(This is the guest post that appeared on August 7th in A Balanced Glass, a forum for discussion of wellness and balance for professionals in the alcohol industry.)

Much like my early years in the wine business twenty years ago, my budding passion and career in the area of mindful drinking is first and foremost about the community, rather than the liquid itself.

This past weekend I joined my first Global Mindful Drinking Festival and made some exciting discoveries I wanted to share.

My biggest surprise? Compared to my former wine career, it’s a vulnerable space.

Devoid of certifications and scores, I found a space where it is more than acceptable to talk about crippling anxiety, or negative self-talk, or imposter syndrome. And it’s ok to shout when you feel on top of the world because you’ve realized that being content is more than happy. It was not about social media and marketing connection in order to drive business, but about starting a business in order to drive human connection.

I met energetic, entrepreneurial producers of a wide range of non-alcoholic spirits, beers, wines and botanical drinks. I was introduced to new products, and watched reputed bartenders create sophisticated cocktails. From trade sessions focused on “Integrating Low and No Alcohol Drinks in Your Venue,” to “Inclusive Sober Spaces” it was a refreshing way to meet and interact with this growing community.

I discovered a new frontier with new rules and refreshingly, new voices. So far, I’ve found the space to be supportive, collaborative, curious, experimental, inclusive, diverse, young and energetic.

So what have I discovered since I started exploring the non-alc / low alc space?

I’ve tasted more than 60 products over the last year, and here is a quick list of Top picks in each category that I’ve tasted, and re-purchased, and that have been well received when shared with drinkers and non-drinkers.

Wine:
Most alcohol-free wine is too sweet, but my Top choice is Buonafide 0.0. Their Italian Reds “Rosso” and “Rosso Superiore” are fully fermented and de-alcoholized wines that smell and taste of wine and are very dry. The sparkling white drinks like a prosecco, and while it’s still sweeter than the bone-dry Champagne I favored, it’s a great option to satisfy the bubbles craving.

Keep an eye on the Sapiens Beverage Company– the young sister-preneurs behind this exciting new brand are producing their first dealcoholized Cabernet Sauvignon blend. They are a producer to watch.

Beer:
Athletic Brewing, Bravus Brewing and WellBeing Brewing are three excellent US dedicated non-alcoholic craft breweries. And craft brewers like Brooklyn Brewery are introducing outstanding AF options.

Spirits:
My Top spirit is Monday Gin (0 abv, 0 calories) . A gin with heavenly juniper and citrus aroma, it smells more like gin than gin! Paired with Q Tonic or Fevertree and a lime, no one will know it’s zero proof. Curious to explore more? Lyre’s has the largest range of bottlings – and awards. Choose from London Dry, American Malt, Italian Spritz, Amaretti and more.

Adult Sparklings: (all 0% abv and 0 calories)
Lagunitas Brewing’s Hoppy Refresher is my top pick. With citrusy hops with tiny hint of elderflower, it’s a refreshing drink. Try the range of HopLark Hop Teas -citrusy hops brewed with tea of varying levels of caffeine. Finally, Bitter Housewife Bitters & Soda won me over with their proprietary bitters blend.

Originals (spirits or botanicals that don’t fit an existing bev alcohol category):
My top choice is For Bitter For Worse – three formulations made with organic and foraged ingredients from the Pacific Northwest. I love Eva’s Spritz with flavors of rhubarb and a blend of 12 botanicals and Saskatoon which is reminiscent of bitter Italian aperitif, with a blend of berries, bitter botanicals including dandelion root, and Douglas Fir tips. Finally, Curious Elixirs and their four “shaken, not slurred” cocktail blends are made using organic juices, spices, herbs, roots, barks, and botanicals.

Curious to learn more?

You can watch the replay sessions from this weekend’s virtual “Mindful Drinking Festival” on YouTube and there are a number of helpful resources to find these new non-alcohol discoveries.

Zero Proof Nation has a ton of useful non-alcohol industry and product news, and NA Craft Beverages is a terrific resource for one-stop online shopping for some of these selections.

The mindful drinking world is an exciting community that recognizes the essential element of a ritual of gathering with a beautiful glass, and a thoughtfully constructed beverage, to toast to our bonds.

The community is an intersection of many genres; from authors writing books on quitting (known in circles as “Quit lit”), to wellness and sobriety coaches like me, or self-styled product reviewers and influencers, there’s space for everyone.

So if you’re curious, don’t be shy. The community is young, vibrant, diverse and welcoming. Something maybe that can be a lesson for many of us in the alcohol beverage world.