BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“It’s about the experience; something that gives you pause for thought!”
As we know, 2021 turned out to be more challenging than we thought, and it looks like a challenging start to 2022. With all the upheaval, stress, and anxiety it has led more and more Canadians to turn to alcohol. What is the result of this? Canada is now among the top twenty-five countries with respect to alcohol consumption. It is because of this that a campaign “Dry January” was launched in 2013.
Dry January is now a household term, and the aim of the campaign is to start a new conversation about alcohol, to encourage people to consider and discuss their alcohol consumption and ultimately, to inspire behaviour change following a positive and fun-filled month of sobriety.
Let’s be clear: this challenge is not a detox or for those with dependency issues. Instead, it’s aimed at the huge numbers of people who are steadily drinking a bit too much, too often, (exceeding recommended guidelines of alcohol consumption) without realising the effect it may be having on their health.
Individuals who have taken part in Dry January testify to how great a month off from alcohol can be; they sleep better, have more energy, some lose weight and save money, and others notice improvements in their skin and hair.
With “Dry January” almost coming to a close, many Canadians are ready to put their health first and kick off 2022 with a fresh start. I know, I know; for the wine drinkers out there, this might seem like an impossible task, but this is why Better Rhodes (meaning a clearing in the woods), has found a way to make it easier for you. Now you can enjoy the best alcohol-free drinks, all in one place, and not lose the intimacy and calm that comes from taking a sip of wine, at the end of the day.
Better Rhodes is the largest Online Retailer of Non-Alcoholic Adult beverages in the U.S., and they are ready to serve up Canadians the best non-alcoholic options this January. Better Rhodes, led by CEO Daniel Stiller, is changing the narrative around alcohol by offering a carefully curated marketplace of alcohol-free options that not only taste great, but also align with Canadians’ wellness goals.
With more AF drink alternatives than Amazon, Better Rhodes (https://www.betterrhodes.com/) is the internet’s foremost destination for zero-proof beverages with more than 200 varieties of AF beer, wine and spirits all in one place. The site features expertly curated drink collections and recipes crafted by skilled mixologists to provide customers with an exciting and educational experience from start to finish.
“The process is difficult. It is why they are pricier than the sparkling juice that you find in the stores,” Daniel tells me during our discussion. “Dry January is about wellness and giving our bodies a chance to reset, but there is no reason those thirty-one days have to be dull. We like to think of Dry January as a great opportunity to explore the emerging world of alcohol-free wines, beers, spirits and mocktails that pack all the fun and flavour with none of the hangover.”
“I am not anti-alcohol,” Daniel shared with me. “I am pro health and wellness. It is about giving people options. Alcohol is a carcinogen, and we are having the same dialogue about alcohol as we did about cigarettes a few years back.”
Chris Becker (Founder of Better Rhodes) was looking for satisfying non-alcoholic options, and there were not a lot out there.
“We want our clients to experience great tasting, non-alcoholic beverages. We wanted to make it easy and accessible.”
During our discussion, Daniel brings up a great point to me. Sometimes we will have people in our homes, and the polite thing to do is offer them a drink. What if they can’t drink? Wouldn’t it be nice to have something to offer other than pop or water?
“Let’s make sure that everyone feels invited around the table, and that they don’t have to come and justify their decisions. To be a good host, you have to make everyone feel comfortable, and that means having amazing non-alcoholic beverages. We are here to celebrate you, give you great options. Everything is online right now, and we have free shipping in Ontario!”
I went and took a look at what they had to offer, and I must say that I was excited to see the options:
The Sober January Survival Pack
The pack offers a combination of AF/NA Beers, Pre-mixed cocktails and wine that is sure to satisfy one’s taste buds. $79.99.
The Ultimate Alcohol-Free Kit
From ready-to-drink cans of bubbly, hoppy, sweet, or citrus plus Sexy AF Viirgin (AF Gin) to mix up an AF cocktail, this pack has you covered. $99.99.
The Better Sparkling Kit
Corks still deserve to be popped and glasses clinked! It is the perfect way to sample six different AF bottles of bubbly for any and all occasions. Includes two bottles of Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay, two bottles of Noughty Sparkling Rose and two bottles of Loxton Sparkling Brut. $139.99.
We have enough to keep us apart, let’s do something to bring us all together.