{"id":37561,"date":"2022-06-05T12:39:04","date_gmt":"2022-06-05T12:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/the-buzzy-new-drinking-trend-is-no-booze-alcohol\/"},"modified":"2022-06-05T12:39:04","modified_gmt":"2022-06-05T12:39:04","slug":"the-buzzy-new-drinking-trend-is-no-booze-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/the-buzzy-new-drinking-trend-is-no-booze-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"The buzzy new drinking trend is no-booze alcohol"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a long time “you had ‘near beer,’ which was kind of a joke,” said Duane Stanford, editor of Beverage Digest. “People would be discreet about drinking them. And now that’s completely changed.” <\/p>\n

In recent years, major alcohol companies including Heineken, AB InBev and Molson Coors have started offering more zero alcohol options. Smaller brands, such as Athletic Brewing, which makes non-alcoholic craft beer, and Seedlip, which makes booze-free liquor alternatives, have also arrived on the scene. <\/div>\n

Seedlip “started to gain momentum a few years ago and continues to today,” said Lizzy Freier, director of menu research and insights at food service consulting firm Technomic. <\/p>\n

\n

Mentions of Seedlip on drink menus has grown 100% year-over-year, Freier said, adding that “we’re now starting to see some new alcohol-free spirits show up on the market, especially in independent restaurants.” <\/p>\n

Non-alcoholic booze alternatives are still a tiny market compared to regular alcoholic beverages. But while alcohol sales slip, sales of their alcohol-free counterparts are soaring. <\/p>\n

In the year ending May 14, US retail sales of non-alcoholic spirits grew 116% to $ 4.5 million, according to NielsenIQ. Alcoholic spirit sales slipped about 1% to just under $ 21 billion. <\/p>\n

In that same period, non-alcoholic beer jumped 21% to $ 316 million and non-alcoholic wine rose 20% to $ 50 million. Traditional beer sales fell 4% to about $ 46 billion, and sales of alcoholic wine declined 6% to nearly $ 20 billion. <\/p>\n

Stanford sees it this way: As interest in non-alcoholic alternatives rises, there’s a greater imperative for brands to deliver better products as more of them launch.<\/p>\n

“There is a real market force now to go and create those solutions and to really work at it,” he said. “There’s money to be made. So people are figuring it out.” <\/p>\n

But, Stanford added, “I do wonder what the natural ceiling is for these products, because you don’t have the functionality of alcohol.” In other words, how many people really want booze without the buzz? <\/p>\n

Going out, but drinking less <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Demand for non-alcoholic alternatives has been largely driven by younger consumers who want to drink less but aren’t interested in abstaining from alcohol altogether, Stanford said. <\/p>\n

“They’re not necessarily teetotaling. In fact, most of them aren’t,” he said. “They do drink alcohol, but they’re just trying to moderate.” <\/p>\n

A non-alcoholic beer or cocktail might appeal to consumers who, for example, are observing Dry January. Or maybe they want to stay out late with friends, but keep drinking to a minimum. Perhaps they have to drive home, or are trying to avoid a hangover. Or they are aware of alcohol’s negative health effects, and want to consume less in general. <\/div>\n

Those drinkers could always reach for a seltzer or a soda, of course. But non-alcoholic beverage makers are positioning their products as more sophisticated and flavorful. And, with colorful cans and festive packaging, they’re designed to help non-drinkers blend in. <\/p>\n

“The biggest market play we’re seeing is this emphasized idea that customers can still gather, celebrate and enjoy a good drink while still abstaining from alcohol, whether that be for lifestyle choices or personal reasons,” Freier said. <\/p>\n

\n
\n