U.S. of N/A: Non-Alcoholic and THC Drinks
The U.S. of N/A podcast series is about the people and places putting non-alcoholic drinks and related alcohol-alternatives on the map, one crafted sip at a time. In each episode we'll sit down with founders who are helping raise the quality, profile, and accessibility of non-alcoholic beer, wine, spirits, and THC infused drinks. Brought to you by N/ATION Collaborative, LLC.
S2 E6 · Wed, April 09, 2025
Unlocking Hemp's Potential In A Shifting Landscape
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!
Bonus · Mon, March 31, 2025
Little Beer V: Celebrating Low-Gravity Drinking
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!
S2 E5 · Wed, March 19, 2025
From Kentucky Bourbon Country To Your Home Bar: The Spiritless Story
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!
S2 E4 · Wed, March 05, 2025
The Mindful Merlot: Navigating Low And No Alcohol Wines
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!
S2 E3 · Thu, February 13, 2025
Bridging The Cannabis Divide Toward A Sustainable Future
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 We'd love your feedback!
Bonus · Wed, February 05, 2025
Lowcountry Dry Fest: Redefining Wellness & Community
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 We'd love your feedback!
S2 E2 · Tue, January 28, 2025
Built To Last: Athletic Brewing's Foundation Of Quality And Culture
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) We'd love your feedback!
S2 E1 · Thu, January 16, 2025
Branding and Bootstrapping: The Story of Busty Lush
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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E22 · Tue, December 10, 2024
From Road To Retail, The Story Of Wynk
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) We'd love your feedback!
S1 E21 · Wed, November 20, 2024
Crafting The Perfect Cannabis Cocktail
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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E20 · Mon, November 04, 2024
Asheville's NoLo Charts A Sobering Climb From Helene's Devastation
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.) <a href='http
S1 E19 · Wed, October 16, 2024
Cannabis Beverages: Growing A House Of Brands
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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E18 · Thu, October 03, 2024
From Hops To Hemp: A Craft Beer Pioneer
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) We'd love your feedback!
S1 E17 · Wed, September 18, 2024
The Past, Present & Future of Non-Alc
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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E16 · Tue, September 10, 2024
Hop Politics: The Evolving Business Of Beer
"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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E15 · Wed, August 28, 2024
Crafting A Non-Alcoholic Brewery For The Long Haul
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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E14 · Mon, August 19, 2024
Creating A Dad-Powered Moderation Movement
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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E13 · Fri, August 09, 2024
Building An NA Brand Through Partnerships & Community
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 We'd love your feedback!
S1 E12 · Tue, July 30, 2024
The Science Behind The Suds: Pulling Back The Curtain On A Nascent Industry
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) We'd love your feedback!
S1 E11 · Tue, July 09, 2024
Forging An Inclusive And Sustainable NA Community In The Steel City
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. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E10 · Wed, June 19, 2024
From Prairie To Planet: How Go Brewing Reset Their NA Sights
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. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E9 · Wed, June 12, 2024
Propelling The NA Revolution From America's Heartland
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. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E8 · Tue, May 28, 2024
Non-Alcoholic Beer In The Windy City: Prelude To A Road Trip
In this episode, we sit down with Chicago craft beer savant turned podcaster, Dave Zalatoris, host of the popular Chicago podcast Beer In Front (part of the OddPods Media Network ). In our conversation we talk about the craft beer scene in the Windy City, how N/A fits into that vibe, as well as Dave’s thoughts on how non-alcoholic options there are growing, and what we’d all like to see for that to happen a little faster. We end with him sharing his own recipe for flavored hop water, perfected after some trial and error, which is as follows: 1/2 gallon water 1/2 ounce of hops (Dave recommends lemon drop for a citrusy flavor) Steep overnight, with a touch of citric acid, brewers yeast Carbonate in a refrigerator/mini-keg Those getting an extended shout-out in this episode include: Go Brewing Pilot Project Brewing Mash Gang We'd love your feedback!
S1 E7 · Thu, May 16, 2024
Non-Alcoholic Beer Notebook: Finding Good N/A Options In The Wild
In this Notebook episode we sit down with our friend Chi Jennings, known on Instagram as mysoberaflife , a fervent fan of non-alcoholic drinks of all stripes. We talk about her strategy for finding N/A beverages while traveling, her thoughts on Chicago's Pilot Project Brewing, favorite non-alcoholic retail spots in NYC (who knew bodegas were such a big part of the revolution?), and lastly, some of her current favorite near beers. Also mentioned in this episode: nonalcjack We'd love your feedback!
S1 E6 · Tue, April 30, 2024
Decoding The Dry Beer Movement: Launching An N/A Brand Around The Consumer
In this episode we sit down with Momentum Brewery and ProofNoMore’s co-owner Lars Dahlhaus to better understand the non-alcoholic beer category, where it may be headed, and how he’s working to build a brand around the ‘why’ and ‘where’ consumers are drinking the product. As the category continues to mature, understanding these motivations will be critical to finding success, and creating more brands for N/A drinkers to enjoy. Lars' many beverage experiences include bringing the Rothaus Beers from Bavaria to the U.S., and later launching Crabbie's Ginger beer for St. Killian. In our conversation Lars talks about some of the differences between the German and U.S. beer markets, his thoughts on branding and packaging (including how that may influence the consumer), as well as why Momentum would like to partner with smaller, local breweries to help them offer an N/A beer in their taprooms. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E5 · Wed, April 17, 2024
Everything in Moderation? The Intersection Of Craft N/A & Little Beers
We set out to explore the middle ground between N/A and the big, boozy imperials and extra-hopped beers that helped make American craft beer famous, and figure out if it offered any clues as to where non-alcoholic beer could be headed. While IPAs and the like aren’t going anywhere, in the traditional brewing world there’s undoubtedly been a movement toward lower gravity lagers, pilsners, English ales and related styles that dare to come in at 5% ABV or lower, at least inching a bit closer to their under .5% counterparts. We start our episode sitting down with the creator of Duluth, Georgia’s Little Beer Festival, having recently celebrated its 4th iteration this month. Todd DiMatteo is also the owner/brewer of Good Word Brewing & Public House, which itself focuses on these low gravity styles. Similar to a few other festivals that have popped up in recent years to focus on lighter brews, Little Beer offers festival-goers the opportunity to sample hordes of beers that won’t knock you over with alcohol, which may go against some perceptions of a beer festival. At the event we also talk with brewers and experts from Lupulin Brewing, Wren House Brewing, and The Whale Craft Beer Collective. All shared their own perspectives of non-alcoholic beer, where and how it’s going for them, and whether there may be an intersection of these movements within an overall trend toward moderation in craft beer consumption. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E4 · Thu, April 04, 2024
Non-Alcoholic Beer Notebook, With The Modern Substitute
In our first N/A beer notebook episode, we're joined by Myles Faulkner of The Modern Substitute, an informative newsletter featuring weekly recommendations of N/A beers, wines and spirits. In this episode Myles and I talk about the rising non-alcoholic scene in the Pacific Northwest, expansions with Partake Brewing and Kit NA Brewing, a quick dive into what we're drinking, and lastly, with both of us being fans of the beautiful game, we end with a discussion around the parallels between the growth of N/A and the game of soccer in the U.S. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E3 · Tue, March 19, 2024
Why Your Local Brewery Will Be The N/A Revolution's Next Catalyst
While thus far the non-alcoholic brewing space has been dominated by Big Beer, Athletic Brewing, and dozens of other N/A-only brewers, the N/A movement is now showing up in local breweries around the country. In this episode we chat with our friend Tyler McMahon of Reducaholic on what's happening in this important part of the category, which breweries are already leading, what may be holding back others from jumping in, and why all of this is so important to the category's long-term growth. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E2 · Sat, February 24, 2024
Can Asheville's Growing N/A Movement Tap Into Its Craft Brewing Success?
In our first-ever N/ATION road trip, we headed to the mountain mecca of craft beer in the east, Asheville, North Carolina. In this two-part episode we first chatted with Jason Pedrick, owner of NoLo, Asheville's non-alcoholic bottle shop that was the first of its kind to open in the Southeast in 2021. In our conversation Jason gave us his perspective on the N/A movement in the city, where bottle shops like his may fit into future growth in the category, and what participation he'd love to see from the craft beer community locally. In the second-part of our episode we sat down with Doug Reiser, COO and Co-Founder of Burial Beer, Asheville's first (and currently only) local brewery to produce an N/A beer. Doug explained why Burial felt it was a priority to get into N/A, what it's done for both their customers and employees, and his thoughts on the role Asheville might play in the movement going forward. We'd love your feedback!
S1 E1 · Thu, February 01, 2024
Johnny Atmosphere & The Psychology Of Non-Alcoholic Drinking
In our inaugural episode we sit down with Atmosphere Brewery's Jonathan Zimmerman, known in some circles as Johnny Atmosphere, who shares his founder story around why he decided to launch a 0.0% ABV N/A beer brand in partnership with a 400 year-old German brewery, and how a silver sequin jacket and hat have become the perfect accessories to making the category more approachable. He also shares his thoughts on the various types of consumers he meets at Atmosphere sampling events, and what influence the European approach to drinking culture might have on the U.S. as the space continues to evolve. We'd love your feedback!
loading...