The non-alcoholic category boomed in 2023, and the momentum is set to continue throughout this year, with SFA Trendspotters predicting that a bevy of non-alcoholic products will gain market share. Innovations in flavors, processes, and aromas have helped propel growth in the segment.
Following are buyers' recommendations for non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits making an impact in the category.
Mary Guiver, principal category merchant for beer, Whole Foods, Austin, Texas
• Clever Premium Mocktails, Assorted Flavors
• Giesen 0% Alcohol New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
• Lagunitas IPNA Non-Alcoholic IPA and Hoppy Refresher
• Mingle Mocktails, Assorted Flavors
• Sierra Nevada Hop Splash Hop-Infused Sparkling Water
• Wolffer Estate Spring in a Bottle Alcohol-Removed Sparkling
“In the past 5-6 years the ability for brewers to create non-alcoholic beer that provides the same experience as full-strength beer has grown exponentially; they cracked the code! Mouthfeel, flavor, and aroma are all there—it’s easy to mistake a non-alcoholic for full-strength, whereas in the past you could certainly tell. This new generation of non-alcoholic products are not your grandpa’s non-alc,” said Guiver.
Rosé Jon Freeman, buyer, Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, San Francisco
• Abstinence Spirits, Assorted Varieties
• Athletic Brewing Golden Ale
• Ceybon Happy AF Mushroom Wellness Drink
• Untitled Art NA Juicy IPA and NA Italian Style Pils
• Wilderton Bittersweet Aperitivo
Gil Censits, general manager, CoolVines, Jersey City, New Jersey
• Casamara Club Alta, Sparkling Amaro Soft Drink
• St. Agrestis Phony Negroni Non-Alcoholic Cocktail
• Wilfred’s Non-Alcoholic Aperitif
• Zero Gravity Non-Alcoholic Hop Fizz Sparkling Water
“While it’s true that methods and technologies exist for removing the alcohol from wine, beer, and other fermented and distilled products, we have found that the most exciting beverages are coming from creative makers who have expanded the boundaries of this category, and have aimed to create fascinating, epicurean beverages from naturally nonalcoholic materials and methods, using ingredients like teas, mushrooms, fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry, plum), spices, vinegars, even things like marigold pedals and pine sap,” said Censits.
Image: Chantelle Horn