Explore every episode of the podcast U.S. of N/A: Non-Alcoholic and Mindful Drinking

Few people have shaped the mindful drinking movement more than Derek Brown. He's the Co-Founder/President of Drink Company and the Mindful Drinking Fest, the latter being the largest event of its kind in the country. A celebrated bartender and sommelier turned NA pioneer, Derek has since consulted on high-profile non-alcoholic programs for Dōgon and Hilton, and judged some of the world's most prestigious food and beverage competitions. 

Key Topics:

• Derek's path from bartender and sommelier to becoming a leading voice in mindful drinking.
• The most common excuse operators give for not taking NA seriously, and why he thinks many restaurants still struggle with their zero proof menus.
• What makes a world-class non-alcoholic drink, from a veteran competition judge's perspective (hint: it's not just what tastes good to him).
• How the industry can hold space for both moderators and the fully sober without collapsing the distinction.
• The rise of "proxy" brands redefining the cocktail rather than imitating it.
• How we can fully "normalize" ordering zero proof options, and become an established part of the mainstream.

Mentioned in this episode:

Drink Company

Mindful Drinking Fest

Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide To No-and-Low Cocktails (Derek's book)

We'd love your feedback!

Today's guest on The Quiet Pour is Vicente Ruiz, whose relationship with alcohol was shaped early by family gatherings well before he realized it had stopped serving him. Those experiences caused him to decide to stop drinking alcohol entirely.

In this episode, Vicente talks about what led him to sobriety, and how that shift sparked an unexpected career move — first helping NA beverage brands with distribution, then co-founding his own kava beverage company with a close friend.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lacuna Kava Bar (Phoenix, AZ)

Better Days Kava Bevs

Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know!

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Unless something changes, a looming November 12th deadline threatens to upend the entire industry surrounding psychoactive hemp. With such an existential threat on the horizon, we asked Dani Baranowski, Executive Director of the Florida Hemp Beverage Coalition and founder of Highspitality, to join us and break down the high-stakes legislative battle that will ultimately decide the future of hemp-derived THC drinks.

We explore the reality of a federal "total THC" cap, what lawmakers get wrong about hemp, and how these shifts threaten the rising crossover between non-alcoholic and functional wellness beverages.

Key Topics:

• The 0.4mg Cliff: The federal push that could decimate the category and whether an eleventh-hour fix is realistic.
• Educating Lawmakers: The biggest misconceptions legislators have about hemp versus traditional cannabis.
• The Three-Tier Debate: Whether regulating hemp beverages like alcohol protects consumers or simply hands control to a frequent adversary.
• The NA & Hemp Convergence: How a hemp ban directly impacts the wider non-alcoholic and mindful drinking movement.

Mentioned in this episode:

Florida Hemp Beverage Coalition

Highspitality

We'd love your feedback!

Today's guest on The Quiet Pour is Cindy Pokriefka, an avid (and accomplished) distance runner who re-discovered the sport in her mid-twenties, having completed six marathons in the past six years.

In this episode, Cindy shares her thoughts on how running helped her during COVID, why it's so important to mental health, and how mindful drinking has helped her be present in social situations without feeling like she has to drink alcohol. She also shares her favorite (and simple) sparkly NA beverage that anyone can easily create. 

Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know!

Referenced in this episode:

Ginger Gone Running Podcast

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Our next guest on The Quiet Pour is no stranger to the craft beer scene, particularly in his hometown of Chicago. Dave was an early adopter of NA options when the quality took a big jump a few years ago, and he likes to rotate them in with his full-octane brews.

In this episode, Dave shares his thoughts on why he enjoys talking about beer (listen to his podcast, Beer In Front), what's in his fridge, and how mindful drinking has impacted his drinking habits. 

Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know.

We'd love your feedback!

The occasions for non-alcoholic beer are ever expanding, but so, too, is the competition. Best Day Brewing founder Tate Huffard has spent the last five years working to build a brand to last. We dig into what's been the secret sauce to their growth, from the brewing process to the retail shelf, and what has helped them to stand out in an ever-crowded field.

We cover Tate's surf-culture origin story behind BDB, how the consumer occasion for NA beer has shifted since 2021, and where Tate sees the brand fitting in a market that's increasingly defined by wellness and fitness positioning, or celebrity fame.

Key Topics:

• The Founder Story: Why a group of surfers missing morning sessions became the unlikely starting point for one of the country's few NA-only craft breweries with national distribution.
• The Evolving Occasion: How and where people are actually reaching for NA beer in 2026, and why the answer might surprise you.
• Crowded Market, Distinct Identity: With fitness brands and celebrity labels flooding the space, where does Best Day's long-term positioning actually live?
• Cracking Retail and Hospitality: The misconceptions distributors still hold, and how close we really are to seeing significant NA variety on restaurant menus.
• What's Next: After the launch of Wild American Pilsner, what's ahead for this Sausalito-based brand?

Mentioned in this episode:

Best Day Brewing

We'd love your feedback!

For our very first Quiet Pour conversation we didn't have to go very far, and yes, there's a story there. Meagan Swingle (IG: untilallcanread) has always been happiest when she's outdoors near a lake or somewhere in nature, and in the past, certain social situations had a way of making her feel like she needed to be someone that she wasn't. 

In this episode, Meagan shares her current go-to NA staples (i.e. what's always in the fridge), opens up on changing her relationship with alcohol, and explains how a clearer head has low-key provided even more benefits than she ever expected. 

Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know.

We'd love your feedback!

 What does mindful drinking actually look like in real life? The Quiet Pour is a new audio-only series featuring short, honest conversations with everyday people across the country. From going fully sober to simply cutting back or putting healthier drinks into their body, each voice will share a personal perspective on how a changing relationship with alcohol, or embracing functional beverages, has shaped their health, mindset, and daily life.

These are not experts or influencers, just real people talking about what’s changed. More clarity, better performance, improved confidence, deeper presence, and a stronger sense of self.

This trailer offers a first taste of what’s to come.

Real people. Mindful drinking. One conversation at a time. 

Want to be featured? Let us know at nationbeer.com/contact

We'd love your feedback!

NA bottle shops have become an integral part of the moderation movement. After a creative career in video and production, Obreanna McReynolds and her husband Dean Peterson took a leap in 2024 to open what is now Los Angeles’ largest non-alcoholic bottle shop. In this conversation, we explore how Burden of Proof became a cornerstone of the San Gabriel Valley, moving beyond the binary of "sober vs. drinker" to create a premium retail experience for all.

We dive into topics ranging from the strategic choice of South Pasadena as a hub for the movement, to the complexities of navigating California’s evolving hemp-derived beverage regulations. Obreanna also shares her vision for the next iteration of the store, and how she curates a world of adaptogens, nootropics, and premium NA wines for a diverse neighborhood clientele.

Key Takeaways from our conversation:

• NA For All. Why Burden of Proof isn’t about condemning alcohol, but providing a sophisticated alternative for those looking to drink less, not just those who don't drink at all.
• Navigating the Functional Universe. Are customers more focused on flavor profiles, or specific physiological effects through botanicals and adaptogens?
• The Small Business Tightrope. Balancing the intimate feel of a neighborhood shop with pursuing growth amid shifting economics of the niche non-alcoholic market.
• NA Wine, Anyone? Why Obreanna sees this category as particularly poised for growth.

Mentioned in this episode:

Burden of Proof

We'd love your feedback!

After a corporate career rooted in fashion and media, Aplós Co-Founder and CEO David Fudge is now helping to move the non-alcoholic industry beyond simple imitation. In this conversation, we explore how Aplós is creating a sophisticated new flavor language using ingredients like yuzu, basil, and dandelion, designed to act as a lead in premium cocktails rather than a 1:1 alcohol proxy.

We dive into topics like the strategic choice of using THC-free, broad-spectrum hemp in their first offering, to how the brand’s serene, minimalist aesthetic serves as a much-needed antidote to modern, high-stress culture. David also shares a little about the Aplós roadmap for 2026 and his vision for a "bar of the future" that prioritizes intentional rituals over intoxication.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Lead" Spirit: Why Aplós was built to perform like a primary spirit in complex mixology, developed alongside mixology legend Lynnette Marrero.
• Function Without the High: The decision to lean into broad-spectrum hemp (0% THC) for its stress-relieving properties while (thus far) avoiding the psychoactive effects of THC.
• Cracking the Balance: A look at the R&D behind their spirits versus their RTD (ready-to-drink) cans, and which one was harder to break the code on.
• 2026 Growth: Scaling through "long-game" brand building and moving from DTC roots to a broader footprint in retail and Michelin-starred hospitality.

Mentioned in this episode:

Aplós 

We'd like to thank our sponsor, Go Brewing! Use code NATION15 to get 15% off your order on either their delicious N/A beer, or their THC brand, Easy Man. 

We'd love your feedback!

As the no-and-low alcohol category continues to mature and grow, additives and sugar content have become a defining battleground. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Colangelo, Founder and CEO of Nota Bene Flavors, to unpack what it really takes to build compelling taste in modern beverage brands.

Michael brings a rare blend of big-company rigor and startup agility, with a career that began with flavoring medicines at Pfizer, eventually moving to help emerging craft beverage brands that include Surely and Arlow Wines in the no-and-low space. In our conversation, we explore how the NA consumer has shifted from primarily abstainers to a majority of people who still drink alcohol on other occasions, and why that shift fundamentally changes how flavorists think about balance, texture, and expectation. 

Michael shares his insights on the growing scrutiny around sugar content, sugar substitutes like stevia, and ingredient transparency, explaining how flavor chemistry intersects with wellness, reduced sugar goals, and shelf stability. The conversation also digs into common misconceptions around preservatives and “chemical additives,” separating fear from function, and offering a practical, science-backed view of what actually matters in formulation.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nota Bene Flavors

Surely Wines

Arlow Wines

We'd love your feedback!

Workplace wellness has never been more visible, from mental health benefits to flexible schedules, but has it truly become central to how companies operate, or is it still a leadership side project? That was one of the questions we explored with Jennifer Moss, an award-winning author and workplace culture strategist, in our first episode of 2026. A frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review, CNN, Time, and The Wall Street Journal, Jennifer has spent her career studying burnout, happiness at work, and organizational wellbeing.

Our conversation examined how forces like AI, hybrid work, and always-on digital culture are reshaping employee health, often intensifying stress rather than reducing it. Jennifer shared why, despite significant investment, mental health and wellbeing initiatives still struggle to move from the margins into the core of leadership strategy.

We also discussed how the physical elements of work, from office environments to everyday nutritional choices, play a meaningful role in energy, focus, and resilience. And of course, how mindful drinking plays into all of the above.

Mentioned in this episode:

Jennifer Moss

We'd love your feedback!

January will mark our 2nd birthday as a podcast, and like most restless toddlers, we're really only getting started. But before we turn the calendar to 2026 we first take a look back at highlights from just a few of our favorite Season 2 episodes, focusing on the many founders we've featured sharing why they're passionate about mindful drinking. Here's seven of those founders / leaders, talking specifically about their 'why':

Laurel Harrop, Busty Lush

Lauren Chitwood, Spiritless

Ian Blessing, All The Bitter

Mark Ruf, NA Beer Club

Carl Radke, Soft Bar + Cafe

Gary Long, Botanical Sciences

Mary Bernuth, Pharos Brands

Special thanks to our sponsor, Go Brewing / Easy Man, makers of delicious craft beer and infused brews! Use promo code NATION15 to take an additional 15% off your online order.

We'd love your feedback!

When signed into law on November 12th, 2025, a bill ironically known as the "Government Shutdown Prevention Act," included language that would all but shut down the multi-billion dollar hemp industry, of which beverages are a major piece.

In this bonus episode we dive into seven questions that define what's next for an industry picking itself off the mat, and how consumers might respond. Questions we address include:

1) How will the hemp industry, accustomed to playing defense against state legislative banning efforts, shift their focus to going on offense? 

2) With November, 2026 as the timetable for the new restrictions, will that allow enough time to lobby the federal government to change course? 

3) Will a large number of consumers pursue a medical cannabis card to continue access to products they have become used to buying in traditional retail stores? 

4) How might this impact efforts to re-schedule cannabis from a Schedule I controlled substance? 

5) Will hemp beverage brands turn to other functional ingredients to try and fill the void? Ashwagandha, l-theanine, Lion's Mane and other nootropics have been promoted for their functional benefits, which aren't nearly as obvious as THC.

6) Are unhappy consumers likely to turn their focus toward legalizing recreational cannabis in more states?

7) How might this impact the overall non-alcoholic beverage space?

Want to comment on our LinkedIn discussion? 

Also mentioned in this episode:

Free Spirits Podcast (interview with HBA's Chris Lackner)

Gary Long, Botanical Sciences (past U.S. of N/A episode)

We'd love your feedback!

We know mindful drinking supports wellness and healthier choices. But has it also finally become something the cool kids are into? That was the question we posed to Sam Bail, Founder of Third Place Bar, who has been running pop-up events in New York City for three years. What's been different lately in her business? Getting calls from brands in fashion and beauty, wanting to feature non-alcoholic drinks at various industry and launch events. It's part of a broader trend of NA continuing to show up in places beyond the dusty cabinet where bars and restaurants used to keep the O'Doul's.

Mentioned in this episode:

Third Place Bar

Anti Hangover Drinking Club (Sam's Substack)

Where To Drink When You're Not Drinking? (IG video series)

We'd love your feedback!

A lot can happen in eighteen months, and we re-visited our season one conversation with The Modern Substitute's Myles Faulkner to discuss the state of the non-alcoholic category. In a follow-up to that original interview we talk about the rise of hemp-infused beverages, a continuing stream of celebrity-backed brands, and a mid-strength category that probably isn't getting enough attention yet. We also talk about some of Myles' faves, what he'd like to see from a hospitality perspective at the bar and restaurant level, and we end with a little global football talk less than a year away from the World Cup coming to North America.

Mentioned in this episode: 

The Modern Substitute (home page)

Asahi 0.0

10 Barrel NA Apocalypse IPA

Almave Blanco and Ambar

Tweedle

Lucky Frog Repose

We'd love your feedback!

Repeat entrepreneurs who have just entered their seventies, Pharos Brands' co-founders Mary Eggers Bernuth and Rhyno Stinchfield are no rookies to starting something new. They're equally unabashed in their enthusiasm for introducing fellow baby boomers to the benefits of consuming cannabis beverages.

We sit down with Pharos' Mary Bernuth to talk about what led her to expanding beyond a successful psychotherapy practice to enter the exciting, if unpredictable world of cannabis. We also talk about her passion for introducing that new world to a generation of her peers, and how they're investing in the category for the long haul.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pharos Brands

We'd like to thank our sponsor, Go Brewing! Use code NATION15 to get 15% off your order on either their delicious N/A beer, or their THC brand, Easy Man.

We'd love your feedback!

On the season premiere of ABC's iconic, entrepreneurial series Shark Tank, Dad Strength Brewing co-founders Ryan Kutscher and Craig Carey scored investments from not one, but THREE of the show's sharks; Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Rashaun Williams. 

In this bonus episode we replay clips from both our August, 2024 conversation with Dad Strength's Ryan Kutscher, and our February, 2025 one with Brandon Joldersma, CEO of low-ABV Arlow Wines. It's worth revisiting a trend that seems to be finding a middle ground between non-alcoholic and full-alcohol, as consumers look for other ways to moderate their alcohol consumption (or, "malternating", as Dad Strength's Kutscher calls it).

Mentioned in this episode:

Dad Strength Brewing

Arlow Wines

Surely Wines

Oceano Wines

Andiamo Brew

Full Episodes:

Ryan Kutscher, Dad Strength Brewing (released August, 2024)

Brandon Joldersma, Arlow Wines (released March 2025)

We'd love your feedback!

With a career background that has included stops at medical supply and equipment behemoth, McKesson, as well as executive roles at a variety of life sciences companies, Botanical Sciences CEO Gary Long knows healthcare. While his background may not seem like a traditional fit for the medical and hemp-derived cannabis world, his arrival along with other outsiders signal a transformation underway in a category becoming known more for its positive lifestyle impacts than for previous negative stereotypes.

In our conversation we talk about what led him to the industry, what he sees as opportunities and threats, and how cannabis has slowly become part of the growing health and wellness movement that continues to unfold across the country.

Mentioned in this episode:

Botanical Sciences

ONE59

Traktion Talks Podcast

Special thanks to Go Brewing / Easy Man for being a show sponsor! Use code NATION15 at checkout for either brand to get 15% off your order.

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When De Soi/Amass Co-Founder Morgan McLachlan was growing up in British Columbia, Canada, making booze for a living wasn't on her radar. But a love of botany and the alchemy of beverage making drew her in, and eventually she became one of the few female master distillers in the world.

In our conversation with Morgan we talk first about her journey into the world of alcohol, and why expanding into the non-alcoholic realm became a priority. We also touch on her thoughts of the burgeoning THC drinks scene, and how the partnership with Katy Perry grew from a potential investor relationship into co-founding De Soi together.

Mentioned in this episode:

De Soi

AMASS Botanics 

Photo Credit/Cover: De Soi

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As consumers turn toward functional beverages that don't involve alcohol, hemp-infused drinks seem poised to continue their rocket rise. But with growth comes challenges, not to mention regulatory headaches as legislators at the state and federal level grapple with this new industry. We attended the 2nd ever Hemp Beverage Expo in Atlanta to understand what's happening in the industry. Is the future of the category at the micro-dose level, or should brands scale up? What is the price tolerance for consumers? And how do you build a brand for the long-term?

Interviewed for this episode:

Angus Rittenburg, WYNK

Jared Emerling, Float House

Also mentioned/included:

BDSA (analytics for the cannabis industry)

Plift

Kick Fizz

Go Brewing (U.S. of N/A episode w/Joe Chura)

Easy Man

We'd love your feedback!

Best known for his ongoing role in the hit Bravo series, Summer House, Carl Radke also has a growing passion for the non-alcoholic space, with a desire to create an elevated environment where people can enjoy social beverages without alcohol. In our conversation, Carl shares his perspective on why the category is in dire need of proper places to enjoy these drinks in the social setting for which they're intended, and how that led to the development of Soft Bar + Cafe, opening later this summer in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. We also discuss what he's learned in his role with Loverboy, along with what other NA brands he admires, the burgeoning functional and THC drinks space, and what he thinks of the trend of celebrity-driven brands entering the market.

Mentioned in this episode:

Soft Bar + Cafe

Summer House

Loverboy

Athletic Brewing

We'd love your feedback!

An underrated foodie town with a mosaic of tastes meticulously crafted in Cleveland's diverse neighborhoods, thanks to a couple of local innovators it's also a city that now supports a burgeoning non-alcoholic scene. On the heels of our visit to nearby Pittsburgh we sit down with Molly Cheraso, owner of the city's first and only non-alcoholic bottle shop, Verbena Free Spirited Shoppe, and Emily Tanski, owner of zero-proof bartending and events startup, Drink Fleurish. Together they have also launched Santé Supper Club, a new culinary series that draws upon the vibrant food scene that exists in the community, changing the definition of what an evening of great food, drinks and community can look like.

Mentioned in this episode:

Verbena Free Spirited Shoppe

Drink Fleurish

Santé Supper Club 

Feed The Resistance 2025 Summer Series (from Santé Supper Club)

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Drinking craft beer is communal, a ritual meant to be shared amongst friends and family members. It is also often local, built around a shared community based on geography or shared interests. In today's bonus episode, we sit down with Mark Ruf and Tyler Keough, founders of the NA Beer Market, a new addition borne from the same platform that created the NA Beer Club in 2021. We talk about how the idea evolved from Mark sharing beers with his dad, to Tyler's passion for building community, and why they feel that's a gap in today's retail space they hope to fill.

Mentioned in this episode:

NA Beer Market (use code NATIONBEER to get a free Good Liar beer on us!)

NA Brewskey (IG)

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Who said local breweries can't do an NA beer profitably? And how did Pittsburgh wind-up with so much happening in the local non-alcoholic scene? In this Part II of our two-part series from the Steel City, we finish our interview with The Open Road's Mel Babitz, and the Loaded Food Group's Katrina Tomacchio (also known as The Northeast Ginger on IG), who talk about the local scene and what's coming up. We then chat with owners Mike and Jen Onofray of the city's Two Frays Brewery, with an update on how they've been successful making non-alcoholic beer a growing part of their efforts. Lastly, we hear from The Open Road's Hailey Phillips, who shares some news of her own on a first-of-its-kind NA Cocktail Week coming up this July.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Open Road

Loaded Food Group

Katrina Tomacchio

Two Frays Brewery

Jackworth Ginger Beer

Cinderlands Beer Company

Hailey Phillips

Pittsburgh's NA Cocktail Week (happening July 7-13th)

Forging An Inclusive and Sustainable NA Community In The Steel City (original Pittsburgh episode in June, 2024)

We'd love your feedback!

Nearly a year removed from our first visit, we return to the Steel City in the new location (and future lounge) of the longest-running non-alcoholic specialty retailer in the country, The Open Road. With so much happening in the local NA scene, we split our visit into a two-part episode. In Part I, we include much of our interview with The Open Road's Mel Babitz, and Katrina Tomacchio of the Loaded Food Group (also known as The Northeast Ginger on IG), who share their thoughts on everything from raising funds as a small business, to the growth in popularity in food and non-alcoholic drink pairings, as more people embrace and understand the category.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Open Road

Loaded Food Group

The Northeast Ginger

The Mocktail Mixer (happening 7/28/25)

We'd love your feedback!

Is the craft brewing industry in serious decline, or just in a state of transition to what it may look like tomorrow? We traveled to Indianapolis for the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo to get answers to that, as well as to better understand the broader landscape of beverages, including THC and non-alcoholic beer.

Interviewed in this episode:

Julie Rhodes, Co-Owner, Kick Beverage Company, Inc.

Jason Pickle, President, Volunteer Botanicals

Also mentioned:

Bart Watson, Brewers Association

We'd love your feedback!

After a hospitality career that included stops at some of the most exclusive brands in hospitality, Ian Blessing is no stranger to world-class food and beverage experiences. In this episode, we sit down to talk about how he and his wife, Carly, have built a unique, handcrafted product set around non-alcoholic bitters, a category that lends itself perfectly to collaboration. Using what he learned at legendary establishments like The French Laundry and the esteemed Opus One winery in Napa Valley, Ian's approach is to deliver that experience to All The Bitter's customers, leaning heavily on the community of bottle shops and small retailers that help them market the brand.

In our conversation, Ian shares his thoughts on paying meticulous attention to detail, focused on quality ingredients with a dash of created memorable moments. We explore how this goal shapes everything from product development to the overall customer experience in their new bottle shop under the same name, even down to the delightful toy dinosaur surprise in every shipment that started with their kids. We'll also get a taste of current offerings and some exciting news about a new flavor on the horizon. Finally, we discuss the parallels between creating a premium in-person experience with a compelling online presence, and how All The Bitter aims to blend these worlds seamlessly. 

Mentioned in this episode:

All The Bitter

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It's been quite a year in the U.S. hemp market, which is still just getting started. The explosion of hemp-derived THC/CBD beverages has, not surprisingly, collided with regulations that have come fast and furious at the state level. In an effort to make sense of it all we sat down with David Spang, Founder of Coastal Green Wellness, a hemp/CBD retailer with locations in South Carolina and Georgia, as well as a new line of THC beverages, Nine Dot. As someone who straddles the line between retailer and beverage producer, David has a unique perspective on the industry.

In our conversation we start with David's founder journey to starting Coastal Green Wellness with his wife, Crystal. Given the ongoing legislative battles involving hemp in numerous states, particularly across the Southeast, David also shares his take on the current regulatory landscape and why at least some of what's happening is a net positive for the industry. We also delve into his reasons behind launching Nine Dot, exploring how its emergence is influencing new consumers as they enter the THC category through the accessible beverage format.

Lastly, true to his passion for education, David provides important guidance for newcomers curious about trying THC, addressing common misconceptions surrounding dosage and effects, and emphasizing how the ability to absorb THC is completely different from alcohol. This episode offers a blend of industry insights, entrepreneurial experience, and essential education for anyone interested in the evolving world of THC beverages and the broader hemp landscape.

Mentioned in this episode:

Coastal Green Wellness

Nine Dot

American Healthy Alternatives Association

We'd love your feedback!

Craft beer's evolution includes a spectrum of new and mindful choices. This episode captures the vibrant atmosphere of the fifth installment of Little Beer, a festival held in Duluth, Georgia celebrating lower-gravity brews such as English Ales and Lagers. In this bonus episode we chat with industry leaders there who understand the need for a full spectrum of beverage options to meet the changing needs of today's consumer. First up, two members of Asheville, North Carolina-based Burial Beer share details of their various beverage programs, and their hometown's post-hurricane resilience. Next, Jon Eberhart of Resident Culture unpacks their thriving THC program, which along with their award-winning NA series, NARC, offers consumers a new set of options. We close with a brief conversation with Halfway Crooks co-founder Shawn Bainbridge, who goes into detail on how they made their Brevet Pils NA, as well as the critical importance of maintaining safety in non-alcoholic brewing. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Burial Beer

Devil's Foot Beverage Company

Zillicoah Beer Company

Resident Culture

Cumulo

Halfway Crooks

Chiber for Beverages

We'd love your feedback!

The origin story of Spiritless begins deep in Kentucky Bourbon country, where the trio of co-founders initially bought large quantities of Old Forester at their local Total Wine, while enlisting the services of a sump pump to help power their early experiments. Alongside her two other co-founders, Lauren Chitwood's brand journey dates back to before the pandemic, and in those early days they sought to craft a brand and liquid that would come to resonate with those seeking moderation.

In this episode we talk with Lauren on a variety of topics, including: 

• The company's role in the evolving landscape of drinking habits, and how they’ve always focused on appealing to those moderating, not just abstaining. 
• The "full circle" moment of seeing the product on Total Wine shelves after the initial Old Forester experiments purchased from the same store. 
• How Lauren and her co-founders are grappling with whether to enter the THC-infused beverage space, which brings with it many regulatory and distribution considerations. 
• The experience of being a female-founded brand in a male-dominated spirits industry, and why they would much rather talk about being data-driven entrepreneurs.

Mentioned in this episode:

Spiritless

Total Wine & More

We'd love your feedback!

While the non-alcoholic beverage space is booming, the low and no-alcohol wine category has had its own unique set of challenges. This episode features an in-depth conversation with Brandon Joldersma, CEO of Surely, and the Founder/CEO of Arlow, two brands at the forefront of this emerging space. In our discussion Brandon shares his candid thoughts on the low-alcohol wine category he's trying to help create, explaining the potential he sees for its future compared to the fully non-alcoholic side. We dive into the specific wine styles that are resonating with their consumers, and unpack the demographics driving this shift toward healthier drinking habits. We also try and tackle the crucial question of how the wine industry can better connect with Gen Z, a generation that is reshaping traditional wine consumption overall, or even if it should. Lastly, we explore the broader movement toward mindful drinking and a greater focus on wellness, the effects of which are felt across the full spectrum of wine.

Mentioned in this episode:

Surely

Arlow

Dad Strength Brewing  

We'd love your feedback!

While the hemp-fueled THC beverage category may be just getting started, it's been a more complicated path for an over-arching industry still waiting on perceptions and legislation to catch-up with consumer preferences.  Today's episode features a sit down with Ricardo Baca, named one of the 7 Most Powerful People In America's Marijuana Industry, and founder/CEO of a leading integrated communications firm, Grasslands. In our conversation Ricardo talks about how his journalism work helped educate the mainstream on cannabis, and where we are in the current environment with the industry essentially split into two factions. We also touch on what he's hearing on legislation at the federal level, and how that may or may not impact a THC beverage category that's currently taking off. Lastly, we talk about the future, and how the industry has really become one with the broader health and wellness movement that has shaped more mindful drinking habits.

Mentioned in this episode:

Grasslands

Fable Libations

U.S. of N/A Episode/Ben Kennedy, Fable Libations

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As mindfulness and moderation in drinking continues to become a bigger thing, so too are festivals that celebrate discovery in the non-alcoholic world, along with finding holistic wellness and community. In this bonus episode we recap our visit to Bluffton, South Carolina for the first-ever Lowcountry Dry Fest. Hear from the three principals behind this new event; Kayla Lewis of NAPS Chicago, Jessa Frances De La Rosa of Untoxicated World, and Jane Harmon of Amethyst NA Spirits.

Mentioned in this episode:

NAPS Chicago (IG: napschicago)

Jessa Frances

Untoxicated World

Amethyst NA Spirits

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While Athletic Brewing may today be known as one of the fastest-growing breweries the craft beer industry has ever seen, its origins were more deliberate and intentional, with a rollout strategy that stayed local for as long as possible. Bill Shufelt's founder story goes back nearly a decade, and in those early years he carefully constructed a foundation that would serve the company well as it emerged as one of the faces of a new mindset around adult drinking.

In this episode we talk with Bill on a variety of topics, including: 

• Athletic Brewing's role in today's evolving drinking habits, and how quality and culture are table stakes for the company.
• The 18-24 month process they went through to come up with the brand name (including what the backup name would have been had "Athletic" not been available). 
• The importance of Dry January in getting in front of a new audience, regardless of how consumers may choose to interact with the category.
• Which Athletic brews and seasonals Bill enjoys the most, and what's in his refrigerator at home.
• Advice for fellow NA entrepreneurs on the best way to achieve scale, balancing the need to learn from mistakes with a desire to grow quickly.

Mentioned in this episode:

Athletic Brewing
How I Built This Podcast (Bill Shufelt episode)
Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA)

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Entrepreneurial from a young age, Busty Lush founder Laurel Harrop has always been open to trying something new. Little did she know when starting a successful lighting recycling business that her next venture would involve creating a stylish icon of the non-alcoholic drinking movement. In our conversation, we talk with Laurel about a number of topics related to Busty Lush's first four years in business, including:

• What drew her into the NA category initially.
• Why being female-driven, owned and operated was so important to her.
• How the brand's personality and uniqueness has been critical to competing alongside larger players.
• What's next for Busty Lush, both on the shelf and behind the scenes.
• What new channels Laurel is trying to push the brand into in 2025.

Mentioned in this episode:

Busty Lush
Chambers Austelle
Recess

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How many beverage companies started by making their product in a 53' tractor trailer that traveled the country? That was the question we asked ourselves upon hearing the origin story of the Wynk THC-infused seltzer brand, which initially competed in the state-by-state regulated cannabis industry. In our conversation with co-founder and CEO Angus Rittenburg, we talk about where the brand started, how they have evolved, the ways they're navigating a highly fragmented (and increasingly regulated) category in terms of marketing and distribution, and lastly, how they intend to compete in a space that is only expected to continue explosive growth in 2025.

Mentioned in this episode:
Wynk Seltzers
Countdown by Wynk
Ceria Brewing (brief mention)
BERO Brewing (brief mention)

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In a category still getting its footing in the consumer consciousness, creating a perfectly flavored cocktail infused with THC/CBD is a task with many layers to it. So explains today's guest, Ben Kennedy, who along with his wife Kristen founded Fable Libations, a Denver-based brand in the growing hemp-derived beverage space.

In our conversation Ben talks about how his background in advertising and marketing helped him lay the groundwork for building a brand, and the meticulous process he and his team followed to create the right combination of flavors. He also touches on the challenges in creating a recipe not based on an alcohol counterpart, but a unique drink that requires consumer education and adoption. Finally, we touch on the many legislative changes taking place that impact decisions around distribution and product development, and what's ahead for Fable.

Mentioned in this episode:
Fable Libations

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How can a mountain town, hundreds of miles from the ocean, be expected to defend itself from a major hurricane? That's what the residents of Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains had to be asking themselves on Friday, September 27th, the day Hurricane Helene took a devastating path through the region.

In this episode we return to the story of our first-ever N/ATION road trip back in February. On that day we experienced the AVL that we know and love; clear blue skies, and a cold, crisp air that only the mountains can deliver. We happily strolled through The Marquee during that trip in the artist-haven River Arts District, also home to the Southeast's first non-alcoholic bottle shop, NoLo.

Fast forward to today. We sit down for a remote discussion with NoLo's new owners Jennifer and Jason Phillips, who had helmed the business for all of 57 days before Helene's arrival. In our conversation we talk about what the situation on the ground looks like one month out from the storm, which decimated an estimated 80% of the structures in the River Arts District, including The Marquee, as part of a wider impact to WNC. We also talk about the value of community in times like these, and how that has helped them begin the recovery process. Lastly, we talk about what's next for NoLo as well as the city after the "biblical" event. While the storm may have washed away the physical store, it hasn't dampened the Phillips' passion for serving the sober and sober curious community in their beloved town.

Links/Resources for those who would like to responsibly visit or support Western North Carolina: 

• VisitNC.com 
• DriveNC.gov (up-to-date road conditions and closures)
• Explore Asheville  (shop, support and donate to AVL businesses)
• Bright Barrel Brewing (fellow WNC NA business now helping to supply water)
• Jeter Mountain Farm

Recommended options to support the local community (from NoLo):  

• MANNA FoodBank - Asheville NC
• Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
• World Central Kitchen (still on the ground feeding WNC every day)
• American Red Cross North Carolina (home and disaster support for WNC)
• RADA Hurricane Relief Fund (River Arts District Artists, Inc.)
• Always Asheville Fund (helps small independent travel/hospitality businesses)
• Global Empowerment Mission Small Business Relief Fund (You Tube video)
• Rebuild Marquee Asheville (NoLo's original space, home to 300 artists) 

How to support NoLo:

• Follow them on IG
• Visit their website, and subscribe to Nolo News
• Visit WNC and stock your VRBO/Airbnb with NA. Let NoLo help!

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Cannabis beverages have exploded in the market, not coincidentally just as consumer preferences seem to be shifting away from alcohol. In today's episode we're joined by Lehua Brands CEO Sierra Elaina, herself a veteran of the alcohol industry having formerly held key leadership roles in sales and marketing for Diageo. In our conversation we talk about what's driving the category, how the cannabis industry is recovering from prior setbacks, parallels that exist to growth in the NA sector, and lastly, what the future of these beverages may look like.

Mentioned in this episode:
Lehua Brands

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If you've enjoyed an American craft beer over the last few decades, you've benefited from the efforts of our guest today. Keith Villa founded Blue Moon Brewing Company for Miller Coors back in 1995, which would of course become an iconic brand that helped usher in a new era of craft beer that we know today. His trailblazing efforts in craft beer didn't stop there, though, as he would start Ceria Brewing in 2018. Ceria is known for two things. One, launching a very early-stage, cannabis-infused beer. When they had to pivot due to being so early to market, they currently brew one of, if not the only, completely zero-proof beers made in the U.S. In our conversation we talk about what microbrewing looked like in the mid 90s, before fast-forwarding to the last decade in brewing.

Mentioned in this episode:
Ceria Brewing
Blue Moon Brewing
Brewing With Cannabis (book)

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The state of the (NA category) is strong, and getting stronger. Today's episode has a bit of a "state of the industry" feel to it, as I'm joined by Laura Silverman, founder of Zero Proof Nation, one of the most authentic voices in the non-alcoholic beverage movement.

In our conversation we first talk about her advocacy in the space, and how much has changed in the time she's been involved. She made a decision to go alcohol-free in 2007, well before the modern movement even existed. We then talk about the growth that's happening right now, and how that's both exciting and maybe a bit concerning with so many new brands competing in the same space, as well as the hemp-derived market that has really come on strong these past couple of years. We end by talking about some of Laura's favorites, and we ask her to weigh in on some of the language the media uses to describe the category.

Mentioned in this episode:

Bright Barrel
Go Brewing
The Open Road
Spirited Away
Sans Bar
Seedlip
CaliSoberMom
Dry Atlas
All The Bitter
Zeronimo
Partake Brewing
Uncool
Lyre's

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"The good news for beer is beer is a non-partisan issue." So proclaims this week's podcast guest, Brian Crawford, President and CEO of The Beer Institute, a Washington DC based trade association representing the interests of the industry primarily at the federal level. In our conversation we talk about the growth of non-alcoholic beer, including how BI views the category as a nascent one within the overall industry, with health habits and drinking preferences quickly evolving. We then dive into the hemp-derived beverage market, which has really taken off since the 2018 Farm Bill, with Brian giving his thoughts on it from the POV of the beer industry at large. Lastly, we talk about some of the Beer Institute's legislative priorities, which include a new program aimed at making draft beer more accessible by providing tax credits to all those who serve it. We close out our discussion with Brian sharing some great info on how people can get involved in advocating for beer in all its forms with their local representatives.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Beer Institute

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The phrase, "slow and steady wins the race" could easily apply to Portland, Maine's Kit NA Brewing. In a category largely defined by rapid growth and headlines around the ramifications of younger consumers not drinking like their older counterparts, this New England brewery has set out to build a brand that's built to last, with a focus on the product above all else. In this episode we'll hear about how Kit's co-founders started the business, their philosophy around growing comfortably but responsibly, how they view collaboration in a category not exactly known for that yet, and lastly, why mental health emerged as a cause they wanted to be a part of as a company.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kit NA Brewing
Austin Street Brewery

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It all started with two forty-something friends exchanging texts, and suddenly realizing they both were mixing NAs with full-strength beers for a blended ABV at the same time. In our latest podcast episode, we chat with Dad Strength Brewing co-founder Ryan Kutscher on defining a new NA-adjacent category of low-alcohol beers, how NA played a role in their origin story, why they wanted to be a part of the growing moderation movement, and what Dad jokes have got to do with any of this.

Mentioned in this episode:

Dad Strength Brewing
Atlas Brew Works

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Ted Fleming has been in the adult non-alcoholic beverage category since 2013, before many were even thinking about it. He founded Partake Brewing in 2017, but four years prior had launched one of the world's first online non-alcoholic e-commerce stores. Since that time, he has steered the Partake brand through an accelerated period of growth, and more recently, through an influx of newer players entering the category. In our conversation we talk about what Partake has prioritized in building a modern brand amidst transformational changes in the way people consume adult beverages, from merchandising to partnerships, to cultivating a sustainable community that can carry them into their next stage of existence.

Partake Brewing

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Non-Alcoholic beer is basking in the glow of incredible growth and significant improvements in quality and taste, but challenges that could threaten its trajectory remain. In our most technical episode to date we're re-joined by Reducaholic's Tyler McMahon, who helps us break down some of the most important questions facing the young category, such as safety and handling, profit margins, consumer cost perceptions, and the ramifications of an industry still very reliant on contract brewing. Our featured guest is Kevin Barnes, co-founder and Brewmaster of Beaglepuss Brewing, a veteran of non-alcoholic beer already having previously helped start Two Roots Brewing Company, an early upstart in the NA category. Listen as Kevin answers these and other important questions facing the industry today.

Referenced in this episode:

Reducaholic
Beaglepuss Brewing
TheBeerShamus.com
Ultralow Brewing (Facebook group)

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We travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for this episode, and sit down with the co-owner of Two Frays Brewery, Mike Onofray, and the owner of The Open Road, Mel Babitz. The two businesses have forged a partnership with a series of unique collaborations that have helped bring non-alcoholic beer and beverages to their Pittsburgh community. In our conversation we talk about how they each got started, why the LGBTQ community has been so far in front of the NA movement, what inclusiveness means to the category, and how a smaller brewery that primarily makes full-alcohol beer like Two Frays can drive meaningful revenue from leaning into a non-alcoholic program.

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In the second stop of our summer road trip series, we take a visit to Naperville, Illinois, home of the taproom and brewery for Go Brewing, and sit down with Co-Founder and CEO, Joe Chura. The brewery has been on a whirlwind of growth since launching from Joe's garage two years ago, and we get his perspective on why he started an NA brewery, his philosophy on taking chances in business having previously started other companies, and what he sees as the future and opportunity not only for Go, but for the category as a whole.

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Residing in one of the smallest markets in the country currently supporting an AF bottle shop, Lafayette, Indiana's Generation NA has become a leader in the non-alcoholic beverage movement. In this episode, owner Rob Theodorow shares his founder story, including who is primarily coming into the store, and how each generation has its own expectations and attitudes toward the growing category. He also talks about the ways in which he's built the store experience around the premise of functional drinks, and how that positioning away from one-to-one replacements for alcoholic beverages has  helped change the conversation when people walk into his store.

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