U.S. of N/A: Non-Alcoholic Beer and THC Drinks

How many beverage companies started by making their product in a 53' tractor trailer that traveled the country? That was the question we asked ourselves upon hearing the origin story of the Wynk THC-infused seltzer brand, which initially competed in the state-by-state regulated cannabis industry. In our conversation with co-founder and CEO Angus Rittenburg, we talk about where the brand started, how they have evolved, the ways they're navigating a highly fragmented (and increasingly regulated) category in terms of marketing and distribution, and lastly, how they intend to compete in a space that is only expected to continue explosive growth in 2025. Mentioned in this episode: Wynk Seltzers [https://drinkwynk.com/] Countdown by Wynk [https://drinkwynk.com/products/countdown-launch-pack] Ceria Brewing [https://ceriabrewing.com/] (brief mention) BERO Brewing [https://berobrewing.com/] (brief mention)

In a category still getting its footing in the consumer consciousness, creating a perfectly flavored cocktail infused with THC/CBD is a task with many layers to it. So explains today's guest, Ben Kennedy, who along with his wife Kristen founded Fable Libations, a Denver-based brand in the growing hemp-derived beverage space. In our conversation Ben talks about how his background in advertising and marketing helped him lay the groundwork for building a brand, and the meticulous process he and his team followed to create the right combination of flavors. He also touches on the challenges in creating a recipe not based on an alcohol counterpart, but a unique drink that requires consumer education and adoption. Finally, we touch on the many legislative changes taking place that impact decisions around distribution and product development, and what's ahead for Fable. Mentioned in this episode: Fable Libations [https://drinkfable.com/]

How can a mountain town, hundreds of miles from the ocean, be expected to defend itself from a major hurricane? That's what the residents of Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains had to be asking themselves on Friday, September 27th, the day Hurricane Helene took a devastating path through the region. In this episode we return to the story of our first-ever N/ATION road trip back in February. On that day we experienced the AVL that we know and love; clear blue skies, and a cold, crisp air that only the mountains can deliver. We happily strolled through The Marquee during that trip in the artist-haven River Arts District, also home to the Southeast's first non-alcoholic bottle shop, NoLo [https://heynolo.com/]. Fast forward to today. We sit down for a remote discussion with NoLo's new owners Jennifer and Jason Phillips, who had helmed the business for all of 57 days before Helene's arrival. In our conversation we talk about what the situation on the ground looks like one month out from the storm, which decimated an estimated 80% of the structures in the River Arts District, including The Marquee, as part of a wider impact to WNC. We also talk about the value of community in times like these, and how that has helped them begin the recovery process. Lastly, we talk about what's next for NoLo as well as the city after the "biblical" event. While the storm may have washed away the physical store, it hasn't dampened the Phillips' passion for serving the sober and sober curious community in their beloved town. Links/Resources for those who would like to responsibly visit or support Western North Carolina:  * VisitNC.com [https://www.visitnc.com/advisory/cAdA/hurricane-helene-travel-advisory]  * DriveNC.gov [https://drivenc.gov/] (up-to-date road conditions and closures) * Explore Asheville [https://always.exploreasheville.com/love-asheville]  (shop, support and donate to AVL businesses) * Bright Barrel Brewing [https://bright-barrel.com/] (fellow WNC NA business now helping to supply water) * Jeter Mountain Farm [https://www.jetermountainfarm.com/] Recommended options to support the local community (from NoLo):   * MANNA FoodBank - Asheville NC [https://www.linkedin.com/company/manna-foodbank---asheville-nc/] * Brother Wolf Animal Rescue [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brother-wolf-animal-rescue/] * World Central Kitchen [https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-central-kitchen/] (still on the ground feeding WNC every day) * American Red Cross North Carolina [https://www.linkedin.com/company/redcrossnc/] (home and disaster support for WNC) * RADA Hurricane Relief Fund [https://www.riverartsdistrict.com/donate/] (River Arts District Artists, Inc.) * Always Asheville Fund [https://always.exploreasheville.com/always-asheville-fund] (helps small independent travel/hospitality businesses) * Global Empowerment Mission Small Business Relief Fund [https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/donate/mission/hurricane-helene-fund/] (You Tube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN0-1aY3kGM] video) * Rebuild Marquee Asheville [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-restore-marquee-for-ashevilles-artists?] (NoLo's original space, home to 300 artists)  How to support NoLo: * Follow them on IG [https://www.instagram.com/hey_nolo/] * Visit their website [https://heynolo.com/], and subscribe to Nolo News * Visit WNC and stock your VRBO/Airbnb with NA. Let NoLo help [https://heynolo.com/pages/planning-a-trip-to-wnc-get-in-touch-with-nolo]!

Cannabis beverages have exploded in the market, not coincidentally just as consumer preferences seem to be shifting away from alcohol. In today's episode we're joined by Lehua Brands CEO Sierra Elaina, herself a veteran of the alcohol industry having formerly held key leadership roles in sales and marketing for Diageo. In our conversation we talk about what's driving the category, how the cannabis industry is recovering from prior setbacks, parallels that exist to growth in the NA sector, and lastly, what the future of these beverages may look like. Mentioned in this episode: Lehua Brands [https://www.lehuabrands.com/]

If you've enjoyed an American craft beer over the last few decades, you've benefited from the efforts of our guest today. Keith Villa founded Blue Moon Brewing Company for Miller Coors back in 1995, which would of course become an iconic brand that helped usher in a new era of craft beer that we know today. His trailblazing efforts in craft beer didn't stop there, though, as he would start Ceria Brewing in 2018. Ceria is known for two things. One, launching a very early-stage, cannabis-infused beer. When they had to pivot due to being so early to market, they currently brew one of, if not the only, completely zero-proof beers made in the U.S. In our conversation we talk about what microbrewing looked like in the mid 90s, before fast-forwarding to the last decade in brewing. Mentioned in this episode: Ceria Brewing [https://ceriabrewing.com/] Blue Moon Brewing [https://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/] Brewing With Cannabis [https://www.amazon.com/Brewing-Cannabis-Using-THC-Beer/dp/1938469690/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10X4F4KQ3DKQM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Drm614vkjJ9I6AiNQYWxJg.L1a6lzHPb9gR6tS6gT8eONeMaFGmyuOadvmpkbyZ0Rk&dib_tag=se&keywords=brewing+with+cannabis+villa&qid=1727968517&sprefix=brewing+with+cannabis+villa%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1] (book)