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Arron Smallman is the founder of Let’s Push Things Forward, a Hospitality Specialist Peer-Based Recovery Coach and a World Record Holder!

He is a self-proclaimed low and no alcohol crusader and mental health first aider who recently shared some of his insight with Low No Drinker Magazine readers in the debate on mid-range spirits and their place in a moderation lifestyle.

In this episode Arron and I get into the nitty-gritty of low/no beverages and their place in the UK hospitality experience.

We talk about our combined four decades of experience in bars and the service industry and the good and the bad sides of all we’ve seen.

Arron shares his personal philosophies on life, work and recovery, and honestly, this is like no chat we’ve had on the show before.

Raw, honest and with a unique approach, Arron is the living embodiment of the phrase ‘more than one way to skin a cat’. Aaron's candid revelations about undiagnosed autism and the stigma of sobriety peel back the curtain on an industry often synonymous with excess.

Our discussion spins through the intricacies of mindful drinking, the strategic nuances of integrating alcohol-free options into business models, and the art and science of menu psychology. Aaron's insights are a beacon for those in the industry poised to reshape their offerings in tune with changing tides.

I can’t wait for you to hear this one...

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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First, there was low and no – now there’s light!

As industry leaders in this newer mid-range space, Quarter co-founder Rohan Radhakrishnan is primed to welcome us into his world in this eye-opening delve into the 12% spirit brand.

Co-founded three years ago by childhood best friends Fabian Clark & Rohan Radhakrishnan, the Quarter range includes a 12% Gin & a 12%Tequila – just a quarter of the standard ABV for full-strength spirits.

In our conversation, Rohan shares the origin of Quarter and his own on-and-off love affair with booze, as well as the inspiration that led this dynamic duo to bring the brand to market.

We discuss product placement, public perception and the desperate need for more education all round for the industry to not only grow but to thrive.

As the mid-week drinkers become more discerning about what goes into their glass, Rohan & Fabian become equally discerning about what goes into their drinks; authentic ingredients, expert guidance and masses of trial and error later and this is still only the beginning for Quarter and the light-alcohol market.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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Join me on this trip down memory lane with Carl Anthony Brown, co-founder of Crossip Alcohol-Free Spirits.

Carl comes at the low/no market from a different perspective, as in his inimitable “unapologetically Bold’ way he makes it clear that his drinks were never made to replicate alcohol and nor were they made for sober drinkers!

Instead, Carl and the Crossip team are making flavour-first drinks for those times when full-strength imbibers are choosing to drink less.

Carl takes me through the creation process of inventing Crossip, which involved a lot of time spent in dark rooms with a lot of booze as he taste-tested his way to just the right formulas for the “currently” three-strong range.

We touch on Carl’s impassioned opinions about the word ‘Mocktail’, and I probe the nation’s favourite television drinks expert for some of his best tips for making low/no cocktails at home.

This episode is full of open chat, honest opinions and lots of laughs. Get your glasses topped up, and come join us!

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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Discover the effervescent world of sparkling pét-nat tea fermentation with Aaron McAllister and Daniel Lasa of Amma Brewery, who join me to share their passion for creating low-alcohol, artisanal beverages that go beyond the everyday.

These brewmasters take us behind the scenes of their six-month ageing process, revealing how their culinary and fermentation expertise culminates in a drink that's as complex as it is refreshing. From the serendipitous discoveries that shaped their methods to the unfiltered essence that defines their brand, we sip through the artistry that sets Ama's offerings apart from conventional spirits.

Aaron and Danny pour out the challenges and philosophies of crafting these premium drinks, emphasizing their dedication to minimal intervention and sustainable practices incorporating natural ingredients from specialist growers around the globe.

We also explore the vital role of the Makers Alliance in cultivating a community for small-scale producers and how they strive to preserve their integrity against the backdrop of a market often controlled by the heavy pour of larger corporations.

Raise your glasses to collaboration and evolution within the craft drink industry, as we celebrate Ama Brewery's journey into the spotlight in fine dining. Aaron and Danny reflect on the importance of language and education in introducing new categories of premium beverages to the discerning palates of consumers and sommeliers alike.

Join us for an episode that's bursting with the complexity, nuance, and the very essence of what makes a drink not just good, but remarkable.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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And now for something a little different…

This week things take a more scientific turn as I speak to Food & Beverage Consultant Hamish Renton.

Hamish is the MD of HRA-Global and, with 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, is in a unique position to shed some light on the newest but little-known fad to be impacting the low-and-no industry.

The ‘fat-jab’ is gaining increased notoriety among celebrities, social media and tabloids as everyone from the ex-Prime Minister to your Gran turns to them to help manage their weight loss.

But what is the unrealised knock-on effect on the low-and-no-alcohol beverage industry?

These medications, which are already being used for their side effects and not what they were initially designed for, are affecting how swathes of Americans (and now Brits) are approaching consumption of everything from food to alcohol and the relationships we have with others along the way.

How will the low/no beverage industry respond? Will this mark the launch of yet another new category? Are the short-term effects going to have long-term impacts on independent producers who already face mounting struggles just to keep up with the big-alcohol Joneses?

This is a truly fascinating subject, dive in with me now…

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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This week, our glasses are brimming with an innovative non-alcoholic elixir that whispers tales of the Scottish highlands and promises liberation from traditional drinking culture. Feragaia’s botanical symphony, a blend of 14 distinct natural resources from land, sea and spice, is redefining the non-alc beverage landscape as a sophisticated choice for those seeking an adult alternative.

The cultural tides are turning, and we're riding the wave towards a future where alcohol-free drinks stand proudly with their alcoholic brethren. Feragaia’s elegantly crafted non-alcoholic spirit challenges our palates and preconceived notions about what a mature beverage experience should be without compromise and without comparison.

In this conversation, we unpack the intricacies of Feragaia‘s unique flavour profile and address the broader societal shift towards mindful drinking. We shine a spotlight on the importance of mental health and the burgeoning acceptance of non-alcoholic options in social settings.

Scotland's rugged beauty, troubled history with alcohol and constant battle against hard-worn stereotypes are the perfect backdrop for innovation and tradition to collide.

Both inspired by and now becoming a B Corp certified business, co-founder Jamie Wild shares a deep connection to nature and a commitment to responsible growth.

Whether you're a bartender looking for a new muse or a curious spirit ready to explore non-alcoholic masterpieces, Jamie's invitation to collaborate is a call to all beverage creators eager to stir up the drink industry.

Join us for an episode steeped in inspiration, where every revelation is like a sip of Feragaia —complex, rewarding, and utterly refreshing.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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The UK labelling system for low/no beverages is broken. There, I said it!

Most people don't understand the differences, our pubs don’t match our supermarkets, and it’s all a case of best practice with no hard and fast laws to govern them.

In this episode, I take you through the main terminology used to describe the low/no-alcohol drinks that you want to enjoy so you can best prepare yourself to live a life less intoxicated on your own terms.

We examine the different labels used in the UK, the exact ABVs that they ‘should’ represent, where we differ from other countries, and what may be happening to change it all.

This is the first of many episodes helping to bring clarity and open conversation around the low/no drinks industry so we can all enjoy a life less intoxicated with confidence.

If you have a topic you’d like me to dive into, then drop me an email at denise@lownodrinkermagazine.com

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker

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Ever wondered how a shift in lifestyle can spur a wave of creativity and innovation? In the latest conversation on the Low No Drinker Podcast, we retrace the steps from three-Michelin-starred sommelier at Nappa Valley’s French Laundry to kitchen creator with All the Bitter founder Ian Blessing.

Parenthood and the pandemic introduced Ian and his wife, co-founder Carly, to the world of sobriety and, with it, the challenge of finding quality, alcohol-free cocktails that were just missing that something extra.

Now, the pioneers of an entirely new product category, All the Bitter’s cocktail bitters can be used in both alcohol-free and alcohol-full cocktails, and if you want to know how, then Ian is the best man for the job.

From what cocktails are best enhanced with each of their four SKUs to the introduction of bitters into lesser-known beverages (anyone for an AF red wine and bitters, or maybe a chamomile tea?) Ian really opens up the world of bitters and welcomes you all to sip and learn with him as we go.

With some surprising insights along the way, you’ll come away from this episode knowing more than you ever thought you would about cocktail bitters; and whether you’re teetotal, sober curious, or mindfully drinking, you’ll also come away with a slew of brand-new drinks to brighten up your low/no-drinking experience.

Low No Drinker Magazine: for the mindful & sober curious drinker