What Makes a Great Non-Alc Bottle Shop? (pt. 1)
I’m super excited to bring you this travel-based series of What makes a great NA bottle shop. Our virtual worldwide trip takes us from Indiana to Portugal and everywhere in between. This is the first of several installments.
I’m super excited to bring you this travel-based series of What Makes a Great NA Bottle Shop. Our virtual worldwide trip takes us from Indiana to Portugal and everywhere in between. This is the first of several installments.
The Other Bottle |📍 Lisbon, Portugal
Q+A with Jeremias Loock, owner of The Other Bottle.
The Other Bottle | 📍 Lisbon, Portugal
What makes a great NA / functional bev bottle shop?
For me, a great NA bottle shop is not just a place that sells alcohol-free drinks. It needs to be a space of discovery, trust, and edutainment.
The category is still new for many people, so curation is everything. Customers need to feel that every bottle has been selected with a clear point of view: quality, taste, occasion, and real drinking experience. A great shop helps people understand when and how to drink these products, whether it is for dinner, a celebration, an aperitif, pairing with food, or simply replacing a ritual they already enjoy.
The best bottle shops also create confidence. Many shoppers have tried bad alcohol-free products in the past, so you need to guide them, let them taste, explain the difference between wine alternatives, proxies, aperitifs, kombuchas, beers, and functional drinks, and make the category feel exciting rather than restrictive.
In the end, a great NA bottle shop should feel like a modern wine shop: curated, welcoming, knowledgeable, and full of products and info about the producers that make people curious.
What’s one of your favorite brands of the moment?
One of my favorite brands of the moment is Royale, the first Portuguese high-end alcohol-free sparkling brand.
Royale
For me, it is simply the best quality alcohol-free sparkling I have tasted so far. Portugal may be a little late to the category compared to some other markets, but what is coming out now is genuinely top notch.
I also see this with other new Portuguese producers: for example, Oyá is probably the best alcohol-free beer I have tasted. So while the market here is still young, the quality of the new generation of products is extremely exciting.
What I really like about Royale is that it brings a very pure, quality-driven approach to the category. It feels elegant, premium, and genuinely made for special occasions, not just as a compromise.
It is also a female-founded brand, which makes it even more interesting in a category that is still being shaped by strong independent producers and new perspectives.
Royale Cabernet Blanc
What tip do you have for potential / new shoppers?
My tip would be: do not start by looking for the perfect copy of your favorite alcoholic drink. Start by asking what occasion you are shopping for.
Is it for an aperitif? Dinner? A wine pairing? Something fresh after work? A celebration? Once you think in occasions, the category becomes much easier and much more exciting.
Also, be open to tasting. The NA category is incredibly diverse now, and some of the best products are not trying to imitate alcohol directly. They create their own experience.
Herban Flow |📍 St. Petersburg, FL
Q+A with Caitlyn Smith, co-owner of Herban Flow.
Herban Flow | 📍 St. Petersburg, FL
What makes a great NA / functional beverage bottle shop?
A great NA / functional bottle shop creates a welcoming environment where people can explore without judgment. Education is a huge part of what we do at Herban Flow — there are so many new ingredients, effects, and experiences in this space, and customers often come in overwhelmed or unsure where to start. We focus on helping people discover products based on how they want to feel, whether that’s relaxed, social, energized, focused, or simply enjoying a great-tasting drink without alcohol.
We also think variety and accessibility matter. Having options across different potency levels, flavor profiles, and functional ingredients allows people to personalize their experience and feel comfortable trying something new. Most importantly, it should feel fun, approachable, and community-driven.
What’s one of your favorite brands of the moment?
One of our favorite brands right now is Herbal Oasis. They’ve done a beautiful job blending functional botanicals with a social drinking experience that still feels elevated and approachable. Their focus on plant-based ingredients, relaxation, and mindful connection aligns closely with what we love sharing at Herban Flow, and they’ve done a great job making functional beverages feel approachable for new consumers.
Herbal Oasis - Lemon Lift
What’s one tip you have for potential / new shoppers?
Start low, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A lot of people walk in thinking they need to understand every ingredient before trying anything, but the best approach is focusing on the experience you’re looking for. Whether you want to unwind after work, replace alcohol socially, or just try something new, there’s usually a great starting point for everyone.
Generation NA |📍 Lafayette, IN
Q+A with Rob Theodorow, owner of Generation NA.
Generation NA | 📍 Lafayette, IN
What makes a great NA / functional beverage bottle shop?
I’m going to talk about this a bit more in our 4-years anniversary video tomorrow, but IMO it’s all about the experience. It’s not just buying a slushy machine or signing up for a farmer’s market – those are just the tools. It’s all about creating a community and something people want to be a part of – oh and giving them a little FOMO too. Focusing on what you are versus what you aren’t. We don’t dwell on the non-alcoholic part but rather show the benefits of functional drinks and what they can offer - fun / improved lifestyle / vibes!
What’s one of your favorite brands of the moment?
Mellow Mood Hemp Co. – they are vertically integrated and own a hemp farm just south of our shop. The quality and variety of products are second to none in the space. They have options for just about anyone – elixirs, gummies, salves, bath bombs, etc.
Mellow Mood Hemp Co.’s D9 Chemdog Elixir
What’s one tip you have for potential / new shoppers?
Stop asking us “what’s the point?” LOL, just kidding – but for real though. Don’t think about these shops as “sober” shops necessarily and that you have to refrain from alcohol 100% to enter. We’re community hubs that offer alternatives to booze for any occasion.
Killjoy |📍 Nashville, TN
Q+A with Stephanie Styll, co-owner of Killjoy.
Killjoy | 📍 Nashville, TN
What makes a great NA / functional beverage bottle shop?
The COMMUNITY!! Hands down! Our community is so engaged and loving that showing up and being at the shop is a F*CKING JOY!
What’s one of your favorite brands of the moment?
Namari, is it ever not Namari season???!! Guinep, these are great for the summer and an active lifestyle. Cali Sober, my fav THC go to, they are just floaty, social and f*cking DELICIOUS!!
Namari
What’s one tip you have for potential / new shoppers?
Ask the staff about the product or recommendations! We love guiding folks through this tasty space! There are many options available, so being curious and quizzative is a must!
Orangily |📍 Indianapolis, IN
Q+A with Kris Patrick, co-owner of Orangily.
Orangily | 📍 Indianapolis, IN
What makes a great NA / functional beverage bottle shop?
A great NA bottleshop needs to have a flexible setup or arrangement. Customer tastes change weekly. Availability of some products can be unpredictable. We need a space where we can rearrange the shelves and products within an hour or two. We also need a flexible space to accommodate workshops, yoga classes, and guest speakers.
What’s one of your favorite brands of the moment?
We are convinced that little fairies make the Five Corners Beverage Co. out of Chicago.
Pickleback by Five Corners Beverage Co.
What’s one tip you have for potential / new shoppers?
Sweet can be sophisticated. Don’t reject alcohol-removed Rieslings or Moscatos because you think they aren’t dry enough.
Discover all the world’s non-alcoholic bottle shops and booze-free bars with the Zero Proof Nation Global Map of AF / NA.
Zero Proof Nation Global Map
THC Drinks as an Alcohol Alternative: Two Founders Compare Notes
There is a real category between drinking and not drinking, and the people living in it deserve better information than they’re currently getting. Here’s what we’ve each learned.
By Pete Olander, Founder of Happie® Beverages & Laura Silverman, Founder of Zero Proof Nation
From Pete — Founder, Happie® Beverages
The drink I’m reaching for at 6pm isn’t wine anymore. It’s a 5mg THC seltzer — and the swap didn’t happen because I quit anything. It happened because something stopped paying me back.
I was drinking 8 cups of coffee a day, ending the night with a glass of wine to come down from it, and waking up feeling like I’d run a small tax against tomorrow. The wine-down ritual was load-bearing — it was how I signaled to my own nervous system that the workday was over — but the next-morning cost kept creeping up. When I started reaching for a 5mg seltzer instead, the ritual stayed intact. The cost didn’t. That’s the whole arc.
From Laura — Founder, Zero Proof Nation
My journey to becoming a Cali Sober beverage girlie definitely took more of a winding path than a straight road. I’ve been booze-free for close to 19 years, and for well over 15 of those years I didn’t want to alter my state of being. At all. I still had very black-and-white thinking about my own sobriety, even though I’ve been a staunch advocate for harm reduction, mindful drinking, and doing what works for you.
About two years ago, though, I noticed myself getting Cali Sober-curious. I wondered if there was a way I could incorporate THC beverages into my life in a way that felt authentic and still honored my sobriety from alcohol.
Once I made the decision to dabble in plant-based beverages, I quickly learned that not all THC beverages are cut from the same cloth. Lots of factors affect how a beverage might make me feel: strain types (D8 vs D9), time of consumption and onset, what I’d eaten and when. I also realized I could have a 5mg beverage of one brand and essentially get stoned (which I don’t love — it reminds me of that icky, drunken out-of-control feeling), or have a 10mg beverage from a different brand and barely feel anything at all. I still don’t know the perfect combination of factors to line up for a relaxed, unanxious vibe — which is why I gravitate toward brands that take the guesswork out of it. That dosage variance is perhaps the hemp beverage industry’s greatest conundrum: how to level the playing field when it comes to dosage and expected outcomes.
For now, I’m grateful I get to extend my Cali Sober-curiosity to discovering different brands. I love Happie because there are real options — a 5mg stackable experience or a 10mg one-and-done (for me), CBD in every can, and founder Pete Olander takes a rooted-in-science approach (ask him about living soil) to building a meaningful alcohol alternative. And if you decide THC really isn’t your jam, try Happie’s latest launch: functional mushroom-infused Fungi Fusion. Like I said — options.
Laura with happie’s Grateful Grape
From both of us
Two arcs, same conclusion: there is a real category between drinking and not drinking, and the people living in it deserve better information than they’re currently getting. Here’s what we’ve learned.
The Category Exists Because Something in the Consumer Changed
Wine consumption is down roughly 13% — and that isn’t a statistical blip (IWSR US Beverage Alcohol Forecast). That’s a generation deciding alcohol isn’t paying them back. Distributors know it. THC is the only growing category in their books, which is why hemp Delta-9 beverages are getting shelf space liquor brands can’t get anymore.
What Laura hears from the Zero Proof Nation community confirms what the distributor data says: the sober-curious, the long-time sober, the intentional drinker, and the newly Cali Sober aren’t a niche. They’re the leading edge of a broader cultural pivot. People aren’t drinking less because they want to suffer — they’re drinking less because they want more out of the time they used to spend drinking.
Why a THC Seltzer Actually Works as an Alcohol Replacement (and Where It Doesn’t)
Three things make a THC seltzer functionally substitutable for a beer or a glass of wine — and one big thing keeps it from replacing alcohol entirely.
Onset. Nano-emulsified Delta-9 hits in 10–20 minutes. That’s closer to a cocktail than an edible, and it’s what makes the behavioral ritual map cleanly: open the can, sip, shoulders drop. If onset took 90 minutes, the swap wouldn’t work. It doesn’t.
Dose precision. Every can delivers exactly what the label says — when the brand is doing it right. That means pre-batch testing, post-batch testing, and published Certificates of Analysis (COAs). This is the part the gummy and flower world genuinely can’t compete on, because beverages are made in required facilities under tighter QA than most other cannabis form factors.
Quality variance is the consumer-confidence problem. As Laura put it: 5mg from one brand can essentially get you stoned, while 10mg from another might barely register. Why? Some brands skip nano-emulsification (so the THC doesn’t absorb efficiently). Some don’t publish COAs (so the can might not be what the label claims). Some pack a kitchen-sink blend of other actives that change how the THC lands. The fix is to look for batch testing, published COAs, and a brand with a clear point of view about what the drink is for.
Where it doesn’t replace alcohol. Heavy-drinking social environments. Wine pairings. The ritual of a specific cocktail you’ve loved for a decade. Being honest about this matters — pretending a THC seltzer is a 1:1 swap for every alcohol occasion is how the category loses trust with the people most likely to actually adopt it.
What Separates a “Best” THC Drink in 2026
Five criteria, in order of how much they matter (we go deeper on these in our companion roundup: The Best THC Drinks in 2026: What to Look For):
Precise, consistent dosing. Batch testing and published COAs. If a brand can’t show you the lab work, the dose is a guess.
Hemp-derived Delta-9 — not a synthetic cannabinoid. The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp Delta-9 federally legal, and it’s the same Delta-9 THC molecule the cannabis plant has always produced. That matters because synthetic cannabinoids (Delta-8 and Delta-10 made via chemical conversion, or fully synthetic compounds) carry a meaningfully worse safety and consistency profile. “Hemp-derived Delta-9” is the trustworthy lane — natural cannabinoid, not lab-built.
Onset speed. Nano-emulsified, 10–20 minutes. Slower than that and the drink doesn’t work as an alcohol substitute.
Clean formulation. Low or no sugar, real flavors, no kitchen-sink blends of mystery actives.
A point of view. What is the drink for? Generic THC water is over. The brands worth your money in 2026 stand for a use case, a ritual, a moment.
How the Leading Hemp Delta-9 Brands Stack Up
All THC doses listed are hemp-derived Delta-9 unless the brand operates exclusively in dispensary channels. Fact-checked April 2026.
How to Choose for the Moment, Not the Brand
The smartest way to navigate this category is to stop asking “which is the best THC drink?” and start asking “what am I trying to do with this drink?”
Easing into a social setting without committing to a buzz. Low-dose social tonics — Cann at 2mg, Brez at 1.5mg with adaptogens. You’re sipping for the ritual.
Casual weeknight buzz, alcohol-style. Mid-range seltzers — Wynk, Cycling Frog at 5mg. You want to feel something but stay clear-headed.
Replacing the evening glass of wine with intention. Premium 5mg functional — Happie. Built specifically for the wind-down, with CBD in every can to round the edges.
A measurable wellness payload beyond the THC. Functional stack — Happie’s Fungi Fusion (Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi) with the option to combine with the Delta-9 line. This is where the category is heading.
Pick the moment first. The brand follows from there.
Where This Category Is Heading
What started as a sober-curious tip-toe is becoming a full cultural pivot — and it’s not about giving things up. It’s about people taking ownership of their health and wellness journey and deciding they get to choose how they show up at the dinner, the party, the after-work decompress, the weekend hang.
The reason this category is growing isn’t because alcohol has been replaced. It’s because the question itself has expanded. People want to enjoy time with their community — and they’re increasingly drawn to natural, functional ingredients that work with their bodies instead of against them. Hemp Delta-9 fits that frame. So do adaptogens, nootropics, and functional mushrooms. Watch for the lines between those categories to blur in the next 18–24 months: functional THC — with adaptogens and nootropics in the same can — goes mainstream. Dose stratification gets clearer: micro (1–3mg), standard (5mg), high-dose (10mg+). And the brands that survive will be the ones with real formulations, real testing, and a real point of view about what the drink is for.
What we both believe — two founders building from opposite ends of the same spectrum — is that this isn’t a fad. It’s a category alcohol used to occupy, opening up because the consumer changed first.
The most useful thing we can do for the sober-curious reader isn’t pick a winner — it’s hand you the map. You decide where on it you want to live.
Sources & Further Reading
The Best THC Drinks in 2026: What to Look For — Pete’s full roundup of the leading hemp Delta-9 brands.
The 5 mg vs 10 mg Dosage — How to pick the right Happie can for your moment.
Fungi Fusion — Happie’s caffeine-free, full-spectrum functional mushroom line (Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi).
Zero Proof Nation on Substack — Laura Silverman’s weekly newsletter for the non-alc and sober-curious community.
Zero Proof Nation: A non-alc drinks writer walks into a bar — Laura’s May 2026 essay introducing the Cali Sober beverage shift, with a closer look at Fungi Fusion.
The 2018 Farm Bill (Congress.gov) — The federal legislation that legalized hemp-derived Delta-9.
IWSR US Beverage Alcohol Forecast — Source for the declining-wine-consumption trend referenced above.
Pete Olander is founder of Happie® Beverages. Laura Siverman is founder of Zero Proof Nation. Happie is a sponsor of ZPN content. This piece reflects both authors’ independent views. Always consume responsibly. 21+.
5 of the Best Non-Alcoholic Stouts and Dark Beers for St. Patrick’s Day
It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day and that means reaching for a dark or stout beer. If you’re living a life with less alcohol, I’ve got you covered in my latest guest post for Some Good Clean Fun: a list of five of the best non-alcoholic stouts to add to your cart this year, and demonstrating there really is something for everyone!
Why are stouts such a big deal in Ireland?
The origin story* of what we now know as a stout beer takes us on a few twists and turns before landing in Ireland. We begin this lesson in un-drunk history in the UK, traveling back several hundred years to the Middle Ages. Then, “stout” meant “strong” (as in a higher ABV) and the word could apply to any color or type of beer: you could ask for a dark stout or a pale one, like an ale. Their common thread? Both would get you tipsy, and fast. Stouts were popular with olde English porters (i.e., the guys who transported all sorts of stuff by foot) because they were cheap, took longer to spoil, were mostly unaffected by heat, and were strong. So popular were they with porters that stouts took on a whole new name: porter stout. Large amounts were being imported into Ireland; so some guy named Arthur Guinness became a brewer (and maybe you’ve heard of him?). And while iIn England, people preferred sweeter milk stouts, but in Ireland, they tended to be brewed dryer and less sweet. Fast forward many years, and this is what is now known as the Irish stout.
What is a non-alcoholic stout?
A non-alcoholic stout is a dark, full-bodied beer that has been brewed to contain 0.5% ABV or less. It retains the rich, roasted malt flavors of coffee, chocolate, and caramel found in traditional stouts.
How is alcohol-removed from stout beers?
When making non-alcoholic stout, brewers either adjust the mash temperature to keep alcohol levels very low in the tank, or remove the alcohol after brewing through methods like vacuum distillation or filtration. Since alcohol adds body, many breweries adjust the recipe with specialty malts or add nitrogen carbonation to maintain a smooth and creamy texture. The result is a dark beer that delivers the depth and character of a classic stout without the alcohol.
And now, here are four non-alcoholic stouts and a dark beer you should try for this St. Patrick’s Day.
Best if you just want a classic Guinness without the alcohol
Remember that guy, Arthur Guinness? I think he was onto something. When you think of Irish beer, and especially stouts, Guinness immediately comes to mind. What I love about Guinness 0.0 (FYI - I’ve never actually had the leaded version) is how smooth of a pour it is, and we can thank the can’s nitro contraption for that. It’s been five minutes since I poured the beer into my pint glass and I’m here to report that there is still a foamy head! The power of nitro! The color is a gorgeous dark brown with a cream-colored head. On tasting, there’s some sweetness tempered by the bitterness, which is par for the course when talking about an Irish stout. Malty, toasty and roasty, this brew is both a splurge and a nutritional steal, clocking in at only 60 calories for the whole can. Thank you, Arthur!
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Best Dark NA Beers for Fall Vibes
Craft non-alcoholic beer is having a moment. Once upon a (recent) time, all you could find was O’Doul’s. Now, craft NA is everywhere. Here’s a look at some of the best non-alc dark brews (ports, stouts, seasonals) around for those crisp, cozy fall vibes.
Narrowing things down was a practically impossible task. Not even four to five years ago, our list would have been much, much shorter. And yes, O’Doul’s gets its fair share of grief, but that little beer that could, in fact, well, did. It was the only option available in the USA for almost 30 years until a small craft brewery in Connecticut launched in 2017. Athletic Brewing — maybe you’ve heard of it? Since then, NA beer is widely available across the country, ranging from large NA craft breweries like Athletic and mid-size ones like Wellbeing, RationAle, and Go Brewing to Big Alcohol providing options too, with NA brews from Budweiser, Coors, Lagunitas, and Sam Adams (just to name a few). Our neighbors up north in Canada are trailblazing too, with more and more Canadian NA brands (beer and otherwise) and if we travel across the pond, we’ll hit the NA epicenter. For those just dipping their toes into the adult non-alc world, the UK is really the heartbeat of no and low. Naturally, some British brands make their way to our list. But devoting time and space to NA in the UK is another blog post for another day.
So let’s take a look at these brews, sourced by yours truly and some friends in the NA community. These chosen few are a testament to just how far we’ve come with craft NA beer.
Ginger Espresso Beer-Tini, High Street Tonics
Go Brewing’s Street Cred Nitro Bold combines two of my favorite things: coffee + NA dark beer. Go Brewing out of Chicago is one to watch. I’m not the only one who’s obsessed.
Cheri Hammons and the High Street Tonics team chose this as their fave, and here’s why:
“We love Go Brewing’s Street Cred Nitro Bold. The smooth notes of espresso and cocoa make it a perfect fall sipper, and also make it a perfect ingredient in our well loved Ginger Espresso Beer-Tini.”
Ginger Espresso Beer-Tini:
1.5 oz Go Brewing Nitro Bold
1.5 oz Lyre’s coffee spirit
.5 oz High Street Tonics Ginger Turmeric Tonic
2 dropperfuls High Street Tonics Aromatic Bitters
Follow High Street Tonics on IG: @highstreettonics
Bravus Brewing Co.’s Oatmeal Dark got two votes from some pretty heavy hitters in the NA industry. Let’s see what they had to say about this toasty brew.
Douglas Watters, co-founder of Spirited Away (the USA’S first brick and mortar non-alcoholic bottle shop) and Dry Atlas, a non-alc industry and reviews-based website, says:
“Of the 16 stouts and 3 porters on Dry Atlas, I’m likely to grab a Bravus Oatmeal Stout. Like Guinness, it looks much heavier and more calorific than it actually is. A rich, velvety stout with notes of chocolate, coffee, and a hint of caramel—a comforting brew for cooler evenings. ”
Follow Douglas and Victoria Watters on IG: @spiritedaway.co & @dryatlas
Derek Brown, author of Mindful Mixology and co-founder of Mindful Drinking Fest (in addition to being the former proprietor of DC’s famed inclusive hospitality hotspot, Columbia Room) also raves about Bravus’ Oatmeal Dark:
“I love a good NA stout when it gets colder. This one is creamy, delicious goodness with notes of roasted coffee, caramel, and a slight sweetness. ”
Follow Derek Brown on IG: @positivedamageinc
Partake Brewing’s Oktoberfest is a Sober October dream and clocks in at only 30 calories to boot. Our Canadian friends are getting a lot right in the NA world these days, and Partake has been doing the damn thing for years now (maybe the first NA beer I ever saw at Total Wine and More).
I’m not the only one in love with this seasonal release. Tawny Lara, author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Releating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze votes for this brew as well.
“Partake Oktoberfest is freaking delish. Honestly, everything Partake makes is incredible. ”
Follow Tawny Lara on IG: @tawnymlara
Deschutes Brewery’s NA Black Butte Porter - and Untitled Art’s Chocolate Milk Dark Brew got an interesting combo vote. FYI, I’ve never heard of the former, let alone tried it, so please hold while I run to Deschutes’ website to order this bad boy (note: only ships to Oregon, Virginia, and DC).
Our combo vote comes from industry darlings Ian and Carly Blessing of All the Bitter.
“Honestly, we don’t drink much dark beer, but Deschuttes Black Butte Porter (non-alc) comes closer than just about anything to nailing the style. For a decadent treat we love to mix it 50/50 with Untitled Art’s non-alc Chocolate Milk Dark Brew.”
Follow ATB on IG: @allthebitter
MMM. I might have to try this combo and add some ATB chocolate mole bitters!
Athletic Brewing Co.’s Dark & Gourdy pumpkin ale is a natural fit for a fall roundup. Rumor has it the beer (which I’ve never tasted!?) has notes of chocolate, coffee, and obviously, pumpkin!
Olivia Sears, cofounder and CEO of BuzzCutt, a U.S.-based NA discovery app, loves this pumpkin ale.
“Athletic’s [Dark & Gourdy] is soooooo tasty. I was never a fan of fall flavor beers when I did drink, but there’s something about this non-alc one that hits different. It feels like the flavors are even more intentional. ”
Follow BuzzCutt on IG: @buzzcuttco
While we’re on the Athletic train, here are some of my own faves: Lodge Life, a blink and you’ll miss it release, this campfire s’mores in a can does not disappoint and All Out Stout, the year-round dark brew in Athletic’s portfolio. I absolutely love a stout any time of the year. I know it’s not just me. Right? Bueller?
Another combo vote here: Mash Gang’s Superstack, Lo Tide’s Check This Stout, and Untitled Art’s Chocolate Milk Dark Brew. I get it, I get it. It’s always impossible for me to narrow down faves, so I 💯 respect this submission. Also, we finally get some brews from the UK here (Mash Gang and Lo Tide).
Cristina Torres, founder/owner of the always bustling NA shop and social space, Bendición Bottle Shop, has good taste.
“My current fave fall brews are Mash Gang’s “Super Stack”, Low Tides “Check This Stout”, and Untitled Art’s “Chocolate Dark Brew”.”
Follow Bendición Bottle Shop on IG: @bendicionbottleshop
Speaking of Mash Gang, I finally got to taste the UK’s answer to liquid gold when I stopped at Generation NA in Lafayette, IN on my summer cross-country road trip. I fell in love with the low alcohol coffee stout and can’t wait to try Cristina’s pick as soon as I’m able. I mean, blueberry blackcurrant maple sour what!?!
Lo Tide’s Check this Stout out of Bath, UK gets another vote! I really do need to check this one stout, er, out. I mean, just look at that stylish can.
The team at Generation NA’s ears must have been ringing when Cristina at Bendición mentioned one of her faves. Rob Theodorow and his rockstar team are loving this dark brew:
“The honeycomb aroma up front really sets the tone for a unique and flavorful fall experience. 🍻 🍫 🍯 ”
Follow Generation NA on IG: @generationna
Atmos Brewing Co.’s Barrel-Aged NA Milk Dark gets its first vote on our list. But gosh darn it, I can’t find this one anywhere and that just makes me sad. Atmos, if you’re reading this, please send me some Barrel-Aged NA Dark please and thank you? 😇
Our friend Tyler McMahon of Instagram page @reducaholic is a fan of this dark NA sip:
“My current go-to dark is Atmos Barrel-Aged Dark, primarily because I like when darks take on more complex flavors and still stay NA. Good beer with many of the characteristics of a barrel aged dark, and I still have a couple cans left (Laura’s note: lucky!).”
Follow Tyler on IG: @reducaholic
War Chief Collection’s Handcrafted Hop Porter, Guinness Draught 0.0, Wellbeing Brewing’s Intrepid Traveler Coffee Cream Stout, and Eighteen Twenty Brewing Co.’s Stand Up & Stout are my remaining picks, knowing I can’t actually list every single dark NA beer I’ve ever loved — and ever will love.
PS: if stouts and porters aren’t your thing, check out this list of NA beer brands on ZPN. You’ll find lagers, pilseners, IPAs, hazy IPAs, sours, goses, shandys, weisses, and just about everything else. Love hops but allergic to gluten? Try hopped seltzers and teas — take a peek here.
PPS: Sam Bail of Third Place Bar in NYC thinks of a different type of autumnal beer:
“ My favorite fall beer is the Untitled Art Juicy IPA. It’s such an amazing hazy hoppy juicy gem, perfect for the golden fall weather. This was one of the first NA beers I tried when I stopped drinking and it made me go, “Yup, this is the way to go!””
Follow Third Place Bar on IG: @thirdplacebarnyc
There you have it. This was no easy feat, but someone had to do it. Happy fall sippin’, y’all. 🍻 🍂
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AF in Arizona with Sam of @forkintasty
Guest blogger Sam of @forkintasty takes us on a zero proof tour of Phoenix, AZ. Sam is known for her fun roundups of alcohol-free and dairy-free content on IG and Tiktok.
My name is Samantha (Sam for short) and I have been sober/alcohol-free since I was in my mid-twenties (when I learned that I reacted severely to any alcohol). I am originally from the Midwest (Columbus, Ohio to be more specific) and moved to Phoenix, Arizona about 6+ years ago. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Valley as there are many cities/suburbs to explore! I enjoy going to new restaurants and bars and most places are able to either do alcohol-free versions/mocktails of cocktails on their menu or take the creative liberty to concoct a delicious drink! It is so important to not place judgement on those who choose not to consume alcohol and now I believe that the sober/sober-curious/alcohol-free space is more wide-spread and accessible than ever in many markets/areas around the country.
I love that many places now offer just as beautiful and creative alternatives to cocktails for those who are sober-curious. Aside from only being able to have club soda and cranberry (or versions of this) and pop/soda/iced tea/lemonade, the restaurant and bar industries have created a new space for these concoctions to shine just as bright. I often find myself pleasantly surprised when menus have designated non-alcoholic/alcohol-free sections that boast creative, delicious and Instagram-worthy drinks! When I travel, I often ask restaurants and bars if they are able to create a mocktail/alcohol-free version of cocktails and many more now have been able to accommodate this request, which I am super thankful for!
Below are some of my favorite places that offer alcohol-free options in Phoenix.
Platform 18 located inside Century Grand (Phoenix, AZ)
Undertow located inside Century Grand (Phoenix, AZ)
KHLA (Phoenix, AZ)
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour (Phoenix, AZ)
The Rose Garden (Downtown Phoenix, AZ)
The Parlour Room/The White Rabbit (Gilbert, AZ)
Garden Bar (Phoenix, AZ)
Little Rituals (Downtown Phoenix, AZ)
Samantha (Sam for short) has been sober/alcohol-free since she was in her mid-twenties (when she learned that se reacted severely to any alcohol). Sam is originally from the Midwest (Columbus, Ohio to be more specific) and moved to Phoenix, Arizona about 6+ years ago.
Instagram: @forkintasty // TikTok: @forkintasty
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AWAKE: Awakening the Senses in Colorado
Update: As of February 2023, AWAKE in Denver, CO is no longer open. This blog by our guest writer will continue to live on as a tribute to Colorado’s first non-alcoholic social space and bottle shop.
When bon vivants decide to go dry or cut back, alcohol is just a small part of what they miss. More often, it’s that communal feeling of sharing a moment with friends or a loved one over a cocktail. Very few restaurants and bars have sophisticated non-alcoholic menus that sufficiently recreate that experience.
Awake Denver fills this void. Established in 2021 by Billy & Christy Wynne, their mission is to provide a “safe, socially-conscious space that aims to inspire peace, joy, and justice-making” in the Denver area. Awake’s regular donations to charities reflect that commitment.
It’s not easy to be a venue that has the right vibe at any given time of day but Awake manages to pull this off. A coffeehouse in the morning, a place to meet for brunch on weekends, a lunch spot during the week, and hosting fun, often socially-conscious evening gatherings all feel at home in this cozy space in the Jefferson Park neighborhood.
On a beautiful spring day recently, we headed to Awake for Sunday brunch and live music. I started with their signature Bloody Mary—deliciously seasoned and crafted. My husband sampled from their wide variety of beers. Everything from basic Heineken 0.0 to Lagunitas IPNA to Grüvi’s dark stout is represented here for beer-lovers.
What got me most excited were the bubbles! Along with a decent wine list, the menu features sparkling wines from Grüvi, Noughty, and SOVI. I couldn’t resist creating my own flight to sample.
For those who lean more toward crafted cocktails, their menu changes seasonally while also providing classics such as Awake 75, Old Fashioneds, and Margaritas.
The food menu is rather limited, especially for vegans. We had a burrito, hummus, and almonds. All were fine, though clearly are not the focus of the menu.
If I were to add anything to this space, it would be to up the warmth factor with a few more couches and plants. The space can feel austere at times.
The service is always incredible. You can instantly tell when someone is happy to see you when walked in. Even short-staffed, David and Megan made us feel welcome.
The most magical thing about Awake happened once my husband and I were settled and the drinks came. We toasted, took a sip, and let out an audible “ahhh” — just like old times. Those who have gone sober or are considering doing so often think these moments are gone forever. Thanks to the burgeoning NA scene, they not only live on, but are more beautiful and memorable than before.
Summer hours
Monday: 7am-12pm
Tuesday: 7am-12pm
Wednesday: 7am-10pm
Thursday: 7am-10pm
Friday: 7am-10pm
Saturday: 8am-10pm
Sunday: 8am-8pm
2240 N Clay Street, Unit 100, Denver, Colorado 80211
(Across the street from Jefferson Park near Empower Field)
Elizabeth Ross Hubbell is a freelance writer and yogi passionate about living a plant-based, alcohol-free life. In addition to co-authoring several books on instruction, she has contributed to Sober Curator, Vegan Life Mag, Tiny Buddha, Center for Nutrition Studies, and Alcohol Change UK. She resides in Denver, Colorado.
Website: erhubbell.journoportfolio.com
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To keep Zero Proof Nation the NPR of the adult non-alc industry, we need your support.
Donate here.
Inmoxicated - Bringing the Dry Bar to Wisconsin
by Nicole Nettell
Hi, #ZeroProofNation! My name is Nicole, and I’m here to introduce you to a new sober bottle shop and bar located in a state known for its historical connection to beer and overall drunkenness. This good vibes gem is called Inmoxicated, and I stopped by to get all the details you need!
Located in friendly downtown Racine, Wisconsin, Inmoxicated stands out in a good way.
With 2.7 regular bars per grocery store, we know that Wisconsin has no shortage of bars on most blocks. But what the state didn’t have is a dedicated sober space, not just an occasional mocktail menu or boring soda list.
Every year, Wisconsin lands in a top spot when a viral Facebook article crowns the drunkest state. And University students take pride when similar articles list the rowdiest colleges to attend.
For many here, heading to a dry bar might seem like a foreign idea!
But going sober is a thriving trend nationwide - with titans like Glennon Doyle, Laura McKowen, Ruby Warrington, Annie Grace, and many more leading the sober curious movement. It’s not just a short-lived social media trend, but a genuine culture shift.
Inmoxicated owner Shannon Goodman stepped up as a sober leader in her own community and broke the mold on Main Street. Her white brick shop stands out and attracts Wisconsinites who’ve been searching for alcohol-free options.
As one of them, I excitedly made the 40-minute drive from Milwaukee to check it out. Here is what I loved most about my visit:
Signature mocktail menu.
After a series of mixology trials and taste testing, Shannon and her business partner Jeff established their mocktail menu featuring ten custom creations.
A Wisconsin classic, the old-fashioned, with an aromatic smokey twist.
The best indulgent white Russian, topped with whipped cream.
A fun citrusy, orange cosmo featuring Seedlip and Lyre’s orange sec.
…just to name a few!
I was able to try the White Russian, which in my opinion is a rare find in zero-proof form. It was delicious and an inspiring reminder that we can do anything sober.
Try before you buy.
In addition to their mocktail menu, Inmoxicated carries a unique and diverse bottle lineup.
With tons of wine and ready-to-drink options, it’s the premier location in Wisconsin to stock up on booze-free favorites. You can choose from both local and international brands in one location. Plus, if you can’t decide what to buy, just pull up a chair and try the products for yourself!
Inmoxicated also stocks items like bitters and mixers to help you get creative at home.
Safe space for everyone.
In the back left corner, you’ll find a lock wall where visitors write their sober date on a lock and click it into place among others from the community. It’s a visual reminder that no one is ever alone in recovery! Inmoxicated hopes to provide a fun, positive environment for non-drinkers to enjoy friends, music, and drinks.
Visitors can even pick up a book about sobriety in the shop! I saw my personal favorite “We Are The Luckiest” by Laura McKowen on the shelf. And with a variety of seating options, you could get in a whole chapter while sipping a mocktail.
It’s truly a 5 in 1 sober experience.
Mobile dry bar.
This spring, Shannon, and Jeff’s handcrafted mocktails will be available in a full-service, mobile dry bar. You can find them at local markets and meet-ups serving their signature menu. Contact them to bring a unique experience to your next event!
Nicole Nettell is a sobriety advocate, copywriter, and freelance wellness writer based in Wisconsin.
Instagram: @sanitysips / @therecoverycatblog / @alcoholfreeinmke
Website: www.therecoverycatblog.com
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To keep Zero Proof Nation the NPR of the adult non-alc industry, we need your support.
Donate here.
Booze-Free Bar Road Trip Across the USA 🚘
Let's go on a Zero Proof Nation road trip across the United States and visit booze-free bars. It’s true, you can find non-alc cocktails and NA bevs on menus at hundreds of spots around the country (and world) but there’s something kind of special about a completely dry bar.
Hey, friends. It’s been a while. Happy 2022! The last time we met “on the road,” we had just visited NA bottle shops on the west coast. We continue our trip, in no particular geographical order, with booze-free bars. It’s 100% virtual* (ugh COVID / this would cost a load of $$*) but it’s also 100% fun. Guaranteed.
🚘 ⚡️
This is Zero Proof Nation.
*Would love to make this happen IRL. Should we do a Kickstarter to fund the trip? Combine a YouTube channel with the magic? Comment below!
Sans Bar
Austin, TX
📸 V. Quintero
Chris Marshall started the booze free bar movement. A former counselor for people with substance use disorder, Marshall started Sans Bar as a one-night pop-up in Austin, TX in December 2017 as a direct response to providing options for his clients, as well as himself (Chris just celebrated 15 years of sobriety). What started as a one-night pop-up turned into an every Friday happening and then national/international pop-up tours. He is The Godfather, the grandfather, the Papa of this new wave of zero proof / no-low, alcohol-free / sober bars cropping up left and right. If you’re ever in Austin on a Friday night, visit the OG.
IG: @sans_bar // thesansbar.com
Listen Bar
New York, NY
Listen Bar, founded by Lorelei Bandrovschi, is 100% virtual now (but as we can tell you, being 100% virtual is still 100% awesome). COVID may have been the cause of the pivot but from the looks of the cocktail classes, live events/workshops, and booze-free bottle shop, things are pretty bangin’ over at Listen Bar.
IG: @listenbar// listen.bar
Ocean Beach Cafe
San Francisco, CA
Owner Joshua James (aka Josh the Non-Alcoholic) is on a mission to change the world. After a 20 year career in hospitality, Josh took a break from the drinking culture and with this came mental clarity, ambition and drive. He used his experience, taste, and mindset to create Ocean Beach Cafe: a booming cafe, NA bottle shop, alcohol-free tasting tasting menu (SOBAR), and booze-free event space by the ocean.
IG: @ocean.beach.cafe // oceanbeachcafe.com
Umbrella Dry Drinks
Alexandria, VA
Remember what we said about Sans Bar being the grandpa of booze-free bars? Sam Kasten, CEO and founder of Umbrella Dry Drinks, is a graduate of Chris Marshall’s Sans Bar Academy workshops. Armed with a background in retail, three years of sobriety, and a bubbly personality and can-do attitude, Kasten launched Umbrella Dry Drinks as a month-long pop-up in Alexandria, VA (suburb of the DC metro area) and hopes to find a forever home for the concept soon.
IG: @umbrelladrydrinks // umbrelladrydrinks.com
Wildcrafters
Jacksonville, FL
Wildcrafters is one of the first booze-free bars after Sans Bar to hit the map. Founder Yhang Quintero launched his tea / kava / zero proof concept in January 2020. Pop by for a jazz night, grab a gorgeous cocktail or hot beverage, or grab a can of NA beer to-go — but whatever you choose, you’ll find community, beautiful drinks, and a stunning atmosphere.
IG: @wildcraftersjax
Gem Bar
Pittman, NJ
Gem Life Collective, the parent company of Gem’s bar and bottle shop (called a bartique), is all about wellbeing, soulful bliss, and delicious AF drinks. Founder Drew Davis is fabulous and on a mission to meet her customer base where they’re at on their healing and wellness journeys. As Liz Lemon would say, I want to go to there!
IG: @boozefreebar // gemlifecollective.com
Alt Bar
Rochester, NY
Co-founders Bob and Meg Hartman are all about the #sobrietyspectrum and want their space in Rochester, NY to provide options for people who want a social experience sans booze. Currently a pop-up (don’t miss Alt Bar at Pub Hub Coffee on February 25th), expect all the fun and noise-level you’d get at a traditional bar with none of the hangovers.
IG: @altbarroc // altbarroc.com
Bendición Dry Bar
Chicago, IL
Another Sans Bar Academy graduate, founder Cristina Torres brings a punk-rock vibe to her pop-up concept. Aiming to be a place for anyone taking a break from booze (whether for a night, a month, or life), Bendición Dry Bar takes an important stand: “While [we are] a safe sober space for all seeking one, we do not tolerate any forms of racism, anti-blackess, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, any forms of sexual assault or any forms of violence. Marginalized communities will always take priority.”
IG: @bendicion_drybar // bendicionbar.com
Binge Bar
Washington, DC
📸 Tony Powell

