Surf's Up: Discovering the Allure of Cornwall's Coast

🍺 BEER: Blue Moon release NA version of their flagship Belgian White by the end of the year (link)

🍎 CIDER: For all you cider drinkers, Oregon’s 2 Towns Cider House are entering the NA drinks market (link)

🏴‍☠️ RUM: Europe is seeing a roll-out of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Gold 0.0 Rum. No word if/when it gets a US launch. (link)

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.

PENTIRE - SEAWARD & TONIC

• Cornwall, England

• Calories: 53

• Serving: 11.2 oz

• 0%ABV

• Buy: Pentire Online • Boisson • Other online stores . Local NA stores

• Price: $20-$22 (4-pack)

The ModSub thoughts: I won't lie. The first time I stumbled upon Pentire's website, I was completely captivated by the stunning photography and short films featuring surfers, swimmers, and friends savoring the beauty of the sea and the Cornwall coastline in England.

Still, I can't surf, and I tend to have panic attacks if I can't see the ocean floor when I'm swimming. Nevertheless, the captivating imagery and the subsequent descriptions of their drinks drew me in.

Pentire is the brainchild of Alistair Frost, a veteran of the beverage industry who, interestingly, doesn't partake in drinking himself. He launched the distillery in 2019 with a clear focus on crafting non-alcoholic beverages that capture the natural beauty and flavors of the Cornish coast.

Through collaborations with local experts, including botanists, chefs, and mixologists, he brought Adrift to life, utilizing a rich array of local botanicals sourced from the coastal ecosystem.

While Adrift leans towards the herbal side, the company's second release, Seaward, embraces the citrus notes. Both are available in standalone bottles and, more recently, in convenient RTD cans with tonic. I currently have a can of Seaward & Tonic in front of me that I can't wait to open.

And this will do nicely, thank you. Light, crisp, and striking a delightful balance of grapefruit and tonic, it finishes with a subtle bitter note, perhaps from the Sea Buckthorn, that complements the drink beautifully. I'm hesitant to compare it to a traditional gin & tonic, as it might set the wrong expectations, but dang, this isn't that far off. The taste of the tonic is perfect, with just the right level of carbonation. I'm a big fan of this.

I’ve been waiting a long time to try one of Pentire’s products and it was every bit worth the wait. I’m excited to try out the rest of their range. As of last year, they've made their debut in the US market and are swiftly expanding their distribution. For now though you might find it easier going directly to their US site and ordering there. Do it!

How Pentire describes their Seaward & Tonic: ‘Pentire Seaward, canned with our own house light tonic. Bright and zesty grapefruit notes blended with refreshing green natural tones from the Pentire Plant Blend.’

Learn more about Pentire at https://us.pentiredrinks.com/

Stella Artois Liberté

• Leuven, Belgium

• Calories: 59

• Serving: 11.2 fl.oz

• 0.0%ABV

• Buy: Try your local big chain supermarkets • Walmart

  • Google Shopping will bring up multiple options

• Price: $11.99-$13.99

The ModSub thoughts: I'm not entirely sure a 600-year-old brewery like Stella Artois needs any kind of introduction, let alone by me!

However, you may not be aware that the brewery introduced a non-alcoholic version of their famous lager in 2021. I spotted a case of Stella Artois Liberté during a spring break visit to Tampa, FL last year and practically did a dance in the aisle.

'A pint of Stella, please mate'. How often have those words come out of mouth in the before times. Suffice to say, I was very excited to see one of my long-term favorite light beers now available in a newly released NA version.

Returning to the west coast, I couldn’t find it for months, and even now, it doesn't seem to be as widely distributed as I would have expected. I've had the most success at major supermarket chains, so keep an eye out there. I'm also quite surprised that it's rarely seen in bars and restaurants. Perhaps it's just a matter of time.

Regardless, Liberté is a fantastic addition to the ever-growing NA beer market. It's almost indistinguishable from the original Stella, offering the same hoppy bitterness, subtle herbal and floral notes, and a pleasantly dry finish.

It's a great option to explore if you're in the Heineken 0.0 or Budweiser Zero market. I still do a little aisle dance in my head when I manage to find it.

How Stella Artois describe their lager: ‘Our brewmasters have taken 600 years of Belgian brewing heritage and combined it with our best, all-natural ingredients, to create an alcohol free lager that's bursting with flavor. With a pronounced hoppy bitterness, a crisp, clean and refreshing finish, and just 60 calories – without even a drop of alcohol – Stella Artois can now be savoured by everyone.’

Learn more about Stella Artois at http://www.stellaartois.com

GIESEN - ROSÉ

• New Zealand

• Calories: 16 calories per 125ml serving

• Size: 25.4 oz

• 0%ABV

• Buy: Wholefoods • Total Wine & More • check out the store locator at http://www.giesenwines.com

• Price: $12-$16

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 Goats cheese.

“Yum!”, I thought, conveniently ignoring the stick of butter required to make the fondant rutagbaga. 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, NA wine collection—well, more like a few bottles tucked away in the basement. It's no wine cave.

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

It's has a light crispness and leans towards 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 Silver Medal placing at both 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 www.giesenwines.com

Bonus: Be sure to check out their website for a collection of cocktails 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."

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