NAN

Nonalcoholic News my Nan would approve of!

• 🥃 SPIRIT: A new kava-infused functional spirit has just been launched by Kava Haven. (link)

• 🏆 AWARDS: The 2024 World Alcohol Free Awards results have just been announced. (link)

• 🍺 BEER: Upline Brewing have just relaunched their Golden and IPA with a new design and pricing. (link)

• 🥃 SPIRIT: New kids on the block, Almave are days from releasing Blanco. (link)

• 🍺 HOP WATER: Straight Outta Alcohol is the latest release from Go Brewing. (link)

• 🍺 BEER: The newest, in a seemingly weekly new beer introduction from Uncool Brewing, is Coconut Cream Pie! (link)

ON THE BAR

In each edition of The Modern Substitute, ON THE BAR focuses on three drinks you should be on the look out for. We’ll give you a quick rundown of our thoughts on the drink, who makes it, where to buy it or, in the case of mocktails, how to make it.

Please note: due to popularity or limited runs, some drinks may be out of stock - please check with the beverage companies for updates.

SOUTHERN GRIST BREWING COMPANY - COMPANY PILS

• Nashville, TN

• Calories: 98

• Sugar: Unknown

• Serving: 16 fl.oz.

• ABV: <0.5%

• Buy: Check you local bottle shops • available at online stores - get it while you can!

• Price: $11-$13 for a 6-pack

The ModSub thoughts: In 2016, three homebrewers embarked on a brave journey, leaving their corporate careers behind to dive headfirst into the world of brewing. They opened Southern Grist Brewing Company, focusing on small-batch runs and never shying away from experimentation. Check out their Breakfast Bowl range on the w/alc side of their website!

As of June 2023, they have concocted an astounding 1,067 creations since opening their doors. If my calculations are correct, that averages out to an astonishing 11 unique beers per month over the past eight years. What a feat!

Recognizing the surging popularity of nonalcoholic (NA) beer sales in recent years, the trio made a strategic move to introduce a new NA lineup. In 2022, they unveiled Parallel, a fruited sour, followed by Company Pils and last year released Beacon Juicy IPA.

Company Pils is worth going the extra mile to find. The pour produces a lovely head that would make any Bavarian proud. Its light, crisp profile is complemented by a subtle citrusy orange bitterness on the finish. You'll feel refreshed after one and completely engrossed after your second.

It will be exciting to see what they come up with next. If you're in Nashville anytime soon, visit one of their two taprooms in East Nashville. As they say, "No matter what your beer preference is, you'll always have a seat at the Southern Grist table.”

[March, 2024 update: it seems that the brewery has paused the production of all three of the NA beers mentioned above. Company Pils is still available in multiple stores. So I guess try and find some before they possibly disappear forever.]

How does Southern Grist Brewing Co. describe Company Pils: This crisp & refreshing Non-Alcoholic Pilsner style Lager is hopped with Mandarina Bavaria and Crystal hops. Staying true to our traditional Lagers, Company Pils pours a beautifully golden straw with a bright white fluffy head and lands at under 100 calories per 16oz can!

Learn more about Southern Grist Brewing Co. at southerngristbrewing.com

GIESEN - ROSÉ

• New Zealand

• Calories: 16 calories per 4.25 fl.oz. serving

• Sugar: 6g per serving

• Serving: 25.4 fl.oz.

• ABV: 0%

• Buy:  giesenwines.com • store locator (click on top menu bar)• widely available online

• Price: $12.00-$16.00

The ModSub thoughts: In an attempt to raise the bar on healthy eating in our household, we've recently been leaning back into Mediterranean cooking. Leafing through Yotam Ottolenghi's "Plenty" for some inspiration, I landed on a recipe for Stuffed Peppers with Fondant Rutabaga and Goat Cheese.

"Yum!" I thought, conveniently ignoring the stick of butter required to make the fondant rutabaga. Ottolenghi's recipes are demanding in terms of time, but the rewards are always well worth the effort.

This seemed like the perfect opportunity to dive into my modest, albeit growing, nonalcoholic (NA) wine collection—well, more like a few bottles tucked away in the basement. It's certainly no wine cave.

I had read great reviews of New Zealand's Giesen Vineyard and cracked open a bottle of their Rosé. I'll admit I was only an occasional wine drinker in the "before times" and thus no connoisseur of the grape, but to my untrained palate, this Rosé is quite lovely.

It has a light crispness and leans toward the dry side, with a beautifully balanced fruit flavor. Granted, it's been a while since I have had a glass of wine with alcohol in it, but this was unquestionably a worthy replacement. However, don't take my word for it. Recent awards include a Silver Medal placing at both the 2022 and 2023 IWSC with a highly commendable score of 91 points.

Grab a bottle and share your thoughts with me! Oh, and don't forget to try the stuffed red peppers; they were equally amazing!

How Giesen describes their Rosé: This dealcoholized New Zealand Rosé boasts delicious stone fruit aromas of white peach, apple, and fresh strawberries. Those apple and stone fruit notes linger on the palate alongside crisp cranberry flavors and a lively, refreshingly dry texture. A light and freshing addition to any dinner table or social gathering!

Learn more about Giesen Wines at giesenwines.com

Bonus: Be sure to check out their website for a collection of cocktail recipies that can be crafted using this Rosé and their complete line of alcohol-free wines. I tried the Rosé Lemonade a few nights later, and it was absolutely delicious—a definite crowd-pleaser for an end-of-summer dinner party.

WELLBEING - MATCH DAY LIGHT

• St. Louis, MO

• Calories: 35

• Sugar: Unknown

• Serving: 12 fl.oz.

• ABV: <0.5%

• Buy:  wellbeingbrewing.com • store locator • widely availble online

• Price: $11.99-$14.99 (6-pack)

The ModSub thoughts: Wait a minute! There’s an NA beer called Match Day Light that celebrates both football (soccer, if you must) and English Pale Ale? Well, you had me at … well, any of that collection of words.

WellBeing Brewing Company from St. Louis has been around since 2018, and thankfully their beers are widely available across the country. Their Victory Citrus Wheat is most commonly seen in bars and stores alike and was an early pioneer in the NA beer field.

Match Day Light, along with its superb packaging, pays homage to the highest level of English football, while also recognizing the deep passion for the game in St. Louis, especially during the inaugural season of St. Louis City SC in Major League Soccer (MLS).

This may be the first English Pale Ale that I have seen in the non-alc beer category, and it is quite fabulous. A collaboration with St. Louis’s famous Schlafly Brewery, Match Day Light is based on the recipe of one of their flagship Pale Ales.

The pour delivers a deep golden-brown color and a lovely head. I’m going to leave the taste description to the brewery (see below) because they’ve hit the nail on the head with theirs.

If you love your beer as much as you love your football, this one should be on everyone’s list to track down. An absolute winner and a standout amongst the sea of IPAs and lagers.

How does WellBeing describe Match Day Light: Match Day Light is a classic style, bready pale ale that has a well-balanced malt character and hop profile with a light mouthfeel, crisp with a slight roasted malty after taste.

The English Pale Ale has been intricately linked to the beautiful game since the Football Association wrote down the first set of rules in 1863. Based on ye olde recipe from The St. Louis Brewery, it’s an ale born of artistry.

Learn more about WellBeing Brewing at wellbeingbrewing.com