Our Story

2022

From a sudden email from a BBC producer, Mark was invited to pitch on Dragons' Den.

This was a show that meant a lot to him as he grew up with, and learn English from. Despite only trading for 3 months, Mark decided to go in.

Unfortunately, it was too early, and the Dragons rejected him...

(Watch the episode on YouTube here)

2021

Until one professor from Durham University saw what he saw - not just an alcohol alternative, but the future of social drinking.

They began working together, and the first prototype of Social Blend™ was born.

Combining Dr Chazot's neuroscience expertise, Mark's passion in beer and his upbringing in a medical background, everything began to come together...

2020

So he brought the active plants back to the UK and reached out to industry experts for advice to see if anyone would help him...

But everyone said it was IMPOSSIBLE.

Since Mark was not from the UK, he had to get government approval for a Startup Visa to continue, and without any backing, his dream to create a beer he could drink and unwind with would soon end...

2019

But sometimes the biggest setbacks...lead to breakthroughs.

Refusing to give up and missing that relaxing sensation, he began looking for solutions that will allow him to continue drinking...

One day, from a random conversation with a traditional asian herbalist in Hong Kong, he realised that there might be a way to unlock relaxation without alcohol - using plants...

2018

At 22, just as his love for all things beer and brewing began to turn into career, everything changed.

During a routine health check, he was told that his liver was showing signs of severe damage unusual for his age.

Doctors told him that he couldn't drink alcohol again, let alone continue brewing...

2014

But as he grew older and adapted to British culture, he learned that drinking was one of the best ways to facilitate social connection.

Instead of going into medicine as everyone expected as a "family tradition", Mark discovered a different calling - he fell in love with the art of brewing beer - during his time at Durham University...

2009

This is Mark. He was born into a family of doctors in Hong Kong, where everyone expected him to follow their path of medicine.

His parents worked hard so that him and his younger brother could come over to the UK for a better education.

But that meant that they had to come alone at 13 years old, knowing little english as a kid...

Today

Despite the rejection back in 2022, we've since served over 1 million beers, and even though the Dragons didn't invest, 800+ customers decided to back us.

But it is all far from perfect.

We will not stop until we've created the most complete alcohol alternative in the world.

So the pursuit continues...

What others say about us

Featured in Press

I really did feel chilled out after drinking it (and also slept remarkably well)

I must admit, I did feel somewhat looser and more animated after drinking it

We tested one on a friend who didn't even realise it wasn't the real thing.

Felt exactly the same twinkly boost from drinking... but without the fuzzy head.

[They] are killing it in the low-alcohol sector at the moment.

It tastes lovely, it really tastes good.

Deborah Meaden

Give a smooth, relaxing buzz but with no hangovers waiting for you

Designed to imitate the feeling of relaxation induced by traditional beer.

I really did feel chilled out after drinking it (and also slept remarkably well)

I must admit, I did feel somewhat looser and more animated after drinking it

We tested one on a friend who didn't even realise it wasn't the real thing.

Felt exactly the same twinkly boost from drinking... but without the fuzzy head.

[They] are killing it in the low-alcohol sector at the moment.

It tastes lovely, it really tastes good.

Deborah Meaden

Give a smooth, relaxing buzz but with no hangovers waiting for you

Designed to imitate the feeling of relaxation induced by traditional beer.

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