NAN

Non-Alcoholic News my Nan would approve of!

• 🍺 BEER: Those of you in North Carolina can enjoy two new NA beers from Resident Culture Brewing - N.A.R.C. IPA and N.A.R.C. lager. (link)

• 🍺 BEER: Schlafy’s in St Louis, have released a nonalcoholic version of their signature pale ale. (link)

• 🍹 SPIRITS: Danny Trejo’s line of NA spirits have expanded to include a pink gin alternative. (link)

• 🍺 BEER: Celebrity-backed NA products now include the newly launched Stealing Hoppy Hours by rock band 311. (link)

• 🍹 SPIRITS: One that will make my Dad happy (ay up Dad) 🙋🏼‍♂️), Beefeater have made a 0.0 version of their famous London Dry Gin. It will initially launch in Spain and make it to the U.S. … at some point. (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.

CRODINO - BIONDO

• Crodo, Italy

• Calories: 60 (though I found differing numbers)

• Serving: 3.38 fl.oz. (10 cl) or 5.9 fl.oz. (17.5 cl)

• ABV: 0%

• Buy: specialty food shops (especially Italian) • widely available online

• Price: $2.50 - $3.00 per 10 cl bottle

The ModSub thoughts: When I was on my hols in Italy a couple of summers ago, I would inquire at the restaurants we ate at if they had any nonalcoholic drinks. Some places had them, others didn't. Bottled lagers like Moretti, Peroni and Heineken 0.0 were my initial go-tos. However, as time passed, I craved something different.

It wasn't until the final evening on the balcony of a charming old hotel in Santa Marguerite that a waiter, seeing my face wince at the thought of yet another bottled lager asked, “Have you had a Crodino?”

And so began my love affair with the little palm-sized bottle from Crodo, in northwest Italy. First created back in 1965, this rust-orange delight is Italy’s most popular nonalcoholic aperitif. Citrusy, lightly sparkling, and boasting a bold, enduring bitter aftertaste crafted from a secret blend of herbs—rumored to include cardamom, coriander, clove and ginger.

Served in a wine glass with a slice of orange, it’s the perfect alternative to the widely and wildly popular Aperol Spritz. Plus, it's half the price and none of the booze!

If you're planning a trip to Italy or nearby countries, keep an eye out for Crodino. If you'd rather stay at home, I highly recommend pairing a Crodino with an episode of White Lotus season two. SALUTI!

How does Crodino describes Crodino Biondo: Unmistakable and unique taste with its lively bubbles, opening with citrusy and distinctive orange notes. Intriguing bittersweetness leading to spicy and complex notes.

Learn more about Crodino at crodino.com

NONNY - PALE ALE

• Vancouver, B.C.

• Calories: 55

• Serving: 12 fl.oz.

• ABV: 0.5%

• Buy: us.nonny.beer* • store locator** • widely available online

• Price: $16.00 (4-pack)

*At the time of publishing the online store is suspended due to the bonkers weather - do try back when things have cleared up.

**Still worth checking your local bottle shops even if the beers aren’t showing up on store locator.

The ModSub thoughts: Four things I love about Nonny Brewing:

1. The packaging. I will simply say - GORGEOUS - and leave it at that.

2. The tagline. “Mix In A Nonny’.” As we look toward a future where there is parity between the alcohol and NA industry, it’s interesting to see how beverage companies market their products. Personally, even though I don’t drink alcohol anymore, I love that Nonny’s take is one of integration, not abstinence. That tagline is more like a callout to those who drink regular beer than those who don’t. Smart.

3. The name. Okay, I didn’t immediately love the name because it reminds of me of Mrs. ModSub’s childhood comfort blanket, made of tartan sandpaper which goes by the same name. But I reached out to Lane, one of the two brothers who founded the brewery, to inquire about his reason for naming the brewery, Nonny, and I did love his answer.

"The name Nonny comes from what we used to call non-alc beers while we were growing up. It was sort of a slang term we'd use. It was rarely used as a positive term until we realized the power of putting a high-quality non-alc beer in your fridge. We decided to use it as our name as a personal reminder of the challenge ahead in changing people's minds about the category.”

4. The Pale Ale: The blend of Citra, Amarillo and Galaxy hops produce a super-refreshing fruity, hoppy taste that lingers long long after the bitterness has dissipated. It’s one of those beers that tastes so good that one mouthful isn’t quite going to cut it. Two or three gulps does the trick, and before you know it, the can is empty, and you are eyeing up a second.

Eye-catching. Smart. Clever. Delicious.

And I still have three more of their beers to try! Boom!

How does Nonny describes their Pale Ale: Nonny's Pale Ale is brewed with a healthy dose of Citra, Amarillo and Galaxy hops. Expect big aromas of tropical fruits, and a finish of citrus and mellow bitterness.

Learn more about Nonny at us.nonny.beer

SOBER CARPENTER - BLACK IPA*

• Quebec, Canada

• Calories: 60

• Serving: 16 fl.oz.

• ABV: <0.5%

• Buy: sobercarpenter.us • store locator • available online

• Price: $42 for a 12-pack direct from the brewery, I bought a single can for $3.49, otherwise $16 for a 4-pack

*This is a limited run but it seems to have been going for a few months now.

The ModSub thoughts: I must have the missed the excitement surrounding Black IPAs in the early 2010s, but it seems they created quite a buzz for a number of years. The name itself sparked debates, with terms like Cascade Dark Ale, India Black Ale, and Black IPA all vying for recognition as the rightful label for this unique beer.

The origins were also hotly contested, with some feeling like the Pacific Northwest pioneered the brew, while others point to the Vermont Pub & Brewery in Burlington as the originators back in the 1990s.

To an uneducated beer enthusiast (Ed: did someone say something?), a Black IPA looks and tastes like someone filled a pint glass with equal measures of IPA and stout and called it good.

But of course, to the hardcore brewers and beerheads, it’s a lot more than just some idiot mixing his beers. First and foremost, this is an IPA and a highly hopped one at that. Its dark color and gentle roasted coffee notes come from dark malts.

The malts make their presence known right from the beginning, offering a touch of toasty goodness and a subtle blend of chocolate and coffee. Toward the finish, the hops emerge, leaving you with a subtle bitterness.

If I had a minor gripe, it would be the strong carbonation, which is a bit too lively for my palate. It’s an easy fix though to just let the beer sit for a bit after the pour.

Definitely worth adding to your shopping basket if you happen to come across it, and a must-try for enthusiasts of this particular style.

How Sober Carpenter describes their Black IPA: Your eyes will see a stout, your nose will smell the hops of an IPA and your palate taste dark malts and citrusy hops. Your brain might be a little confused, but your taste buds will be pleasantly surprised! We decided to let our brewers have some fun with this new limited-edition series. Each of these small-batch brews will use less common styles, hops, and malts for you to discover!

Learn more about Sober Carpenter at sobercarpenter.com