Five Links From The Week – March 16, 2024
Leading up to St. Patrick’s Day means there is a ton of alcohol talk, and not quite as much…sober talk. Still though, the non-alcoholic scene in the Finger Lakes isn’t changing too quick, but it continues to gain momentum worldwide. This week there’s news of mocktail pop-ups, the United Kingdom discussing how they should be labeling beverages, and how some folks just kept going with their Dry January routine.
UK Labels Could Be Changing
Here in the United States the label “nonalcoholic” means that a beverage has less than 0.5% ABV. There are some products, like Heineken 0.0 that claim to have precisely zero alcohol, but actually have tiny trace amounts upward of 0.03%. Globally, the rules for identifying whether or not a product is “alcohol free” vary from place to place. Recent discussions in the UK are showing a bit of shakeup on how nonalcoholic drinks could be labeled there.
Story: Labelling rules weighing on UK non-alcoholic market, says Club Soda founder
Dry January Turns Into Just Being Sober All The Time
There are more and more people taking a run at the Dry January and Sober October challenges in recent years. Some folks stay dry for the month and head back to their alcoholic options, but some are realizing that month of dry time served them well. For a few people, that month has been more about the discovery that sober feels good. The Good Men Project offers a story about some people that decided to just keep going.
Story: ‘Why Would I Not Keep Going?’ Month-Long Sobriety Challenges Establish Healthy Habits
Starla Wines Adds An On-The-Go Option
When Starla Wines was founded in 2021 their lineup of non-alc wines intended to break a bunch of barriers. They offer a sugar free, full bodied wine alternative that has made some decent waves in the few years they’ve been around. This past week the founder/CEO announced that they’ll be expanding their offerings in 2-packs of individual glass size servings. Rather than carting around an entire bottle of Starla Wines, you’ll be able to take one serving on the go.
San Antonio Bars Are Stepping It Up
While there are bottle shops and non-alc options springing up all over the place, a few cities are still jumping on board and recognizing that having options isn’t just a novelty. Some people in San Antonio, Texas are realizing the options available are better than before, and it’s catching on.
Story: Non-alcoholic beers have improved, and San Antonio stores carry some worth a sip
