This Bud's for You

MODSUB#93

Wotcha!

Back from our California road trip with a stash of new drinks to share in the coming weeks. Huge thanks to the ModSub family for stuffing their suitcases with these beauties so I could bring them back to Portland.

Thanks also to Mrs. ModSub for writing one of this week’s recommendations.

Enjoy some great drinks this week.

Cheers, Myles

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

BEER
Budweizer Zero

MODSUB MAILBAG
Drinks On Your Travels

COCKTAILS
Free AF - The Margarita Variety Pack

Read time: 7 minutes 06 seconds

NAN
New Non-Alcoholic Drink News

NORTH AMERICA

• COCKTAILS: Three new flavors from Medase Cocktails have just gone on sale—Lemon Drop, Mojito and Jamaican Rum Punch. (Link)

• BEER: Übergeek Brewing Company have created Devolve, their new non-alcoholic beer brand, debuting an IPA. (Link)

WORLDWIDE

• BEER: If you are anywhere in Australia that sells Heaps Normal, you might be lucky enough to snag one of their super limited edition, Jazz Stouts. Who knows you might bump into this guy! (Link)

BEER

Mrs. ModSub’s thoughts: The Fourth of July holds a special place in my heart for many reasons, which will be revealed throughout my first review of a non-alcoholic beverage.  

Recently, Mr. ModSub and I approached a bar at a music venue with very few NA options; but to my delight, Budweiser Zero was one of them. The bartender cracked the can open for me, making the delightful two-step sound that always signifies something to look forward to as a bit of fermented foam emerges out of the top. When the cold can was placed in my hand, I stopped to admire the all-too-familiar symmetrical pattern with the artistic detail you’d find on currency or playing cards. Upon seeing, hearing and feeling this old friend, I was cautiously excited for the taste and it did not disappoint.

The straightforward, no-nonsense barley flavor in that metal can reminded me of simpler times—before Henry Weinhard, Widmer Hefeweizen or McMenamin’s Ruby Ale entered my world. Like me, Budweiser was born in St. Louis. It was the King of Beers. It had cool commercials back in 1975, 50 years ago to be exact. I loved the anticipation of the big Clydesdales galloping to a Germanic jingle leaving you with that earworm of a catchy phrase, “When you say Bud you’ve said it all, when you say Bud you’ve said it all!”

I’ve never known known why beechwood-aged beer is worth noting. I did learn that beechwood is what Popsicle sticks are made of and I am all too familiar with trying to suck red, orange and purple juices out of those tongue depressors in my childhood. Perhaps that ritual was preparing me for the beer I would one day love. Budweiser’s fermentation process includes running the beer through beechwood chips to ensure no other flavors are introduced. It’s just beer. And I am so happy to welcome it back into my life thanks to Budweiser Zero.

Sadly, I only have memories of the other special things associated with Budweiser that are no more. Seeing all the neighborhood dads in the 70s turning off their loud lawnmowers and hearing the refreshing crack of cans along with the smell of fresh-cut grass. Seeing my St. Louis grandmother, who had a summer cottage on the Mississippi River, greet us from her screened-in porch after a long road trip in our green Buick LeSabre. She often had a Cardinals baseball game playing on the radio when we arrived that you could just barely hear behind a cacophony of chirping crickets. The adults would crack open Budweisers and dip their hands into shallow bowls of peanuts, pretzels or Chex Mix. In fact, when I wrote my remarks for her funeral years later, I put pen to paper and cracked my own Bud while tearfully tossing back a bag of Chex Mix.

And finally—Fourth of July. There are so many magical places to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but nothing compares to Washington, D.C. I was lucky enough to live, work and play with a flock of Oregon Ducks in our nation’s capital for six years back when Democrats and Republicans had fun together. We were always out and about, running through our meager salaries at breakneck speed. “Red, white and blues in a can” were always affordable and what could be more patriotic to party with—especially on the Fourth of July. Those days were festive but unfortunately a bit foggy for me, like the night sky following the grand finale of a fireworks display.

Things are quieter and clearer now. On this Fourth, Mr. ModSub is wrapping up his newsletter next to me on an overcast Portland day. Our daughter is staying at the coast, making memories with her own wonderful friends. And I am wrapping up this NA review that is turning out to be more of a recollection of my relationship with this iconic Midwest brand.

Budweiser Zero is just like the Budweiser with alcohol, but it’s not red, white and blue. It’s silver, like Mr. ModSub’s hair, who is as handsome as ever. Did I mention we met 21 years ago on the Fourth of July while watching the 2024 Euro Cup Final? Like Mr. ModSub, I think Budweiser Zero benefits from not having alcohol.

I’ll close with a message that’s right on the can. It made me smile, thinking about my past, and my evolving relationship with Budwesier.

To the heroes of the hardwood. The sultans of swat. The guardians of the good. Introducing the genuine Budweiser Zero, a refreshing zero-alcohol brew with the choicest ingredients and great Budweiser taste. This Bud is brewed for those who make zero compromise. This Bud’s for you.

Cheers to you—and the red, white and blue.

Mary Faulkner

How does Budweizer describe Zero: Budweiser Zero is an alcohol-free brew with only 50 calories and zero grams of sugar and is made for those who want to cut back on alcohol without missing out on the full flavor and refreshment of Budweiser.

MODSUB MAILBAG

Drinks On Your Travels

Last week, I asked if any of you had discovered new drinks on your travels—and I heard from Alena Botanica.

Alena is spending a month up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and as luck would have it, her place is just a few doors down from the Soberish Mocktail Shoppe & Dry Bar.

She sent over the photos above—check out that cracking cocktail menu!

She’s also fallen for NOA Spirits out of Montreal and is even considering a second suitcase to bring some back to the States.

Thanks, Alena!

Anyone else discovering new drinks while traveling? Hit reply and let me know.

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COCKTAILS

The ModSub thoughts: Free AF was started by New Zealander Lisa King in 2021. Back home, she’s best known for founding Eat My Lunch, a hugely successful for-profit organization with a “buy one, give one” lunch model that helps provide meals to children from low-income families.

It was this background in helping others that led King to start Free AF, a range of non-alcoholic cocktails. After connecting her recurring bouts of vertigo to drinking gin, she set out to create an alcohol alternative that could not only help her own situation but also support others looking to be more mindful about their drinking.

Two years later, Free AF’s collection of classic cocktails made it to the States, where they quickly exploded in popularity, landing in stores such as Target, Sprouts, Walmart and Total Wine.

Last week, I popped into a Sprouts in San Diego with one mission: pick up their new Margarita Variety Pack. And bingo—there it was. The pack includes a Classic Margarita, a Mango Margarita, a Chili Margarita, and a Paloma. All Free AF cocktails feature their proprietary Afterglow™, a blend of ingredients designed to replicate the warming burn of alcohol.

There are times when I feel like it is tricky giving my opinion on RTD versions of classic cocktails. Margaritas come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone has their own preferred mix. That’s why a variety pack like this one is a smart move—hopefully, there’s at least one that hits the spot for you.

For me, the Chili Margarita stands out from the rest. It’s the one that most closely resembles a true margarita. The agave is there, the lime is sharp, and there’s a hint of orange in place of the usual orange liqueur. The Afterglow™ gets a little boost from the jalapeño, but the heat is still fairly mild—nothing to shy away from. Rim your glass with Tajín, add a wedge of lime, and you’ve got yourself a cracking margarita. You could even add a shot of Free Spirits Tequila to take it up another notch.

Interestingly, none of the margaritas in this 4-pack can be bought individually, and I wonder if the company is testing the market to see which of the four flavors sticks. My vote, as you have probably guessed by now, goes to the Chili Margarita.

How does Free AF describe the: 

Chili Margarita: This little firecracker is spicy AF. A bold chili-infused twist on the classic, with a kick of jalapeño and a hit of heat.

COMMENTS
Share Your Thoughts

Let’s get the conversation going. Hit REPLY to share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

Here are some suggestions:

1. What’s your go-to NA domestic beer?

2. What’s your favorite RTD margarita? Have you tried the Free AF ones?

3. What drinks do you find go well at summer BBQs?

Have your own questions? Let me know. Hit REPLY.

READS
Last Week’s Edition

I haven’t made this recipe for Pickle Lemonade yet from master mixologist, Derek Brown, but this might just be the weekend to make some time for it.