Singles and Doubles

MODSUB#76

Wotcha!

I had a lovely weekend down in Bend last week. If you are down there on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday—you should make time to check this out.

Enjoy some great drinks this week.

Cheers,

Myles

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

FUNCTIONAL
Brēz - Single, Double and Flow

WINE ALTERNTIVE
For Bitter for Worse - The Saskatoon

Read time: 5 minutes 33 seconds

What’s in the guide and how does it help people?

• 30-page ebook

• Tips on the three mental hurdles to overcome to set yourself up for success as you substitute alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic alternatives.

• Pointers on where to find NA drinks - short answer: lots of places - this will show you where to look.

• 50+ beverage companies showcasing non-alc beers, wines, spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails - including links to explore, purchase and find locally.

• Three additional resources for finding bars, restaurants, breweries and bottle shops that sell or serve NA drinks when you are out on the town or travelling.

Where can I get the guide?

You can download the guide here.

It is a free resource. But if you would like to support this endeavor, there is a “pay-what-you-can” feature to set the price you'd like to contribute—your support is truly appreciated.

NAN
New NA Drink News

NORTH AMERICA

• FUNCTIONAL/BEER: Get ready for a May/June release of the first THC-infused NA beer from new kids on the block, FABRIC. Sign up to their website for more news on the roll out. (Link)

• WINE ALTERNATIVE: You can now enjoy TÖST’s Original and Rosé in 250ml cans. (Link)

• BEER: Vermont’s Switchback Brewing Company has just released Switchback N.A., the non-alc version of their flagship Switchback Ale. (Link)

WORLDWIDE

• WINE: There’s a brand new non-alc Vermouth that has just launched from the folks over at Canter Italia. Mood Liquoroso is out now in a number of international regions and looking for U.S. distribution. (Link)

• BEER: Winner of my favourite draft NA beer last year, Butcombe Brewing Company have just released their second  non-alcoholic beer—Tall Tales Pale Ale Zero. And guess where I’m flying home to next week? (Link)

FUNCTIONAL

ModSub: If anyone could see the coming wave of change in the adult drinks market, it was Aaron Nosbisch. As the founder of Lucyd, a social advertising agency that handled 90% of all social media ads for cannabis brands, he had a front-row seat to how the industry was unfolding.

That experience gave him one of three key ingredients to create Brēz, an industry leader in hemp-derived THC-infused drinks.

Having cracked the code on how to market cannabis brands, he knew exactly how to sell his own products from the moment the first can came off the production line. To date, Brēz has moved roughly five million units since the summer of 2023.

The second advantage he had was his extensive experience in e-commerce. While Brēz can now be found in retail stores, for a long time, it was sold exclusively direct-to-consumer. Given the millions of units sold, that’s an staggering feat for a beverage company still in its relative infancy.

And the final reason for Brēz’s success? The drinks themselves.

Let’s break them down. Single and Double both contain hemp-derived THC (2.5mg and 5mg, respectively), CBD, and Lion’s Mane mushrooms, all in low dosages. The goal was to mimic the effect of one alcoholic drink. Using a nano-emulsified form of THC, the particles are broken down into a smaller size, allowing for faster absorption and quicker wear-off, similar to that one unit of alcohol.

With the dosage capped, there’s no anxiety—just an elevated sense of relaxation. I won’t lie: while I felt a mild shift with the 2.5mg, the 5mg was a noticeable change and probably as far as I’d want to experiment. It was fun, though, and for a second, I even got the giggles.

Flow is the third option, with both THC and CBD removed, leaving just the Lion’s Mane mushrooms for focus and productivity—the daytime version, if you will.

Interestingly, unlike many other beverage companies, Brēz hasn’t experimented with a variety of flavors. There’s just one: Italian Lemon and Elderflower. Word is that may be changing later this year, but for now, it works. Flow is citrusy, floral, and slightly earthy from the mushrooms. Single and Double share the same flavor profile, though they come across as slightly more intense, perhaps due to the addition of THC and CBD. Regardless, they’re both delicious and fun to mix. Check out Brēz’s IG page for recipes—try the Ginger Margarita posted on January 25.

I’m really starting to love these hemp-driven beverages. I walked away from excessive alcohol consumption three years ago and have no intention of going back. Sometimes, though, you just need a little something to lift your mood after a rough week. I’ve never been a huge fan of weed, but with capped low-dose drinks like Brēz, you know exactly what you’re getting—which is why this feels more like a functional drink than anything else.

With last week’s launch of Spirit—essentially a spirit version designed for mixing cocktails—it feels like Brēz is here to stay. You’ll hear no complaints from me.

How does Brēz describe their Singles and Doubles: Our cannabis and mushroom social tonics create a uniquely pleasant and social effect that helps you feel better without feeling worse. We worked tirelessly to give you a truly unparalleled experience. Most report euphoric, clear, and relaxing effects that are obviously present without overwhelming. Sparkling with notes of Italian lemon and Elderflower.

How does Brēz describe Flow: Functional mushrooms and botanicals harmonize to create an elevated experience for any occasion. It’s light and citrusy with an edge that sets it apart. Sparkling with notes of Italian lemon and Elderflower.

*Monthly subsciptions are available for a 20%

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WINE ALTERNATIVE

ModSub: Most of you know by now that I love an ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail or wine I can fit in my pocket and quietly pop out at events that don’t offer non-alcoholic drinks. For a long time, one of my favorites has been Eva’s Spritz from For Bitter For Worse.

So, I was rather chuffed to hear that another FBFW creation, The Saskatoon, is now available in a 6.3 fl. oz. can alongside its older bottled sibling.

Amusingly referred to as “red wine’s mysterious, wiser friend,” The Saskatoon was so popular in its larger format that fans of the beverage requested FBFW follow suit with Eva’s Spritz and Rose City Fizz—offering it in single-serve cans as well.

That decision paid off, with the first batch selling out in just 13 days.

The Saskatoon pours a deep auburn color, enveloping your taste buds with layers of berries, bitterness, Douglas fir tannins and spice. Whether you want to enjoy it as a non-alcoholic red wine or a cocktail, that’s up to you to choose. 

It’s more than up to the task of pairing with the “red wine” foods but equally, it can happily be dressed up as a cocktail or savored on its own over ice. Give it a role, and it will confidently play it.

While positioned as a “red wine alternative,” understand that it stands on its merits, with a bitterness you should be prepared for. Embrace the drink with your eyes wide open though and you’ll be rewarded with something quite special. 

It’s certainly wiser—but that’s just the half of it.

Oh, also, make a point of checking out the recipe collection on the For Bitter For Worse website. Let me know if you try any.

How does For Bitter For Worse describe The Saskatoon: The Saskatoon is food-loving and savory, an invitation to linger over a hearty meal. It’s red wine’s mysterious, wiser friend.

READS
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