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Meet Martin Dixon, our resident beer reviewer at Low No Drinker Magazine, who has meticulously tasted and reviewed over 1,500 alcohol-free beers and ciders on his Instagram page!

His expertise has not only fuelled the magazine's success but also mirrors that of the burgeoning alcohol-free beer market. Join us as Martin shares his journey through alcohol-free beer from the UK to Germany, France and Sweden, with a little stopover in the US for good measure.

That’s right, when Martin says Alcohol-Free World, he really means it!

It started with the last Dry January that Martin participated in and we start the discussion there with an earnest look at how we don’t need to have a sad story to want to reduce the amount of alcohol in our lives.

We touch on a lot of topics in this hour-long conversation, including, of course, ‘big alcohol’s’ grip on the low/no market and how some AF brands can and must do better!

And, of course, I can’t let Martin go without finding out his own BBQ-Q favourites.

It was an honour to have Martin on the show. His beer reviews inside each and every issue of Low No Drinker are as quintessential a part of the magazine as beer at a BBQ.

Settle in and get ready to learn a whole lot more about the world of AF beer.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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Take the Low No Drinker Personality Type Quiz

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What happens when an IT specialist and a nurse join forces to start making beer?

Meet Kristian Harris and Amie Caldwell, the delightful duo behind The Gentleman Brewing Company.

In this episode of the Low No Drinker Podcast, Kristian recounts his surprising pivot from IT to brewing, inspired by a transformative microbrewery course. Meanwhile, Amie reveals how her nursing background and creative vision perfectly complement Kristian's logistical expertise, culminating in six uniquely character-driven beers, each one a homage to classic and modern British personas.

We spend most of our time, however, with The Botanist, Kristian & Amie’s 0.5% ‘Function-ale’, and discover the demanding double fermentation process that has to take place to allow this non-alcohol, tea-infused, health-promoting beer to come to fruition.

The Botanist is infused with vitamins and hydrolysed collagen and is designed for those who seek flavour without the high alcohol content.

Kristian and Amie also discuss the challenges and triumphs of expanding their low- and no-alcohol beer selection and share their strategic plans to introduce more innovative brews in the not-too-distant future…

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Try The Botanist*
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They also recommend:
Impossibrew*

Days*

Three Spirit*

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About Low No Drinker
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Best episodes to check out next -

#24 Going international with Big Drop Brewing co-founder Rob Fink

#19 You don't have to be an alcoholic to want to rethink your drinking

The Low No Drinker Podcast is hosted by Denise Hamilton-Mace, the founder and editor of Low No Drinker Magazine.

Every week you can join me as I talk to low/np-&-light brand founders and industry experts about the people, places and brands leading the low-&-no-alcohol revolution!

Subscribe to Low No Drinker Magazine online or in print (delivered worldwide!)

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

Talk to me Goose! Tell me what you think of the show?

What's your low/no -&-light drinking personality type?
Take the quiz today and find out!

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Welcome to the latest episode of the Low No Drinker Podcast! Today, we're diving into a topic that baffles many: why do alcohol-free and low/no-&-light drinks cost as much as their boozy counterparts? You might be surprised to learn that there are several compelling reasons behind these high prices.

In this episode, I uncover the five biggest factors that drive up the cost of your favourite alcohol-free beverages. From the surprising role of alcohol as a natural preservative to the complex processes required to maintain flavour without it, there’s a lot more to these drinks than meets the eye. We’ll also explore the challenges small producers face in a market dominated by big brands with deep pockets.

I’ll be sharing insights from industry leaders like David Hodgson (Zeno Wines) & Roger Warner (Only with Love Brewery), who shed light on the technical hurdles and financial realities of producing top-notch non-alcoholic drinks. Plus, I’ll reveal the one fact about alcohol production that shocks most people.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re paying a premium for alcohol-free drinks, this episode is for you. Download now to get the full story and understand the true cost behind your favourite low/no-&-light beverages.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

Talk to me Goose! Tell me what you think of the show?

Take the Low No Drinker Personality Type Quiz

==============================

What if you could transform your social life and well-being without a drop of alcohol?

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Steph Elswood, the founder of Carouse, a cutting-edge non-alcoholic spirit brand.

Steph takes us through her journey from the vibrant world of musical theatre to becoming a wellness influencer and entrepreneur. She opens up about her recovery from an eating disorder to the incredible benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle that led to the inception of Carouse's adaptogen- and nootropic-enhanced spirits.


Steph shares her personal evolution as she recounts the pivotal moments that shaped her sobriety journey, from a transformative holiday in 2019 to overcoming the societal stigma of declaring herself a non-drinker.

Finding new motivations and a profound sense of well-being, learn how Steph turned her life around by embracing sobriety and how that led to the birth of Carouse: A lockdown-inspired functional spirit designed to accompany you whatever your mood.

Drift & Uplift are unique liquids that come with a unique backstory of trials and tribulations on their way to market. Hear how thousands of pounds and countless tears were spent in creating this drink (and my own honest review as to which is my favourite) and what disasters along the way nearly derailed it all!

But Steph is not just an alcohol-free brand founder. Among many other things, she is also the co-founder of Dry Disco, where, along with Sober Girl Society’s Millie Gooch, she hosts a spectacular sober clubbing event in London’s iconic Ministry of Sound.

This convo is jam-packed with sober-curious goodness!

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Try Carouse*
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Steph's YouTube channel

Millie Gooch

Sober Girl Society Handbook*

Nozeco*

Trip*

Kylie Alcohol-Free*

Dry Disco

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

Talk to me Goose! Tell me what you think of the show?

Take the Low No Drinker Personality Type Quiz


==============================


Ever wondered how a high school band rivalry could lead to a thriving alcohol-free beer empire? No, neither had I but in this episode, I chat with Rob Fink, the CEO and drum-playing co-founder of Big Drop Brewing about how a boyhood friendship (and too long hair) led to the birth of one of the most awarded AF Beer brands in the world..

Rob shares his unique journey from life as a 90s teen musician to the ever-sexy world of insurance law to spearheading the craft alcohol-free beer movement.

We talk about everything from the expectations of quality service down your local boozer to the choices confronting brands like Big Drop when it comes to global expansion.

Watch on as I blatantly disregard Rob’s great work by carelessly discarding his beers about my floor and join us as we discuss his own favourite tipples in the omnipresent BBQ question.

This convo is full of laughs, but we do touch on the serious business of how Big Drop, once partners to Alcohol Change UK, won a legal challenge against the alcohol charity and why Rob felt it was time for him to speak up.

From advocacy to collaborations to 40% beers – in this conversation, we cover it all.


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Big Drop
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Big Drop Brewing Co

Try Big Drop*


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We also talk about
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Adnams, Ghost Ship*

Erdinger, Alkoholfrei*

Brewdog, Nanny State*

Maison Sassy*

Botivo*

Drydrinker*

Wisebartender

Big Drop v Alcohol Change UK

Special thanks to our sponsor: We Recover Loudly

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

Talk to me Goose! Tell me what you think of the show?

Take the Low No Drinker Personality Type Quiz

==============================

It's one thing to launch an alcohol-free brand with no experience of the market or processes involved. It’s quite another to launch two brands at the same time. Yet that is exactly what Myth & Goat founder Colette Safhill did two years ago, and it’s been a wild ride ever since.

Colette’s multi-award-winning drinks are now synonymous with low/no drinking, and you can find Myth popping up on almost every list of ‘my favourite alcohol-free drinks are…’

Goat is an energy drink with a difference. Made with natural ingredients and a drive to serve the everyday person who just needs a bit of help to get through the day.

But it has not been easy. In this very frank conversation, Colette explains how she has put everything on the line, from her health to her home, to make these brands a success and is challenged at every step by the monopolies of big alcohol, red tape, and ‘old boys club’ guards at the door to retail and distribution chains.

If you want to know what it’s really like bringing a brand to market then this is the episode for you.

But don’t let those challenges fool you. Colette still has plans, big plans for both brands; listen in to find out what’s coming next for this international alcohol-free beverage powerhouse!

Colette shares her story, including the loss of her mother to alcohol at a young age and finding the love of her life and why she said ‘no’ when he proposed. There’s a lot to cover in the conversation. Enjoy!


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Myth & Goat
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Try Myth Coconut*
Try Myth Dark*

Try Goat*

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We also talk about
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French Bloom

Teetotaler Wines

Carl Jung*

Unltd.*

Mash Gang*

Heineken 0.0*

Guinness 0.0*

Special thanks to Shell at We Recover Loudly

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

Talk to me Goose! Tell me what you think of the show?

Take the Low No Drinker Personality Type Quiz

==============================

The 'moderating middle' is the mass middle ground in which 75% of the UK population is currently living, and yet they have the quietest voice.

Why?

In this solo episode, Denise takes us through the reasons why we don't hear from those who are regularly sampling low/no-&-light drinks alongside full-strength liquids.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

Talk to me Goose! Tell me what you think of the show?

Take the Low No Drinker Personality Type Quiz

==============================

Join me this week as I sit down to talk with ex-MasterChef finalist turned mid-range alcohol gin distiller Billy Wright – the founder of DECEM 10% Gin

In this open and honest conversation, Billy shares his incredible journey from creating a range of three 10% liquids to making the difficult decision to pivot his entire business plan and start again with just one drink.

Launching a new product in a competitive market is no small feat, and Billy opens up about the trials and triumphs of bringing Decem to life. From crafting a unique flavour profile that stands out to the strategic rebranding supported by investors, Billy's story is a masterclass in adaptability and resilience. We delve into the importance of understanding consumer preferences and the critical decisions that helped Decem capture the hearts of gin enthusiasts.

But the journey doesn't stop there. Billy takes us behind the scenes of Decem's refreshed bottle design, revealing the collaborative process with a New York-based artist to create a label that resonates with a predominantly female audience.

Tune in to hear about the botanical ingredients, customer feedback, and what the future holds for Decem Gin and how you can join Billy’s quest to create ‘The Guild…’


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Try DECEM 10% G1N*
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We also talk about
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Kore Drinks - https://www.koredrinks.com

Bottle artist, Meredith Schomburg - https://meredithschom.com/

REAL Sparkling Teas*

Shandy Shack*

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker