
I'm not a big drinker. I'll maybe have 1-2 drinks a week... or even a fortnight.
However, while I may not consume a lot of alcohol, when I do have a drink, I enjoy it. And at a recent night out at the theatre, I was struck by an observation.
As I lined up at the bar before the show began, I considered my liquid options: a standard conundrum between gin and tonic, or wine. Then, as my eyes flicked across to the beers list, I noticed something rather surprising.
There were more zero alcohol offerings than the beer and cider list.
While I'm wasn't entirely surprised - I have witnessed the steady creep of zero alcoholic options across shelves at the local liquor shop, I was taken aback to see it as a dominant offering.
And I've got to be honest with you: I've long had a little scoff at the zero alc movement. But pause the outrage and hear me out...
I understand (and encourage) the need for non-alcoholic options on a menu. Of course! But going to a party and drinking a zero alcoholic drink, masquerading as alcohol by way of packaging or product, just feels like...another fad.
Is it peer pressure, to keep up the appearance of alcohol consumption? (And really, I'm not mocking here, because I know that pressure is real.)
You see, a few months ago, I went to an event, and I decided I would skip the booze. My health hadn't been the best, so I had been advised to steer clear of all things joyful: gluten, dairy and alcohol.