NAN

Non-Alcoholic News my Nan would approve of!

🍷 WINE: FRE Wines have just announced they will be launching single serve bottles (187ml) of their Chardonnay and Cabinet Sauvignon. (link)

🍺 BEER: For all you fresh hop enthusiasts, Athletic have just released their Oregon Strata Wet Hop IPA. Only available online. (link)

🍺 BEER: Thoughts on the future of the NA Beer market from Heineken global innovation manager Karlijn van Ruiten. (link)

🍷 WINE: Surely have just introduced their Red Blend, a new experimental wine mixing de-alcoholized wine with teas, botancials and other ingredients. (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.

Grüvi - Dry Secco & Bubbly Rosé

• Denver, CO

• Calories: 50

• Serving: 9.3 fl.oz.

• ABV: 0%

• Buy: www.getgruvi.com • store locator • widely available online

• Price: $32-$36 for an 8-pack

The ModSub thoughts: I've learned the importance of planning ahead when I receive invitations to events like weddings, auctions, or gala dinners. While it doesn't happen very often, I've realized that the chances of finding a satisfying non-alcoholic (NA) option at such gatherings are extremely low. Therefore, I've unapologetically made it a habit to bring my own NA beverages.

Until it becomes common practice to cater to the growing NA audience at events like these, I'm going to continue bringing my own options. I do get a few curious looks, but it doesn't seem to bother anyone, and it often serves as a great conversation starter. So, why not?

While there are a handful of single-serve NA wine products on the market, Grüvi’s Dry Secco and Bubbly Rosé offers festive and celebratory options that are perfect companions for the aforementioned events like weddings, when you're looking for something fun to toast with.

Grüvi, established in 2019 in Colorado by siblings Niki and Anika Sawni, stands out for an unusual reason - they produce both non-alcoholic beer and wine. With a selection of five beers and four wines, the company has has garnered significant acclaim over the last few years.

The two drinks feel like siblings themselves and it seemed a shame not to recommend them together. The Dry Secco didn't seem as dry as I initially anticipated, and it took some time for me to appreciate its taste. It's defintely a good alternative to a decent Prosecco. The Bubbly Rose is exactly what it says on the label, semi-sweet, lots of bubbles and lovely balanced fruity aftertaste.

I was really impressed by them both but I think for me the Bubbly Rosé came out just ahead. I’m off to an event tomorrow night and I think I might just sneak a few of these in!

How Grüvi describes their Dry Secco: Inspired by the effervescence of champagne, our Non Alcoholic Prosecco is a delicious, carbonated wine crafted from hand picked and blended wine grapes. This wine is semi-dry, with floral and tart endnotes. Each serving is 0.0% alcohol, 10 ounces and boasts only 50 calories. Did we mention it’s completely gluten-free and sulfate-free? Cheers to that!

How Grüvi describes their Bubbly Rose: Our alcohol-free sparkling rosé is crisp, effervescent, and fruity on the nose, with notes of tart green apple and fresh strawberry. This sparkling sipper is gluten free, alcohol free (0.0%) and only 60 calories per bottle. So go ahead, rosé all day. You deserve it.

Learn more about Grüvi at www.getgruvi.com

SOUTHERN GRIST BREWING CO. - COMPANY PILS

• Nashville, TN

• Calories: 98

• Serving: 16 fl.oz.

• ABV: <0.5%

• Buy: www.southerngristbrewing.com • Total Wine & More • Other online outlets • Local NA stores

• Price: $11-$13 for a 6-pack

The ModSub thoughts: Three homebrewers embarked on a brave journey in 2016 when they left their corporate careers to dive headfirst into the world of brewing, and opening the Southern Grist Brewing Company.

The brewery focuses on small batch runs and aren’t shy to experiment - check out the Breakfast Bowl range on the w/alc side of their website!

As of June this year they have come up with a mind-boggling 1067 creations since they opened their doors. Which, if my calculator works correctly, averages out to an astonishing 11 unique beers per month over the course of the last 8 years. WHAT!!!!

Recognizing the surging popularity of non-alcoholic (NA) beer sales in recent years, this trio made a strategic move to introduce a new NA lineup.

Last year, they unveiled Parallel, a fruited sour, followed by Company Pils. Keep an eye out for their upcoming release, Beacon Juicy IPA, set to hit the shelves later this year.

Company Pils is worth going the extra mile to find. The pour is lovely with a proper head on it that would make any Bavarian proud. Its light and crisp profile is complemented by a subtle citrusy bitterness on the finish.

It will be fun to see what they come with next. If you are in Nashville any time soon visit one of their two tap-rooms in East Nashville. As they say 'No matter what your beer preference is you will always have a seat at the Southern Grist table’.

How Southern Grist Brewing Co. describes their 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 www.southerngristbrewing.com

🥇 THE SOBER OCTOBER CONTEST 🥇

WIN A DELICIOUS BOTTLE OF PATHFINDER

I came across Anders Erickson’s YouTube channel earlier in the year at the recommendation of a neighbor. The highly popular and charismatic mixologist is well-known for his w/alc cocktails, but he has also put out a couple of videos with some delicious looking non-alcoholic drinks.

So to celebrate Sober October, I’m going to make each of the 4 drinks during the course of the coming month. Here’s where YOU come in.

Each week you make them too, send me a quick pic of the drink and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a bottle of The Pathfinder (previously recommended here - $40 value).

Here’s all you have to get that lovely bottle of Pathfinder:

1. Make the cocktail and send me a picture of the drink and let me know whether you liked it.

2. Just reply to this email and attach the photo.

3. Each photo will equal one entry.

4. As there are four cocktails you have four chances to enter. (Max four entries per person)

5. I’ll let you know who the winner is in the October 28th edition of the newsletter.

Here’s the full video with all four drinks.

SOBER OCTOBER CONTEST - WEEK 1

A LITTLE THYME OFF

• Anders Erickson

• ABV: 0%

Recipe from Anders Erickson:

• 1 oz. (30 ml) lemon juice

• 1 oz. (30 ml) thyme-infused simple syrup**

• 4-5 oz. (120-150 ml) Fever Tree Ginger Beer

• Thyme sprigs & lemon wheel for garnish

**THYME SYRUP RECIPE 2:25 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup water 20g fresh thyme sprigs - Over low heat, combine sugar and water. Stir to dissolve. Add fresh thyme and simmer for 10 minutes (don’t boil!). Once cooled, remove thyme sprigs & strain syrup to catch any little thyme bits.

Watch the video to learn how to make it. (3.00)

The ModSub thoughts: Well I picked the easiest one to kick off this contest. The ingredients are super easy to find and if I take nothing away from the next month, having the thyme syrup in my arsenal will have made it all worth it. The combination of the syrup and the lemon is fabulous. Two thumbs up for this one.

How Anders Erickson describes A Little Thyme Off: ‘This cocktail is a fancy fizzy lemonade. It’s got herbal notes, a little spice and it’s really tasty.

Learn more about Anders Erickson at www.anderserickson.com or follow his youtube channel here.

BEFORE YOU GO……PLEASE DO THIS

If you found this week’s newsletter helpful please take 15 seconds to support The Modern Substitute by:

1. A like or a share on our new Instagram page would go along way to help the ‘ole algorithym elevator.

2. Forward this to a friend that might be curious about non-alcoholic drinks.

   Thank you and have a great weekend!

Did You Miss Last Week’s Newsletter?

Read about WellBeing Brewing Company - Match Day Light, Greenbar’s Un Rum + Cola and Olivia Noceda’s Tomato Basil Margarita.