Siblings, Darren and Alex, both started living an NA lifestyle two years ago to better their health and well-being. What’s remarkable about this story is it’s not about how a close brother and sister decided together to give up alcohol. Instead, it’s the story of two siblings who had never met before, unknowingly embarking on a similar life journey at the same time.
Discovering a Sister
Darren grew up in a loving family who adopted him as a baby. But as an adult, he began wondering about his biological family and started researching them. His detective work paid off when he was able to locate his biological mother, but unfortunately, by then, she only had one month left to live. In that first phone call to his mother, Darren didn’t know that his mother was also leaving behind a 4 year-old-daughter.
Darren learned later about his biological sister – Alex, and a brother, too. Darren reached out to Alex when she was a teenager, but she wasn’t ready to meet Darren yet. She had not known about her long-lost brother and she was dealing with the everyday stress of being a teenager. Later they became Facebook friends and kept up with each other that way.
When Darren traveled to Denver to race The Revel Rockies Marathon in June, he reached out to his sister again. She had recently moved to Denver from Chicago. This time, when he messaged Alex, she said yes.
Siblings Bond Over NA Lifestyle
Darren and Alex agreed to meet for a late lunch at Bodega, a neighborhood restaurant with many plant-based options. When Alex walked in, she was carrying a bottle of Bare Zero Proof Modern Classic Gin. Darren had learned on Facebook that Alex was working for a Non-Alcoholic bottle distributer and was curious to learn more.
The reunited pair talked about their family relations, childhood memories, and life stories. They realized they had quite a bit in common, including their switch to a non-alcoholic lifestyle. Darren and Alex learned that they both started on their NA journey at the same time (two years ago) and for similar reasons related to health and quality of life.
The NA Lifestyle Market Trend
Darren and Alex were following a trend in the market for NA beer, wine, and spirits which is seeing year-over-year growth of over 20%. Much of the change is coming from Gen Z and Millennials, like Alex. But Gen Xers like Darren are getting on board, too.
Seventy-eight percent of people who drink NA beverages, also occasionally enjoy alcoholic beverages. So the NA category is not limited to those who live a completely alcohol-free lifestyle, but is dominated by those who are just cutting back.
The change in the market is exciting for new NA buyers like Alex and Darren.
NA Lifestyle Alternatives
Alex had been a bartender in Chicago before moving to Denver and was a first-hand witness to the effects of serving (and over-serving) alcohol. Now she works for an NA brand (Bare) using her bartending skills to teach other bartenders how to make great-tasting, sophisticated NA drinks. “Many people assume that NA drinks are sweet and taste juvenile,” Alex said, “but there are so many more options available now, and ways for bartenders to be creative in offering these drinks to customers.”
Darren, who eats an extremely healthy, low-sugar diet relates. He’s struggled to find good dry, bitter, or savory NA alternatives to traditional liquors. He and Alex talked excitedly about the future of the NA market. “It’s great to see so many more alternatives becoming more mainstream,” he told Alex.
A Bond to Last
Darren and Alex wrapped up their conversation and promised to keep in touch. Darren expected to learn a lot from this first visit with his sister, and he did, but he didn’t expect to have so much in common with her. Despite having never met, their life experiences had led them to the same conclusions about alcohol-use. Darren left feeling like a proud big brother, delighted about his sister’s work in educating others to help them through their journey towards an NA lifestyle.
