Warner followed in the footsteps of Seedlip’s Ben Branson by creating a range of non-alcoholic aperitifs.
Each product uses natural ingredients such as acorns, English sparkling wine grapes and more. For the full story, check out the interview I did with Claire.
Athletic Brewing
Training for your next marathon or planning to hit the gym again? Did you know there’s a non-alcoholic beer designed specifically to fit into that routine?
Athletic Brewing was founded by John Walker and Bill Shufelt in the pursuit of crafting a great drink that didn’t compromise a healthy lifestyle.
From a storytelling perspective, Athletic Brewing is doing a fantastic job of reframing the conversation about health and non-alcoholic drinks.
Caleno
As someone who loves a good rum, it’s nice to know there’s a non-alcoholic drink in the market that I can compare it to like Caleno.
This range of tropical spirits has an amazing story that comes from the founder Ellie Webb.
Fuelled by her Colombian heritage and enjoyment of vibrant flavours, Webb developed tropical products like the Light & Zesty, which is reminiscent of gin and dark and spicy, which is reminiscent of rum.
Sentia
Another development within no and low is the rise of sensory drinks i.e. products that mimic the effects of being buzzed without the hangover. An incredible drink at the forefront of this new frontier is Sentia.
Sentia was created with Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), a chemical messenger to the brain that produces a calming feeling and reduces stress. It slows down the brain by blocking certain signals, effectively mimicking the feeling of being tipsy.
Let me know what your thoughts are about these non-alcoholic drinks and leave a comment about your experiences with no and low.
If you’ve enjoyed this free article, why not dive deeper with a Premium Serve membership for £5 per month or £30 for an annual subscription.
You can expense the newsletter with your company to improve your drink knowledge and contribute to giving a voice to an industry in need of recovery and championing.