The Bar Towel

I'm sure they can, but it's not terribly popular stuff.

Craig wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:10 pm I'm sure they can, but it's not terribly popular stuff.

Curious if all the breweries and others talking about it are just trying to will it into popularity, or if folks are actually drinking it.

I bet people are drinking it, but not in quantities that merit space on variety store shelves.

Probably has a lot to do with perception. I'm really enjoying NA beers right now, I've probably cut my regular beer intake down by about half going into this year, but I still don't find myself wanting one in a situation where I normally wouldn't have a beer. For instance I could technically sit at my desk and drink a bunch of them while working, but something about that just doesn't feel... right.

I do believe their popularity is going to skyrocket though, especially if more breweries put out ones that are as good as Rouge River's. Guinness seemed to be having trouble keeping their 0% in stock, it wasn't available anywhere for weeks back in December.

I know it's just one case, but I have a friend who decided to give up drinking over a year ago. His normal potions were macro lagers. He is regularly trying different NA beers and reports that they all basically suck. He's a serious foodie, so if he can't find something that meets the taste baseline of a Budweiser, I don't have a lot of confidence in this category.

A lot suck, to be fair. I'd say there's a bit of an adjustment of expectation that's required as well. I've found styles that have been less convincing are those that don't have things like dark malts or hops to "hide" behind, so if his baseline is macro lagers I can see it being tougher to find a good analog. Guinness 0.0 is very close to the real thing, and blind I'd bet most people couldn't tell Rouge River's IPA was non-alc, but those don't sound like the styles your friend would enjoy.

And believe me, I was extremely skeptical of the category and ignored it for a long time. Sorting through the crap can be tiring, but I'll be happy if I can find 3-5 different good ones to throw into the rotation to cut back on my overall intake.

Drink kvass style, less expensive and after acquiring the taste fun stuff too.

northyorksammy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:49 pm Drink kvass style, less expensive and after acquiring the taste fun stuff too.

You make your own?

I've seen N/A beer at an increasing number of quick-service places and boutique stores. But one reason I don't usually buy them when I'm out and about (or say, getting lunch at the office) is because I don't want people thinking I'm drinking the real deal!

Also, I find it needs to be poured into proper glassware, sometimes even more so than real beers: those suckers can be pretty foamy.

Royal City has just released one that’s really quite solid.

Here's what's coming to the fest at the Only...

How was the NOLO fest? Well received?

Anyone else tried the RR jazz hands and care to share their thoughts on it?

Jordan had a good write up about the event: https://www.goodfoodrevolution.com/expe ... only-cafe/

dale cannon wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:30 am Anyone else tried the RR jazz hands and care to share their thoughts on it?

There's already 3-4 comments in this thread about how good Jazz Hands is.

MatttthewGeorge wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:46 am

dale cannon wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:30 am Anyone else tried the RR jazz hands and care to share their thoughts on it?

There's already 3-4 comments in this thread about how good Jazz Hands is.

I sought supplementary opinions with a sincere intention to reach a consensus on the product’s merits. If my actions inadvertently breached any social conventions, I extend my heartfelt apologies.