“Sober and curious” is the phrase on everyone’s lips this holiday season as Generation Z enters the workforce.
In fact, according to data collected this year, 21% of social and office Christmas parties this December will be alcohol-free thanks to the younger generation avoiding alcohol for health reasons.
Data from event booking platform Togather has revealed that there is a 3% increase in the number of people making bookings on its non-alcoholic site compared to last year.
As people look to ditch alcohol, the platform points out how companies are looking to spice up their non-alcoholic beverage offerings so people can choose drinks that won’t leave them with a headache the next day.
But while low- and no-alcohol drinks have long lined the back of the bar, promising delicious taste without a hangover, a new brand claims to offer something that’s a cut above the rest.
Fancy a decent beer without the hangover? Collider is a non-alcoholic beer company that promises to make you feel better after your night out.
Collider, which produces non-alcoholic beer infused with mushrooms and mood-enhancing botanicals, promises to not only take away your hangover; but also to make you feel even better than before your night on the town.
The brand offers two types of beer, Unwind Lager and Unwind Session IPA; both contain their Unwind BlendTM of mushrooms and botanicals.
Founded by Harry Cooke, Collider aims to help relieve anxiety and stress and improve cognitive function, as well as headache relief.
Among the botanicals used in bear are Ashwagandha, which is said to reduce cortisol in the body, and L-theanine, which regulates serotonin production.
Beer is brewed using the same process that would be used to brew alcohol; However, the fermentation process ends prematurely, resulting in a product containing only 0.5% alcohol.
It comes as Generation Z approaches the Christmas party season with a sober approach, after many faced freshers’ week at university without a drink.
The UK-based company uses a blend of botanicals and functional mushrooms to support serotonin production and reduce cortisol.
Many of Scotland’s universities replaced freshers’ week with “Welcome Week”, offering students a program of events reflecting modern trends, rather than all-night binges and parties.
In Bristol, student newspaper Epigram shared information about the “best drink-free events for sober students” during freshers’ week. These activities include cold water swimming, drum and bass boxing, and yoga in the park.
Students have taken to TikTok to share their experiences of sober living in college and revealed their best tips for avoiding alcohol.
In Edinburgh, Stirling, Strathclyde and St Andrews, students were offered the opportunity to take part in other alcohol-free activities, including parties, sing-alongs and Taylor Swift tribute events.
Yoga classes turned out to be a particularly popular option, with some colleges even offering “puppy yoga,” which includes “30 minutes of puppy cuddles and yoga poses” for students.
For those interested in sharing their green credentials, some universities organized vegan picnics and walking tours with local eco-friendly businesses.
Other non-alcoholic fun can be enjoyed at sober ceilidhs, as well as evenings where students can enjoy pizza, board games and bracelet-making workshops.