Here are 9 Michigan nonalcoholic beers, sparkling waters to try during Dry January
Dry January is here.
Whether folks are looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle, cut down on alcohol consumption or take on a new challenge, Dry January is an opportunity to recalibrate, recover from the holidays and go into the new year strong. Anywhere between 15-35% of U.S. drinkers may participate in the 31-day challenge, according to research firm Morning Consult.
In Michigan, craft breweries are responding in kind, releasing their own nonalcoholic beers and sparkling waters to help folks navigate Dry January. While many are only available in their taprooms, some will have cans for you to find in your local beer stores this month (and perhaps beyond).
Here are some Michigan-made nonalcoholic beers and sparkling waters to look out for on store shelves in 2024. Be sure to check your local breweries to see if they have NA offerings in their taprooms as well.
Hop Drink, Odd Side Ales
Known for expanding upon its beer horizons with hard seltzers and canned cocktails, Grand Haven-based Odd Side Ales now has a canned hop water going into distribution.
Hop Drink is a hopped-up but refreshing sparkling water with zero alcohol and comes in 4-packs at $7.99 a pop. Think Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher, but local.
Platinum N/A Blonde, Sour Lime and 313 NA IPA, Eastern Market Brewing Co.
One year after hitting the market with its first two nonalcoholic beer offerings, Eastern Market Brewing Co. has five in its lineup this year, including the addition of Platinum N/A Blonde, Sour Lime and 313 NA IPA.
The Detroit-based brewer uses its Equalizer machine's "dual-stage vacuum separation" to take a regular beer, "vacuum separate" the alcohol from it and create two outputs: a clear, hard seltzer at the same ABV, and a "near beer" with the alcohol removed, but most of the flavor of the regular beer preserved.
Last year, Eastern Market used it to produce a Tangerine Sour and Grapefruit Sour. This year, it's added Sour Lime, 313 NA IPA and Platinum to the fold, and all are available in Eastern Market's taprooms and in the southeast Michigan market in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans ($9.99 MSRP).
Mountain Water, Arvon Brewing Co.
Arvon released its seltzer water, Mountain Water, in cans last year. They can be found in 4-packs in select Michigan stores this month for $7.99. Like most hop waters, it's light, clear and refreshing, and it's produced with Citra hops, according to the Grand Rapids-based brewer.
Feel Better Blonde and NA IPA, FÜL Beverages
FÜL - founded by Mark Rieth, former owner and president of Detroit's Atwater Brewery - debuted in 2022 with six beverages, including four natural energy drinks and two nonalcoholic beers. Those two beers - Feel Better Blonde and NA IPA - are still available in stores and online (where you can use a special Dry January code, DRYJAN25OFF, to get 25% off your order).
The Feel Better Blonde is citrus-forward and refreshing, while the NA IPA is double dry hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops and crisp. Neither are heavy in flavor, but they're both pleasant and quite crushable.
Thirst Mutilator, Short's Brewing Co.
Short's' Thirst Mutilator, an alcohol-free sparkling water with lemon-lime flavor, was among the first hop waters from a Michigan brewery to enter distribution when it launched in 2022.
It's light and refreshing, and tastes just like a hoppy lemonade. At zero calories, it's a fine alternative if you're looking for a hop water with some fruity flavor.
Hoppy Mood, Founders Brewing Co.
Founders, which unveiled a nonalcoholic hop water called "Hungry & Sober" in its Grand Rapids taproom last year, now has a 6-pack of hop water in distribution. Called "Hoppy Mood," it has zero calories, zero alcohol and runs for $9.99 a pack.
Brian Manzullo covers craft alcohol for the Free Press. Contact him: bmanzullo@freepress.com and on Untappd, bmanzullo and Twitter, @BrianManzullo and @SpiritsofDET.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dry January: 9 Michigan NA beers, sparkling waters to drink
