Adventures in the Growing World of Low-Alcohol Drinks

When I was a teenager, going out meant binge drinking—starting early and partying hard. While I still enjoy that from time to time, my body can no longer keep up as I get older.In my younger days, I’d wake up dehydrated with a splitting headache, pop a couple of paracetamols, and feel better by lunchtime, ready to go again that evening. These days, I’m a complete write-off the next day and don’t fully recover for at least 48 hours (sometimes 72). The impact on my body is pretty horrendous

What’s the Alternative?

Over the years, I’ve tried cutting back on alcohol with Dry January or by reducing my intake. It was easy when I wasn’t socializing, but when I met up with friends or went for an after-work drink, the options were limited—usually a fizzy orange juice or lemonade, neither of which were satisfying. It quickly became intolerable, and I often found myself making excuses to leave early.

The Drinking Revolution

But there’s good news! Over the past few years, the world of low-alcohol drinks has exploded. What was once a niche market has now gone mainstream, with major brands releasing non-alcoholic versions of their best-sellers (like Heineken 0.0, Peroni “Libera”, and Cobra “Zero”).

Even celebrities are getting in on the action. Take Tom Holland, for example, who recently launched “Bero,” a new low-alcohol brand that debuted three new beers.

This revolution isn’t just limited to beer—low-alcohol wine and spirits are also making their mark.

But Are These Low-Alcohol Drinks Any Good?

That’s what I’m here to find out! Over the next few weeks, I’m diving into this brave new world of low-alcohol drinks to see what’s worth trying—and what’s not. I’ll explore the flavours, costs, availability, and give you the lowdown on what I find. Stay tuned for my trials and tribulations, and together, we’ll discover if these drinks are truly worth the hype.

Wish me luck!