The British magazine Drinks Retailing News, a leader in the beverages market since 1863, has published an article written by Zoey Henderson named “Coronavirus: Isolation could provide a safe space to explore alcohol-free drinks”
The article begins with Doctor Aiysha Malik, technical officer at WHO Europe’s mental health and substance abuse department, who said that “using substances such as alcohol to pass the time or alleviate stress during lockdown can make things worse”. “Drinking excess alcohol during the crisis is an unhelpful coping strategy”.
There is no doubt that there is a preoccupation in the United Kingdom about the level of alcohol consumption since the sales of alcoholic beverages soared after the closure of bars and pubs.
Everyone knows drinking in excess is not good, but a lot of people enjoys a drink one or two glasses of wine during meals or a beer with friends after work. Nowadays we discover that the social routine has disappeared but there is still the desire to drink.
If you are a healthy social drinker, this only means you have to adjust your routine to drink at home with your partner or room-mates. But for those who live alone or are not that responsible, that can become a dangerous routine. For many people, not having to wake up to go to work can convert every day in a weekend. At what point do we realize how this can affect our attitude towards drinking?
The article says that under normal circumstances, we celebrate everything with alcohol, but the same can be applied to moments of stress. We have a delicate relationship with our favorite drinks and we all have to be aware of how this unprecedented time can tip the balance.
In the article are listed the countries that have banned or limited alcohol consumption: Australia, South Africa, Greenland. According to the leader of one of these countries “the restrictions were not intended to stop people from having a responsible drink but, he said, alcohol-related issues take up an enormous amount of resources in the health system. These are resources we simply cannot afford to spare during the Covid-19 situation.”
We should all try to create this space of normality in our daily routines and relaxation and alcohol incentive can be too attractive. However, excess drinking in a continuous way can have dramatic effects lowering our immunologic system and altering hormones that combined with the mental stresses of isolation can have further adverse effects on our physical and mental health. Then, how can we create the ceremony and routine of the after work or other special moment of the day?
Here is when the writer introduces the growing offer of dealcoholized drinks or products with low alcohol content which started to gain consumers’ attention as well as space in the shelves of stores.
Laura Willoughby, MBE and founder of Club Soda, suggests filling the cupboards with delicious drinks you will be willing to enjoy at the end of the day. In the UK, The Club Soda Guide lists a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks and where to find them. The growing selection of alcohol-free beers, winces and spirits through online retailers means that you can explore the products from home and have them delivered to you house. Same as in Spain we offer this service from The Blue Dolphin Store.
The market is changing. Pioneer bars in London like Redemption Bar or the recently open Brew Dog AF are places completely alcohol-free. On the other side, the majority of tradition bars and pubs still have a minimal no and low offerings. Many venues are integrating these products in their menus, but acceptance is still slow. Saying you have a minimal is, of course, a big step from a few years ago, when water or sodas where the only options.
Consumers too of course face the minefield of social conditioning and negative etiquette around drinking nonalcoholic drinks. Although 2019 was the year of mindful drinking and sober solidarity, there is still more work to do regarding the new social norms towards a more responsible consumption.
Zoey asks, can isolation be a safe space to explore the world of “alcohol without alcohol”, free from judgementor disappointing experiences faced when out? In The Blue Dolphin Store we are sure it is.
Nowadays there are more than 150 non-alcoholic beers worldwide and more than 70 non-alcoholic spirits. This list is growing daily thanks to the innovations from producers wanting to capitalize on this growing trend. Even if you are looking for an alcohol-free alternative to Gin for your tonic, an IPA or Stout beer, or even a bubbly drink, there are exciting brands creating the best products to satisfy those tastes, all alcohol-free.
Also, there is plenty of offers and inspirations online for these drinks. You can create your favorite cocktails thanks to La Maison Wellness, with recipes, tips and ideas. Big Drop Brewing Co. hosts a weekly quiz to go with that beer and you can learn to make cocktails with Thomson y Scott.
The article finishes recommending taking advantage of the time you have to interact with the new and innovative brands, try and experience with the drinks you like the most. This way you can create new favorite drinks that will help to keep you happy and healthy this 2020. In The Blue Dolphin Store we also recommend you to do so.
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