The Guest Pour Part 2

Wotcha!

A huge thank you to Chris Clemens (nonROCaholic), who has kindly stepped in for a second shift at the MODSUB helm. If you haven’t already, do go and check out his fabulous Instagram account and give him a follow.

As always, enjoy some great drinks this week!

Cheers,

Myles

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

BEER
Bulltown Brewing
• Raspberry Radler
• Midwest IPA
• Grapefruit Radler

SPIRIT
Frinj - Phantura

Read time: 4 minutes 06 seconds

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My NAN, who researches all the new non-alcoholic drink launches and brings them to you each week, is on her summer break.

She’ll be back on August 22.

BEER

nonROCaholic thoughts: When Bulltown Brewing launched its inaugural Blonde non-alcoholic beer last year, there was a fair amount of skepticism. The brand was founded by two Iowa dads whose primary background was dairy farming—a profession not typically associated with crafting great beer. As it turns out (at least in their case) the skills translated swimmingly.

Non-alcoholic beer nerds across the country quickly embraced Bulltown's first release, but we weren’t expecting too much more from a brand just starting up. This spring, Bulltown surprised us all and expanded their line-up with three new offerings: a Raspberry Radler, a Grapefruit Radler, and a Midwest IPA.

The Raspberry Radler is sweet, smooth, and crafted precisely for a hot summer afternoon, delivering a refreshing burst of fruit with its beer character. The Grapefruit Radler takes a similar approach but leans into the bright acidity and citrus bite of grapefruit presenting a crisp, refreshing experience. Meanwhile, the IPA lives up to its name with a piney, resinous hop profile that serious IPA fans will appreciate.

After four successful releases in their first year, it may seem greedy to ask what's next but Bulltown has built considerable momentum right out of the gate, making its future releases something to anticipate. All Bulltown beers and merchandise are available for purchase directly through the company's website.

How Bulltown Brewing describes their Midwest IPA: This non-alcoholic IPA is bursting with bold pine, resinous damp forest notes, and has a sharp finish.

How Bulltown Brewing describes their Raspberry Radler: This non-alcoholic Raspberry Radler is refreshingly tart and full of summer energy. It has the perfect balance of fruit and fizz.

How Bulltown Brewing describes their Grapefruit Radler: This non-alcoholic Grapefruit Radler has a perfect citrus twist on a classic. Each sip balances both a gentle sweetness and a tangy finish.

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FUNCTIONAL SPIRIT

nonROCaholic thoughts: NA bottle shop owners have a unique advantage because they’ve tried dozens of products from every category. They know what tastes good, they know what sells, and they’ve seen the successes and the tribulations from the countless brands that line their shelves (or, don’t.)

So when the folks from Drink More Or Less bottle shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan began to build out the specs for their newly launched beverage brand, they already had a running start. Add to that the culinary training and private chef experience of co-founder Chad Clark, and Frinj enters the market with a strong combination of retail insight and product expertise. The result is Phantura, the brand’s debut SKU, and its already earning praise in the non-alcoholic beverage community.

They categorize Phantura as an “adaptogenic spiced elixir”. Rather than mimic a spirit from the alcoholic world, they’ve instead created something all its own that may invoke comparison, but only for the purpose of identifying its peers.

The base flavor is a tart cherry juice, giving it a full body that inspires slow sipping. Maple syrup smoothes out the tart cherry base while apple cider vinegar provides brightness and structure. The flavors are deep and earthy, with the sweeter ingredients meant to pull back your senses and balance each sip.

Qualifying for the functional beverage category, Phantura includes adaptogens like Blue Lotus, Ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane, and L-Theanine. According to product specs, the combined effort intends to offer a relaxing focus, making it a strong candidate for an evening pour.

It’s unique to have a product in this category that can be enjoyed straight up over rocks, as most require support from other ingredients. I’ve found Phantura to be fantastic both on its own, and as an ingredient in a simple highball. If this functional elixir has had any effect on me, it’s to have found hope that this category will only continue to improve.

How Frinj describes Phantura: Phantura is bright and zesty on the nose. You’ll experience a lively burst of dark stone fruit with a smooth, carmelized, sweetness unfolding into cozy warming spices. Rich undertones with a touch of heat create a balanced, full-bodied bittersweet finish.

EXTRA READS

Three bar-quality non-alcoholic cocktails from the team at All The Bitter: Agave Margarita, Negroni and Lavender Gin & Tonic.

• A quick heads-up: some links here are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—thank you for supporting my work at no extra cost to you.