Dry Drinker is delighted for The Duchess Alcohol Free Gin & Tonic. This elegant alternative to alcohol has won two coveted awards at the Oscars of the soft drinks industry.
It was named Best Adult Drink and Best New Drink Concept at the Zenith Innobev Awards*, beating strong international competition.
Like Dry Drinker, the judges must have loved the tonic carefully infused with botanical extracts – orange peel, all spice, star anise, clove, cardamom – blended with re-distilled juniper berries.
Independent success
And The Duchess is barely a year old. Founders Johannes le Roux and Inus Smuts were thrilled by their win, Johannes saying: ‘We are so pleased that, shortly after a year of launching, The Duchess is already surpassing our expectations.’
Dry Drinker founder Stuart Elkington said: ‘Well done Duchess! This is deserved recognition of a drink that I knew I had to stock as soon as I’d tasted it. And it’s great to see a small independent business win over larger more established brands.’
Big Drop in final
Dry Drinker likes to back – and stock – winners, and so they’re also excited about the success of Big Drop.
Big Drop – the UK’s first brewing company to exclusively make <0.5% ABV beer, and stocked by Dry Drinker – has been shortlisted in the BBC Food & Farming Awards 2018. It’s 1 of 3 finalists in the Best Drinks Producer category and the only one that produces alcohol free drinks.
Big Drop are on a winning streak – Big Drop Pale Ale was Style Winner in the World Beer Awards 2017, while its Stout won Silver in the same awards and Gold in the International Beer Challenge.
Tempted to try a collection of alcohol free sparkling wines and low alcohol wines? Stocking up for a special occasion or looking for a baby shower gift?
Choose from a trio of sparkling rosés, a red, white and rosé wine mix, Prosecco, and our Premium sparkling white collection.
You certainly don’t need alcohol to find fizz that bubbles with taste and sophistication. Be it Prosecco, brut, blanc or rosé, it’s all about drinking pleasure when you buy from Dry Drinker. Only wines that we’ve tasted and enjoyed make it into the shop. We’d recommend them to our friends.
Of course you deserve more than fizzy water when everyone else is toasting with Champagne. Alcohol free sparkling wine makes you part of the party, while staying alcohol free.
Dedicated producers
And be assured, we source from producers dedicated to making alcohol free wine to enjoy in its own right. Traditional methods are paired with new technology to offer a great drinking experience. You deserve the best.
Scavi & Ray
Scavi & Ray produce an award-winning Prosecco and use the same Glera grape in their aromatic non alcoholic version
MRG
Wine house MRG has worked with Champagne expert Richard Juhlin to create two premium sparkling wines. It’s Morouj brand also offers a sparkling white and sparkling rose.
Torres
Torres non alcoholic wines, at 0.05% ABV, will keep everyone happy at the dinner table. This is a family-run business with more than 150 years winemaking experience, blending tradition with innovation to produce quality wines across the globe.
Bees Knees
Bees Knees Alcohol Free sparkling wine and sparkling rosé are a finely balanced combination of sparkling grape juice and premium tea infusion. And all with lots of lovely bubbles.
Dry January might be making you realise you don’t crave ‘alcohol’ – you crave your favourite drinks. They might suit your mood, time of day, or the occasion. When water or soft drinks won’t cut it, don’t worry. As Dry January’s official online partner, Dry Drinker has got seven alcohol-free options to fit your fancies and help you stick with Dry January, whatever the occasion.
1) CRAVING CRAFT?
Hoppy? Malty? Citrus notes? You enjoy savouring interesting, complex brews. And yes, you can get them alcohol-free, thanks to clever craft brewers in the UK and Europe. Some, like inventive UK entrepreneurs at Nirvana and Big Drop only brew alcohol-free, and each have four great beers to choose from. Others have added to their range – like St Peter’s Brewery with the malty joy of St Peters Without, Without Gold, and Without Organic, and BrewDog with its super-hopped Nanny State. Get exploring!
2) WISHING FOR WHEAT BEER?
You love the unique refreshment of a chilled wheat beer. Well, smile, because Weisse really works alcohol-free. Especially if you drink it ice cold and let it breathe for a minute or two. Mmm. Traditional German wheat beer breweries, such as Erdinger, Paulaner, Maisel’s and Schneider, have used masses of brewing experience to add alcohol-free to their ranges. And forget energy drinks – alcohol-free wheat beer is the ideal low-calorie isotonic after exercise.
3) LUSTING AFTER LAGER?
You like to relax with a lighter lager. There are many more alcohol-free brands out there than you might see in the pub. Europe is way ahead of the UK when it comes to easy drinking alcohol-free. For example, Spain has got it sussed – try a taste of the Med from Moritz and Estrella Galicia. Big names like Budweiser Prohibition Brew and Heineken 0 are also on the case. And if you want a punchy lager with US hops try Pistonhead Flat Tire. Yes, it is non-alcoholic!
4) FANCY FIZZ?
You love to raise a toast and celebrate but sparkling mineral water doesn’t quite cut it. Well, alcohol-free bubbles are not just fizzy grape juice. Scavi & Ray’s alcohol-free prosecco is made with the same grapes as the ‘real’ stuff and the aroma alone says ‘cheers’! Bees Knees has got a green tea take, and champagne expert Richard Juhlin put his name behind the premium RJ Jubilee & Blanc de Blancs. And the bottles look great as a party gift too.
5) SEEKING STOUT?
You find the dark stuff comforting at this time of year. It’s a bit like drinking pudding.
You want to sit back and slowly enjoy a G ‘n’ T, without the alcohol. Well, Teetotal G’n’T is for you – made with the botanicals that flavour a good quality gin and tonic, without the alcohol. Just pour over ice and enjoy. Or, there’s the sensational Seedlip. Two non-alcoholic distilled spirits – one spicy, one herbal – with no sugar, no sweeteners and NO calories, but so much flavour and finish. Serve with a good quality tonic, or use as the base for mocktails.
7) WANT WINE?
Alcohol-free wine making is a serious business, not an afterthought, for winemakers like Torres, Vintense and Ariel. They use the best grapes, ideal growing conditions and modern processes to craft Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Rosé, Merlot, Chardonnay, ready for your tasting notes!
Take home tips:
Forget alcohol-free beers or wines you tried in the past. Things have moved on!
Remember that the same ingredients, care and skill go into making alcohol-free beers and wines as their boozy brothers and sisters.
Explore and try something new – Dry January is about change and adventure after all!
So, what’s it all about? Who is it for? What can you gain?
Dr Richard Piper, who helps make it happen, explains how Dry January is about benefits for YOU, like better sleep, losing weight and saving money
Dry January feels like it’s been around forever, doesn’t it? It’s as ubiquitously January as New Year’s resolutions and the post-Christmas belly. But how much do you know about it?
Dry January has gone from zero to over five million participants in four years.
This is its fifth year running, and we’re expecting the biggest year yet. Dry January now looks suspiciously like a movement – a movement of people who want to be in charge of when, what and how much they drink. Someone you know will be doing it. Probably more than one. Maybe your whole family. Maybe your whole office. Probably not the whole country but hey – we can dream.
It’s about YOU
Dry January is quite different to Sober for October (run by Macmillan Cancer Support) or the Dryathlon (run by Cancer Research UK), because it’s about YOU. It’s not about raising money for charity (though if you want to, you can do that through Dry January).
It’s not about giving something up. It’s about gaining some real benefits for yourself.
‘It’s about you sleeping better, losing weight, and having more cash in your pocket’
It’s about you sleeping better, losing weight, and having more cash in your pocket.
Did you know that we Brits spend an average of £50,000 on alcohol over the course of our lifetimes? Ditch the booze for a month and you could save more than you’d think.
‘It’s about you going to social occasions and realising that they can be enjoyed without alcohol’
Learn new skills
It’s about you going to social occasions and realising that they can be enjoyed without alcohol (and you’re likely to feel better the next day too).
‘It’s about you learning the skills you need to be able to say you don’t want a drink’
It’s about you learning the skills you need to be able to say you don’t want a drink, so that when February hits (or March or April or… you get the picture) and you don’t fancy that second glass of wine, you can turn it down easily.
We call these drink refusal skills and Dry January is your bootcamp for developing them.
Lasting benefits
‘But Richard,’ I hear you say. ‘Dry January is just a month. People will go back to the bottle in February. Why are you making such a fuss about it?’
Well, evidence shows that 72% of us continue to drink less that we were before Dry January even six months after it ends. That’s because, at its heart, Dry January is an opportunity to reset your relationship with alcohol, possibly for good.
‘There’s nothing to lose and an awful lot to gain’
So should you do Dry January? For most people, I would say a massive yes. There’s nothing to lose and an awful lot to gain.
If you’re worried you’ll find it hard, that’s fine. In fact, it means you might be one of the people who will benefit the most.
Lots of support
And crucially you’re not alone. We at Dry January offer support, in the shape of:
daily motivational emails
our free app which allows you to track your drinking, plus units, calories and money saved
our online community
plus more help if you need it.
I’m going to sum up with a quote from blogger Jenna Haldene, who reckons you should give Dry January a go.
‘I didn’t think I felt bad at the time. I assumed that it was normal to feel tired and slightly sluggish, and that it was just a side effect of getting older. It wasn’t until I gave my body a much-needed break from alcohol that I realised how much potential I had to feel amazing.’
If you drink very heavily or experience physical withdrawal symptoms when not drinking alcohol, then Dry January is probably not for you. Instead, you should seek support from your GP or alcohol services; find out what’s available in your area. Unsure if this applies to you? Try this alcohol audit.
Richard Piper is the chief executive officer of Alcohol Concern, which is the charity that runs Dry January.
Where do you start with Mikkeller alcohol free beers?
Instantly tempted by the spiced orange peels and coriander seeds of Drink’in the Snow 0.3%? Equally drawn to the herb and peach aromas of Drink’in the Sun 0.3%? Or, given that refreshing wheat beer is your thing, you might reach for Energibajer 0.0%.
These are a craft brewer’s vision made real, and very drinkable.
Craft brewer vision
Innovative Danish craft brewer Mikkeller aims to brew quality beer that you’ll choose to savour with good food. Nevermind the wine, you’ll reach for a Mikkeller – that’s their mission statement. Notably, they do this using the best ingredients and most talented team.
Above all, their vision insists they DON’T make watery or tasteless beer. What better news for alcohol free fans? At Mikkeller, beer is there to challenge our taste buds – be it bitter, spicy, sour or fruity.
Mikkeller alcohol free beers
Dry Drinker offers a trio of Mikkeller alcohol free beers to get your senses working.
Namely, in the premium craft collection, you can find Mikkeller Drink’in the Snow 0.3%. You’ll immediately taste an amazing winter beer, spiced with orange peels and coriander seeds.
However, if you dream of warmer weather, try Mikkeller Drink’in the Sun 0.3%. It has a hazy orange body, while on the nose are herbs and peaches, with hints of grass and apricot. Finally, the palate is light-bodied and full of peach and grapefruit, as well as herbal notes.
Then, if you’re a wheat beer fan, you’ll truly enjoy Mikkeller Energibajer 0.0%. Consider it a bottle of isotonic* bliss to reward your run (or whatever else you’ve done that deserves a cool down). After all, there are even runners dashing around the label to inspire you.
Teacher turned brewer
In 2006, Mikkel Borg Bjergsø was a maths and physics teacher who began experimenting with hops, malt and yeast at home in his kitchen in Copenhagen. Today he exports his micro-brewed beer to 40 countries and is acclaimed as one of the world’s most innovative brewers.
Love the labels
Mikkeller bottles stand out immediately, thanks to designer Keith Shore’s distinctive labels. Highly coloured and slightly weird, they’re telling a story about the beer inside. It’s another sign of quality, we think.
Mikkeller Running Club
While we’re talking about exercise, the Mikkeller Running Club is an international phenomenon, with chapters across the UK, from Soho to Stoke. There’s even a Rick Astley chapter, made up of the singer’s tour crew. I wonder what they sing on the way round…
*Isotonic? What’s that about?
Isotonic drinks can quickly replace the fluids, salts and minerals we lose when sweating. Indeed, they are easy for our systems to take on board. So, you could settle for a sugary sports drink after exercise – or reach for a tasty and isotonic low-alcohol beer instead.
So, give your taste buds an adventure with Mikkeller alcohol free beers. Buy online from Dry Drinker – the UK’s most trusted alcohol-free store.
Trusted Shops review
‘I absolutely love Dry Drinker. There are so many different options available which has made giving up alcohol so much easier.’
‘Very pleased with my order. It was delivered well packaged by a courier. Great selection of non alcoholic drinks.’
Do a sober sprint, drink mindfully or go alcohol-free with the help of Club Soda – the Mindful Drinking Movement. Significantly, Club Soda wants a world where nobody has to feel out of place if they are not drinking alcohol.
Club Soda lets you set goals and track progress, alongside sending motivational emails, has a supportive online community and runs events. They’d encourage you to mash up a mocktail with some zero-alcohol Seedlip distilled botanicals. Or maybe try one of Nirvana Brewery’s four flavour-packed craft ales. And Club Soda is free to join!
Man v Fat
Man v Fat is weight loss motivation for the fat man. The website supports you for every single pound you need to lose, with a book, weight loss schemes, forums, inspiring stories, accountability groups.
And Man v Fat Football, which is played in leagues nationwide and is FA endorsed.
An isotonic beer like Erdinger would certainly go down well after a footie match – with 125 calories per can, and no fat or cholesterol. Buy online from the UK’s most trusted alcohol-free store, Dry Drinker.
OYNB (One Year No Beer)
One Year No Beer isn’t just about giving up beer, or giving it up for a whole year. OYNB is for men and women who want to take a break from alcohol for as little as 28 or 90 days. It’s a coaching and accountability program designed to help you take a break from and challenge your relationship with alcohol – especially for people who’ve questioned how much they drink.
And meanwhile they offer a 100%, no questions asked, money-back guarantee if the programmes don’t work for you.
That deserves a toast with some alcohol free Scavi & Ray Prosecco, from Dry Drinker!
Dry January, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Easter, Saints Days, birthdays, big sporting events … we find many reasons for a party with family and friends and some of us want to enjoy events alcohol free.
At all of them, the UK’s most trusted alcohol free store Dry Drinker can help you offer guests who want or need to stay alcohol free a choice of tasty grown-up drinks. Give them more than sugary or artificially sweetened soft drinks, the ubiquitous orange juice or water (still or sparkling? yawn).
Consider these guests:
Designated driver
‘You made it!’
You collapse through the door at your sister’s 40th birthday party. You’ve battled the M25, with cries of ‘are we nearly there yet?’ on repeat from the back seat. Your reward? Mineral water… diet coke… one of the kid’s fruit drinks…?
Or a zero-alcohol Teetotal G’n’T from Dry Drinker? On ice, with a slice of lime, perhaps? That sounds more civilised.
(Drink Aware explains why drinking any alcohol and driving just isn’t worth it!)
Pregnant friend
‘Congratulations! When’s it due?’
Your news has gone down well at New Year’s party and you look blooming. Shame you have to stick with soda water and lime when they crack open the champagne.
With Dry Drinker, you could join in with some delicious alcohol free Scavi & Ray Prosecco. The aroma alone says celebration.
Man on a mission
You accepted the invite to the fancy dress party before committing to get fit. In a pair of Leprechaun ears and facing your fourth pint of diet coke, you glumly wonder how long it will be before you reach for a ‘real’ drink.
Would you rather get stuck into some alcohol-free Nirvana Brewery Kosmic Stout, courtesy of Dry Drinker? Deep malty chocolate taste, with only 100 calories for a 500ml bottle, it will keep you on track – and stop those ‘not drinking mate?’ jibes.
Help them enjoy events alcohol free
So, there’s three guests who would be grateful you got some supplies in from the UK’s most trusted alcohol-free Store Dry Drinker.
Office party planning
Why not supply alcohol-free drinks and not just ‘soft’ ones at work parties? Don’t hardworking colleagues and employees who want to stay alcohol-free deserve more than squash, coke and mineral water?
And help people pace their drinks, without having to miss out on taste. So, check the UK’s largest range of alcohol-free beers and fill the ice-bucket with some refreshing Erdinger wheat beer, craft ale St Peter’s Without Gold or many other light beers.
Trusted Shops review
‘Such a fantastic business to deal with. Inquiry responded to promptly and order dispatched quickly perfectly packaged. The actual drinks were delicious, not gimmicky or overly sweet as many non-alcoholic drinks can be. Oh the G’n’Ts were very popular at the party. Will certainly be bookmarking this site for future events.’ (2017)
Give your party and dinner guests real choice in what to drink by offering alcohol-free. Buy online from Dry Drinker and let everyone celebrate to the max!
You might want to stop drinking alcohol for a while to:
improve your health and fitness
raise money for charity
just because you like a challenge!
Have no fear, Dry Drinker is here to help.
Alcohol-free reward
Giving up alcohol doesn’t mean condemning yourself to soft drinks, water or fruit juice. Your willpower is already hard at work, so don’t stretch it further by limiting yourself to bland drinks.
Reward yourself up with a refreshing gluten-free Krombacher Pils, or a robust Paulaner wheat beer, and stay part of the celebration with Bees Knees or another sparkling wine.
Huge choice
Dry Drinker offers the UK’s largest range of alcohol-free beers. If you’ve been disappointed by limited supermarket or pub options, we’ll have something for you.
Mixed case adventure
Explore the options. Why not have an alcohol-free tasting adventure with the Dry Drinker mixed case? 12 or 24 hand-picked bottles and no two the same.
As these reviews show, the UK’s most trusted alcohol free store Dry Drinker is in your corner!
Trusted Shops review
‘Trying a dry September, so selected some of my favourite wheat beers and pils and was really surprised at the quality. Will continue to drink them alongside the alcohol laden ones once the break is over.’ (September 2017)
‘Excellent service. Kept us going through our 12 week get-healthy stupid idea.’ (September 2017)
‘Great selection – making not drinking way more fun’ (September 2017)
‘Helpful chat on the phone to agree a newbie starter pack. Delivered two days later. Very pleased.”
(August 2017)
‘Having decided to cut out alcohol from my life I still wanted the taste of the beers I enjoyed without the downsides… hallelujah Dry Drinker. I didn’t realise there was such a vast array of non-alcoholic beers to choose from, they have it all. The service has been great and the mixed cases a real treat. I would highly recommend Dry Drinker. You won’t look back.’ (July 2017)
It took almost a year to perfect the recipe for Without® Gold, the delicious new zero alcohol golden craft beer from St Peter’s Brewery. It appeals to ale drinkers who love a good, full-bodied golden ale, and lager drinkers looking for a delicious alcohol free beer.
Tasting note
Slightly sweet malt flavour combined with a citrus bitterness. And very moreish.
Food pairing
Great with a burger, topped with English cheddar cheese. But this is great to drink with anything, or on its own.
Calories
Without®, Without® Organic and Without® Gold have fewer calories than an alcoholic craft ale.
Suffolk-based micro-brewery
Traditional agricultural buildings are home to St Peter’s Brewery, all in the grounds of a beautiful and remote moated 13th century manor house in Suffolk. It has led the way in the resurgence of craft breweries in the UK since its launch in 1995.
Pure water
St Peter’s alcohol free range begins its life deep below the ground, with pure water drawn from a borehole.
Alcohol free brewing brilliance
It took time and a many false steps to devise the special production process used to make the Without® range. It involves tweaked fermentation and the stripping out of residual alcohol, which doesn’t affect the distinctive taste.
The only problem is which one to choose… so why not try all three from Dry Drinker, the UK’s most trusted alcohol-free stockist.
Trusted Shops review
‘Treating myself to a bottle or two of the new Gold Ale from St Peters. Excellent. Being a repeat customer I can’t thank Dry Drinker enough for the quality of the beers, but also the best customer service experience a customer will experience.’ (July 2017)
This is a German beer with fewer calories than a soft drink and no compromises! Even though 500ml has under 100kcal, is a great non-alcoholic thirst quencher, which can turn a break in your day into a Bavarian taste experience.
Paulaner brewery launched the world’s first ever non alcoholic wheat beer in 1986. Then it was the first German brewery to launch a non-alcoholic wheat beer with yeast.
Taste
The same full wheat beer flavour as its big brother: unfiltered, refreshing and vitalising.
Food pairing
Open and leave for a few minutes, then pour and enjoy. Try it with a goats cheese.
Paulaner brews alcohol free with a combination of de-alcoholisation and interrupted fermentation. This preserves the typical fruity aroma as well as the fine notes of malt and yeast.
Trusted Shops review
‘Excellent service and fantastic tasting non alcoholic drinks. Highly recommended.’ (September 2017)
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Win a Thatchers Zero Summer Bundle, with 10 x 500ml bottles of award-winning Thatchers Zero Cider, 2 x Thatchers stemmed glasses and a Thatchers tote bag.
Medium dry, full of appley aromas and crisp refreshment. What cider’s supposed to taste like.
For your chance to win, add your details and hit subscribe! We’ll pick 3 winners on August 14.
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