Bicycle Beer. For This Time of Year.

Wotcha!

I’ve really enjoyed hearing from a handful of you over the last couple of weeks. Please keep the emails coming—they make this newsletter feel far more like a conversation and far less like me typing into cyberspace.

Enjoy some great drinks this week!

Cheers,

Myles

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

BEER
Athletic Brewing - Fruited Fields

WIN
Woody’s - Blanc De Blanc

Read time: 5 minutes 28 seconds

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WINE: Highly regarded winemaker Oceano Zero has launched its 2024 vintage Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, both sourced from Spanish Springs Vineyard in San Luis Obispo. (Link)

WINE: South African wine producer J Folk has introduced two new non-alcoholic kosher varietals in a number of U.S. states. Look out for Unwine Red and Unwine Sparkling White. (Link)

COCKTAILS: CleanCo is now taking orders for its four new RTD cocktails. (Link)

FUNCTIONAL: In Virginia, The Haymaker Collective has debuted with a low-dose, hemp-infused lemon ginger Switchel. (Link)

CIDER: Over in the UK, Dorset cider maker Isaac has launched Weightless. (Link)

SPIRITS: Also in the UK, new British gin house, Genovés, has introduced a premium non-alcoholic Gin & Tonic in both 750ml bottles and RTD cans. (Link)

WINE: Austrian alcohol-free winemaker Zeronimo has launched its first Rosé and the second edition of Century Blend in Europe and the UK. (Link)

BEER: Perhaps not one for the geographically challenged, here's a new release from Boston Brewing Company in Denmark, Western Australia: Little Wren Tropical IPA. (Link)

BEER

ModSub thoughts: Last week's shandy releases from Bero reminded me of their far more popular cousin, the Radler, and it made me wonder why the German version has become so much more popular than the English one. Perhaps it's because the Germans embraced the idea of a lower-alcohol options, whereas English culture has often treated the beer-and-lemonade combination with contempt. I always loved them personally, and perhaps that was a portent of the changes to come later in life.

Recipes for the German version have been knocking about since the early twentieth century, if not longer, but according to legend, it was Bavarian innkeeper Franz Xaver Kugler who made the drink popular. Faced with an onslaught of thousands of cyclists passing by his tavern and fearful of running out of beer, Kugler mixed pilsner with lemon soda to stretch his inventory and accommodate demand. It caught on, and cyclists began to see the appeal of a low-alcohol daytime beer that refreshed and rehydrated after a long ride.

So the Radlermass was born, combining Radler, German for "cyclist," with Mass, the name for the traditional one-litre serving. Over time, the soda side of the 50/50 mix has evolved from the traditional lemon to include lime, orange, blood orange and, perhaps most famously, thanks to the Stiegl Brewery, grapefruit.

A few weeks back, Athletic Brewing released Fruited Fields, a limited-run Radler created to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. It's a pretty splendid beer if you like a fruity number, which, on occasion, I do. The raspberry brings a sweet, mildly herbal tartness. The white grapefruit scoops up that tartness taking it to another level and adding a tangy, crisp bitterness. The blueberries contribute a little sweetness, but frankly, they get a bit lost for me. Still, it doesn't matter because the other two fruits more than carry the load.

I'm happy to report that Athletic have nailed it with Fruited Fields. If you fancy a non-alcoholic Radler this summer, or simply want something a little more intriguing than a regular lager, this is one worth checking out.

How Athletic Brewing describes Fruited Fields: Fruited Fields is a Radler-style brew that’s nothing short of revolutionary. This patriotic pour brings together the flavors and feeling of the American countryside, open and inviting with plenty of time to take things slow. Lush berry aromas and a twist of white grapefruit give each sip a clean, refreshing sweetness. The brew stays bright for long stretches under the sun or settling into a warm evening under the stars, wherever in the world you are. Crafted especially for our nation’s 250th birthday. Fill your fridge before the fireworks start!

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WINE

ModSub thoughts: A couple of years back, when I was greener about non-alcoholic drinks than I am now, I visited Club Soda in London. Some of you will remember that issue. One of my abiding memories of that visit was the level of excitement I felt at finding a bottle of Dr. Zero Zero and proudly bringing it back, wrapped protectively in my carry-on, only to discover it was made in Brooklyn and that I could have ordered it from the comfort of my couch.

So too, on a recent trip to Toronto, I excitedly picked up a bottle of Woody’s Blanc de Blanc, thinking I’d scored a hard-to-find Canadian non-alcoholic gem, only to find it’s made just south of me in California. I’ll clutch at straws and at least applaud my consistency, even if it is for making mistakes. But hey, I never said I knew everything!

Woody Hambrecht pretty much lives and breathes wine. He’s a third-generation California winemaker, and his entrepreneurial projects within the industry run so deep that it would take two or three issues to cover them all. But a chance meeting with fellow entrepreneur, Justin Kan, led the pair to form not just one but two non-alcoholic wine companies—Woody’s and the French non-alcoholic Champagne house, Le Petite Victoire.

Woody’s comes in two varietals: a sparkling Rosé and the Blanc de Blanc I have in front of me. Made from Californian organic Chardonnay grapes, this Blanc de Blanc has a bold depth to it, with notes of apple and peach that are a little more stewed than fresh-from-the-fruit-stand. There’s a hint of grass and a minerality that’s tricky to describe, but I’m going to call it a touch of saltiness, finishing with a delicate tang at the back of the mouth. Combined, it creates a robust, though not heavy, white with gentle bubbles. I can see why The Guardian named it one of the 13 best non-alcoholic wines available in the U.S. in 2026.

I do love it when I open a non-alcoholic drink and it far exceeds my expectations—especially when it’s a wine. Woody’s Blanc de Blanc is a splendid option to explore this summer. And if this white is this good, the sparkling Rosé is probably worth your time and money too.

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How Woody’s describes Blanc De Blanc: Woody's Blanc de Blanc offers the elegance of a classic sparkling wine without the alcohol. Made from locally sourced California Chardonnay, this nonalcoholic beverage is perfect for those seeking a sophisticated alternative that still delivers on taste and celebration.

* Regarding the calories and sugar content, I found conflicting information or I wasn’t understanding correctly. One of the two. Anyway, rather than mislead you I suggest doing your own research to feel comfortable with your findings.

EXTRA READS

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• Blog thumbnail photo credit: 대정 김