But today we are going to be talking about the alcohol-free industry.

We will explore why it's exploding at the moment and why it works for some people in their sobriety, but not for others.

I mean, that's exactly why, Hamish, I've actually avoided going over this topic in any sober, awkward podcast ever.

Because I'm worried about the controversy of it.

Some people like it, some people don't.

And that's what we're going to try and put forward to you today.

It's your decision.

And we can't influence you and what's right and wrong in this situation.

But that's the reason I've never covered it. I find it quite a controversial topic. and we can't influence you and what's right and wrong in this situation.

But that's the reason I've never covered it. I find it quite a controversial topic within the sober community. And I've tried all sorts over the last few years. So, you know, I've got both sides of the view. I've tried amazing mocktails and non-alcoholic wine that also tastes like cat piss. I've been there. What was the name of that one? because we need to get Alan the case of it for Christmas.

Yeah, I think it was.

No, no, I don't say actually.

They might want to sponsor us. Oh yeah. That's true. Yeah. I won't mention that one. Let's get on with the podcast. Yeah. Very few, or I would guess probably none of us, actually like the taste of alcohol when we first tasted it. I can remember chewing my way through many a can of warm fosters in my early years.

It was more its effect and the fact it was considered cool that first drew us in. Yeah, it was even the name of the beer that I thought was cool. I remember I thought drinking Red Stripe was cool because it was from Jamaica and I thought I just loved reggae. So there's other connotations here. It's not just the drink.

It's actually the look of the drink and the label and what labels call at the time.

There's so many interesting facets to this, aren't there?

So how can an AF drink industry that has all the taste without the buzz be going through such a boom?

By the end of today's episode, we hope that you'll have a better understanding of the benefits and dangers of using alcohol-free drinks in your sobriety.

For some, they're a useful tool to help keep you on the wagon, whereas for others, they

can be the trigger that kickstarts a drinking habit all over again.

Shall we kick this party off with some research? Woo-hoo!

Wouldn't be a sober party without it.

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