Sober Curious Movement: Why Gen Z is Leading the Alcohol-Free Revolution
Sober Curious Movement: Why Gen Z is Leading the Alcohol-Free Revolution
The sober curious movement is gaining momentum, and Gen Z is at the forefront of this alcohol-free revolution. Let's dive into why young adults are swapping pints for mocktails and how this shift is reshaping social norms.
But before we dive into the sober curious movement, let's get to know Gen Z:
Age Range and Birth Years
- Gen Z typically includes those born between 1997 and 2012.
- As of 2024, Gen Z members are between 12 and 27 years old.
Key Characteristics
- Digital natives: The first generation to grow up with widespread internet access and smartphones.
- Diverse: Nearly 50% of Gen Zers are racial and ethnic minorities, making them the most diverse generation in U.S. history.
- Socially conscious: Generally more concerned with social justice, climate change, and sustainability.
- Pragmatic: Often described as more cautious and practical in their approach to careers and finances.
- Mental health aware: More likely to discuss and prioritize mental health issues.
Their focus on health, pragmatism, and social consciousness all play a role in reshaping attitudes towards alcohol consumption.
What's Driving Gen Z to Drink Less?
Gen Z is shaking up the drinking culture, and here's why:
- Health is wealth: They're clued up on the health risks of alcohol, seeing it as the new cigarettes.
- Penny-wise: With living costs soaring, splashing out on booze doesn't make the cut.
- Instagram-ability: Gen Z are living online, and drunk selfies don't look great on the gram.
- Playing it safe: Gen Z's taking fewer risks with their health and social image.
- Mindfulness: A focus on mindfulness and 'being present' is playing a part in driving the social shift.
The Numbers Don't Lie
The stats are sobering:
- Gen Z's drinking 20% less than Millennials did at their age.
- 30% of Gen Z are cutting back, with 13% going totally teetotal.
- In the UK, 28% of young adults don't touch a drop.
- 60% of Gen Z plan to dial down the drinks in 2024.
How's This Changing the Game?
The ripple effects are real:
- Drink industry shake-up: Non-alcoholic options are booming. Mocktails, anyone?
- Night out, redefined: Fun doesn't need to come in a bottle.
- Dating scene shift: Sober dates are becoming the new norm.
- Wellness revolution: It's all part of a bigger health movement.
What's Next for Sober Curiosity?
Looking ahead, we're likely to see:
- The sober curious trend snowballing.
- Dry social events becoming more mainstream.
- An explosion of alcohol-free drink choices.
- A long-term shift in how society views drinking.
Embracing the Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
If you're curious about going sober or cutting back, you're in good company. Here are some tips to get started:
- Explore alcohol-free alternatives: There's a world of exciting non-alcoholic drinks out there.
- Find sober-friendly social activities: Think coffee catch-ups, fitness classes, or game nights.
- Be open with friends: Let them know you're cutting back and why it matters to you.
- Track your progress: Notice improvements in your sleep, mood, and overall health.
We can expect functional alcohol-alternatives like IMPOSSIBREW® to rise in popularity as Gen Z explore non-alcoholic options, focused on improved wellness.
IMPOSSIBREW® is designed to give a relaxing buzz without the alcohol, thanks to its proprietary Social Blend™. It's may be the perfect option for Gen Z members looking to join the sober curious movement without sacrificing that "unwinding" feeling.
FAQs
Is Being 'Sober Curious' the Same as Being Teetotal?
Not necessarily. Being sober curious means exploring a life with less alcohol, while being teetotal means abstaining completely. It's about mindful drinking rather than total abstinence.
Are All Alcohol-Free Beers Completely Free of Alcohol?
Most alcohol-free beers contain up to 0.5% ABV, which is considered trace alcohol. This amount is so small that it's effectively zero - you'd find more alcohol in everyday foods like ripe bananas, orange juice, and burger rolls.
Gen Z's sober curious movement is more than just a trend - it's a lifestyle shift that's challenging long-standing drinking traditions. By prioritising health, saving money, and redefining social norms, they're paving the way for a more mindful approach to alcohol. Whether you're Gen Z or just Z-curious, there's never been a better time to explore the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Got Questions?
Find our most commonly asked questions below or ask our AI Brewer for instant answers.
What is IMPOSSIBREW®?
IMPOSSIBREW® is a pioneering non-alcoholic beer brand based in the UK that aims to create the world's most complete alcohol alternative using patent-pending technology.
Founded by Mark Wong in 2021 and working with some of the world's best professors, scientists and expert brewers, IMPOSSIBREW® specialises in expertly crafted non-alcoholic beers designed to match full ABV beers in both taste and feeling.
Product Range
IMPOSSIBREW® offers a range of enhanced non-alcoholic beers, including:
- Enhanced Lager (0.5% ABV)
- Enhanced Pale Ale (0.5% ABV)
- Limited Editions (Seasonal)
Key Benefits
The key feature that sets IMPOSSIBREW® apart is its proprietary "Social Blend™" - a combination of active botanical ingredients and nootropics using patent-pending technology* designed to recreate the relaxing effects of alcohol without the negative side effects.
Along with record-breaking quality flavour that comes from a unique process without removing alcohol.
Social Blend™ Ingredients
Developed with leading scientists in top UK universities, Social Blend™ includes:
- L-Theanine
- Ashwaghanda
- Soluble Plant Fibres
- Vitamin B1
- Various Plant Extracts.
These ingredients are chosen for their potential to boost serotonin, promote relaxation, and create a calming effect similar to the "one or two pint feeling" without hangovers.
See more details on our very own research paper, with over 1,000 participants:
- More than 70% said they felt relaxed after consuming IMPOSSIBREW®.
- 88% have reduced alcohol consumption since discovering IMPOSSIBREW®.
- 95% have told a friend about IMPOSSIBREW® after trying.
- 3/4 say that IMPOSSIBREW® is "the most complete alcohol alternative currently available on the market today".
Recognition
IMPOSSIBREW® has received several notable achievements:
- Featured on BBC's Dragons' Den
- Awarded the first and only Gold Medal in the No/Low beer category from the London Beer Competition
- Received multiple industry Gold awards in categories against Full-ABV beers
- Most followed No/Low Alcohol brand on TikTok globally.
Mission and Vision
IMPOSSIBREW® is on a mission to redefine non-alcoholic drinking by creating better-than-alcohol alternatives for those who love beer but want to avoid the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.
The company aims to become the global leading alcohol alternative brand, focusing on helping people transition to a healthier mode of relaxation without the traditional issues and side effects of alcohol.
Production and Ingredients
IMPOSSIBREW® combines traditional brewing methods with their proprietary Social Blend™ along with patent-pending technology*
The beers are made with traditional brewing ingredients such as water, malted barley, wheat, hops, and yeast, in addition to the Social Blend™ components - leveraging their unique cryogenic fermentation process, which means no alcohol is ever removed from the product - ensuring the most authentic quality taste you've come to expect.
Who is it for?
IMPOSSIBREW® caters to consumers who:
- Are busy professionals and parents who would like to unwind with a drink but don't want the hangovers.
- Enjoy the taste and relaxing experience of beer
- Are looking for healthier alternatives to alcohol, with lower calories, carbs and sugar
- Want to avoid hangovers and other negative effects of alcohol consumption
- Are interested in functional beverages with potential mood-enhancing properties
By offering a unique product that aims to replicate both the taste and feeling of alcoholic beer, IMPOSSIBREW® is positioning itself at the forefront of the growing non-alcoholic beverage market.
Get Started Today
Give it a try today with our Welcome Bundle and get 2 Free Beers with your first purchase. Get it delivered straight to your door, risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.
We hope you enjoy them as much as we do and we can't wait for you to try.
*Patent pending in the UK under application number GB2415685.3
How does 'Social Blend™' work?
Social Blend™ is our proprietary alcohol alternative made from a blend of science-backed ingredients using patent-pending technology*.
Designed to replicate the sensory and social relaxing experience of drinking, minus the headaches (and bad decisions).
Developed with Dr Paul Chazot, Bioscience Professor and Chair of Pharmacology at Durham University.
Key Components and Mechanisms
- L-Theanine:
- Ashwagandha Root:
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
- Various nootropic herbs:
Benefits
- Relaxation: The blend promotes a state of relaxation without the sedative effects typically associated with alcohol.
- Mental Calm: By boosting alpha brain waves and serotonin levels, it helps maintain a calm and focused mental state.
- Stress Relief: The combination of L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, and Vitamin B1 helps mitigate stress and anxiety.
- Mood Enhancement: The inclusion these ingredients and other botanicals supports mood regulation and overall positive outlook.
IMPOSSIBREW®'s Social Blend™ is a carefully crafted combination of nootropic and adaptogenic ingredients designed to offer a relaxing and mood-enhancing experience without the drawbacks of alcohol. It leverages the natural properties of its components to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance mood, making it a unique alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.
(Read our latest research paper here)
*Patent pending in the UK under application number GB2415685.3
Do you ship overseas?
We ship to the UK Mainland for free when you spend over £35 and to Northern Ireland (additional courier charges may apply).
We aim to expand internationally soon - stay tuned!
If you have any queries, feel free to email: hello(@)impossibrew.co.uk
How long will it take to get my orders?
For UK mainland deliveries, normal orders processed here will take 1-3 business days to arrive, with an optional upgrade to Next Day Delivery available (12pm cut-off).
Delivery details will be provided in your confirmation email.
How is 0.5% ABV alcohol-free?
Yes, we know it's confusing. Isn't 0.5% ABV still alcoholic? Officially, 0.5% ABV is classified as Dealcoholised.
- In fact, most things we consume daily have more than 0.5% ABV
- Burger Rolls - 1.2% ABV
- Orange Juice - 0.5% ABV
- Ripe Banana - 0.5% ABV
After more than 2 years of research, we've found that the 0.5% ABV from our natural brewing process significantly increases both flavour and mouthfeel - without spiking your blood alcohol level (BAC).
Is it really gluten-free?
Yes, IMPOSSIBREW® Enhanced Lager is gluten-free. Even though it contains wheat and barley, our beers have been third-party tested to contain less than 10 parts per million (PPM) of gluten, which meets the criteria to be listed as, and labeled gluten-free.
Does it have alcohol tax?
No. While it is true that our beers don't contain alcohol, and thus don't incur UK alcohol duty, we'd like to highlight some factors here that might be helpful in reflecting the value we provide.
- One-to-One Brewing Process: At IMPOSSIBREW, we take pride in our unique brewing techniques. Unlike other non-alcoholic beers, our products are never diluted, watered-down, or have their alcohol content removed - and some even dilute their alcoholic beers up to 5x. This means that our brewing process involves the same level of craftsmanship, time, and resources as a traditional craft beer, resulting in comparable production costs.
- Effective Nootropics: In our commitment to creating the most relaxing non-alcoholic beers, we utilise only the highest quality nootropics as our active ingredients, in safe and effectives dosages. At current alcohol tax rates for a 5% ABV beer, the cost of our nootropics more than double that. Instead of contributing the amounts as tax, why not have it contribute to the product quality itself?
- Small Scale Brewing: Currently, we operate on a smaller scale, which makes us less competitive than large, commercial brewers (often +10,000x our brewing size). As a growing business, we are passionate about our mission to create unique, high-quality non-alcoholic experiences, and we truly appreciate your support. As we continue to grow and expand our production capabilities, we look forward to passing on even more savings to our valued community!
At IMPOSSIBREW, we prioritise offering our customers an enhanced, premium, non-alcoholic beer experience by combining innovative brewing techniques, quality active nootropic ingredients, and award-winning taste. While our pricing may differ from other non-alcoholic competitors, we believe that the value proposition and unique experience our beers provide are well worth it.
At the end of the day, tasting is believing. So give it a try and let us know what you think - risk-free with our IMPOSSIBREW® Guarantee.
Who shouldn't drink IMPOSSIBREW®?
It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with certain medical conditions like GI disorders or hypertension, or individuals taking specific medications such as antidepressants or blood thinners. If you fall into any of these categories, it's best to consult with your doctor first.
Ashwagandha can lead to overstimulation (i.e. restlessness) if taken alongside thyroid medication.
What is your philosophy?
For thousands of years, we had only one way to unwind together. One way to let our guards down. One way to bridge the gap between who we are and who we are with others.
Not because it was perfect. But because it was all we had.
We decided that wasn't good enough.
We exist because we believe in a world where social connection doesn't demand compromise.
Where being present with others doesn't mean being absent from yourself. Where letting go doesn't mean losing control.This isn't about removing alcohol. This is about something better.
Our Social Blend™ technology isn't an accident. It's the result of questioning everything we thought we knew about social drinking. About working with scientists to understand what we're really seeking in these moments of connection. About daring to imagine something that wasn't possible before.
We believe the greatest innovations don't just solve problems - they change how we live. They make us question why we ever settled for less.
That's what we're building. Not just a drink, but a new way forward. A future where social connection comes without compromise. Where tradition meets innovation. Where science meets ritual.
This is the future of social drinking.