Is Australia primed for an alcohol-free drinking movement?

Our relationship with alcohol is changing. While 2020’s lockdowns saw an initial spike in alcohol sales in Australia, it dropped as people started embracing a healthier lifestyle: exercising more, cooking at home, and cutting back the booze.

“Australians seem to be choosing to drink less, or needing to drink less, for health or other reasons,” explains AIA Vitality Ambassador and dietitian Marika Day. “We’re starting to see a shift in drinking trends.”

With excess alcohol consumption one of the four main risks to your health – along with smoking, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet – these are positive steps to see.

There are many reasons people cut back on drinking, but general health and wellness is often the big one. Still, if it was possible to enjoy your favourite drink, without any of the negative alcohol-induced side effects, wouldn’t that be an enticing prospect?

Enter the new breed of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks.

While non-alcoholic beers and wines have been available for a good while, they’ve often fallen short in the flavour department. But now, thanks to a new generation of local non-alcoholic brewers and distillers, Australians can enjoy a range of delicious tipples – with fewer carbs, fewer calories and, of course, no alcohol.

Heaps Normal’s Quiet XPA hit shelves in 2020 and is already making waves – because it actually tastes like beer. Founded by a bunch of mates and a pro-surfer who have worked in the beer industry (and grown up around alcohol abuse), their mission is to normalise the idea of ‘mindful drinking’.

Aboriginal owned and operated Sobah launched their range of pilsner, IPA, lager and stout (as well as a gluten free beer) in 2017. Their beers incorporate Indigenous ingredients like finger lime, mountain pepperberry and Davidson plum to create unique and refreshing tipples. Founders Clinton and Lozen Schultz are hoping to spark conversations around just why Australians drink, and to break down the stigma attached to socialising while sober.

The sober curious movement extends beyond beer, too. Zero-alcohol wines and spirits are also appearing in bottle shops and restaurants, helping to bridge that divide between the drinkers and non-drinkers. And local distillers, such as Melbourne-based Brunswick Aces, are using the same distillation process and botanical profiles to make alcohol-free spirits.

“All these different varieties of alcohol-free options provides the opportunity to have a drink that, in Australia, is almost a cultural tradition – without the alcohol,” Marika says.

For the most part, yes.

“The removal of the alcohol reduces any alcohol-associated health risks,” Marika explains. “Switching to alcohol-free drinks can see an improvement in overall health, particularly the health of the liver, which is responsible for processing and removing alcohol from the body.”

This study shows that alcohol-free beer can improve blood circulation and may reduce the risk of thrombosis (when blood clots form in the arteries). Non-alcoholic drinks (anything under 2% ABV) are hydrating, and can be a good way to boost our daily water intake.

Booze-free beer has around half the number of calories as a regular mid-strength beer, so you’re less likely to gain a beer belly from alcohol-free drinks, or make unhealthy food choices when you’re drunk or hungover. And if you already associate the taste of beer or wine with fun nights out with friends, switching to the alcohol-free stuff will still give you a nice little hit of dopamine, the feel-good endorphin.

If you have an alcohol addiction already, it’s best to avoid the booze-free version. Given many alcohol-free beverages now taste almost identical to conventional beers and wines, it may prompt drinkers to reach for the harder stuff.

Most drinks have sugar in them too, so if you’re having more than one or two drinks, your sugar intake could rise pretty dramatically.

“Just because it’s alcohol free, doesn’t mean low in sugar or calories, or that’s it actually healthy,” Marika says, encouraging drinkers to check the nutritional info on their bevvy of choice.

Whatever your reasons for cutting back or abstaining from alcohol altogether, your beverage choices don’t need to be relegated to the soft drink fridge. And with this many options, drinkers could easily go dry for a month – or more – to sample this rapidly growing range of healthy alternatives. Cheers to that.

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.