ANA Insider

Insights, news, events, and jobs for the adult non-alcoholic beverage industry

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A Innovative Growth Lever to Accelerate the Expansion of ANA

One of the more interesting growth levers I've come across this year is something most ANA brands (or beverage grands in general) don't know exists: a way to print cans that didn't exist in this form until recently.

I spent some time with Mike Bedrosian, COO and Director of Sales at Fast Track Packaging, discussing the direct-to-can digital printing process his team has built over the past two years. It lets brands order exactly what they need - a few hundred cans, if that's all a launch requires - with no plate costs and turnaround measured in days rather than months. One brand he described started with a first order of 30,000 cans. Years later, they were ordering in the hundreds of millions.

What makes this a growth story for the ANA category, not just an operations story for one company, is what it makes possible. A brand can test a new flavor, run a small batch tied to a single event, or adjust a formula mid-year - all without the capital commitment that used to keep smaller, self-funded ANA brands from taking those risks at all. That's the kind of infrastructure a growing category needs: not just more brands entering, but more room for the ones already here to experiment their way toward what works.

I talked with Mike about how his team is helping ANA brands scale production without front-loading the risk - and what that could mean for how many new flavors, formats, and limited runs we start seeing on shelves. Read how Fast Track built a process that grows with a brand instead of forcing it to guess its volume upfront.

​Marcos Salazar​
CEO, Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA)

Member News:

• Athletic Brewing Co. has opened applications for its 2026 Two For The Trails grant, inviting nonprofits with shovel-ready 2027 projects to apply for funding to protect, restore, and improve outdoor spaces. (Athletic Brewing Co.)​
• Free AF has expanded into 900 Kroger stores across the United States, marking another major milestone in the brand's growing retail presence following its Whole Foods launch earlier this year. (LinkedIn)
• Everleaf has once again been recognized in the Class Bar Magazine Report 2026, earning top rankings from the UK's leading bartenders and bars among the industry's best-selling and favorite brands. (LinkedIn)
• Free AF was featured on ABC7 Los Angeles during National Picnic Month, showcasing its alcohol-free cocktails as the perfect companion for summer picnics and Dry July celebrations. (LinkedIn)​
• Athletic Brewing Co. topped Tasting Table's ranking of the best low-calorie non-alcoholic beers, with Upside Dawn Golden earning the highest praise. (Tasting Table)
• Free AF has partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to launch The Free Project, a new initiative bringing together influential voices to explore the meaning of freedom and personal growth. (LinkedIn)
• Monday Morning has offered a first look inside its new brewery in North County San Diego as it prepares to welcome guests to its dedicated non-alcoholic beer destination. (LinkedIn)​
• Free Spirits founder Milan Martin joined the Pour Decisions Podcast to discuss the rise of non-alcoholic spirits, why many brands have disappeared, and the resilient mindset behind the company’s long-term success. (The Pour Decisions Podcast)​
• Noughty will sponsor Elevate at Benham Park, bringing its premium alcohol-free wines to the event. (LinkedIn)​
• Mash Gang earned national exposure on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, where its alcohol-free Chug IPA received glowing feedback during an international beer review. (BBC)​
• Glimmer Wine has officially begun shipping its premium dealcoholized sparkling wine across the United States, marking a major step in the Canadian brand’s expansion. (LinkedIn)​
• RationAle Brewing has expanded the availability of its Mexican Lager with the launch of a new 19.2-ounce can. (LinkedIn)​
• ABV Technology has acquired Bauhaus Brew Labs and plans to reopen the Minneapolis taproom as a multi-format beverage destination featuring craft beer alongside non-alcoholic options. (The Brewer Magazine)​
• A roundup of the best canned non-alcoholic drinks highlights brands like Mingle Mocktails and Mockly for delivering flavorful alcohol-free alternatives that don't sacrifice the drinking experience. (The Daily Beast)​

ANA Industry News:

• Restaurants are discovering that thoughtfully crafted mocktail programs can boost profitability by increasing check sizes, attracting a broader customer base, and enhancing the overall dining experience. (Inc.)​
• New research suggests that near beers and mocktails may help some young adults reduce or quit alcohol by offering satisfying alternatives in social settings. (RAND)​
• Non-alcoholic beverages were among the biggest winners during the World Cup, posting double-digit sales growth alongside premixed cocktails. (Food Dive)
• Industry leaders say the next wave of growth for adult non-alcoholic beverages will depend on stronger on-premise execution, distributor support, and strategic investment across the category. (BevNET)
• As the beverage industry becomes more competitive, brands that prioritize original creative marketing over bigger advertising budgets are better positioned to stand out and earn consumer attention. (Beer Crunchers)
• Soft Bar believes lasting success in alcohol-free hospitality comes from creating welcoming spaces, engaging events, and a strong sense of community rather than simply serving non-alcoholic drinks. (BevNET)
• Canada's alcohol consumption has reached its lowest level in two decades as sales of non-alcoholic beverages continue to accelerate. (MSN)
• San Diego craft breweries are expanding into non-alcoholic beer as consumer demand for alcohol-free options continues to grow. (The San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Major brewing companies are increasingly investing in alcohol-free beer as they see the category evolving into a billion-dollar growth opportunity. (MarketWatch)
• Non-alcoholic beer continues to gain market share across Europe, with one in every twelve beers consumed now alcohol-free despite overall declines in beer production and consumption. (ESM Magazine)
• New research shows many consumers still hide their alcohol-free drink choices due to lingering social stigma, highlighting an opportunity to further normalize moderation. (Morning Advertiser)
• South Korea's growing popularity of sober raves and alcohol-free beer reflects a broader cultural shift toward mindful drinking and new social experiences. (The Drinks Business)
• The Hudson Valley's first dedicated non-alcoholic bottle shop has opened, marking another milestone in the expansion of alcohol-free retail. (Chronogram)
• Food safety experts highlight how carbonation, hops, acidity, and precise brewing controls help ensure non-alcoholic beer remains safe and microbiologically stable. (Food Manufacturing)
• Baltimore's sober curious movement continues to gain momentum as bars and retailers expand their selection of non-alcoholic beverages to meet growing demand. (WBAL-TV)
• Warsaw has hosted Europe's first dedicated non-alcoholic beer festival, highlighting Poland's growing role in the rapidly expanding alcohol-free beer market. (TVP World)
• Festivals are becoming valuable opportunities for 0% alcohol brands to create memorable consumer experiences and build lasting brand awareness. (The Drum)
• European winemakers are increasingly turning to non-alcoholic wine as they respond to declining wine consumption and changing consumer preferences. (DW)
• New Hampshire Liquor & Wine outlets are expanding their alcohol-free offerings to meet growing demand from sober-curious consumers, particularly Gen Z. (The Boston Globe)
• The BBPA is urging the UK government to raise the legal threshold for alcohol-free beer to 0.5% ABV, bringing it in line with international standards and supporting category growth. (Drinks Retailing News)​
• UK producers are calling for a clearer definition of "alcohol-free" beer, pushing to align labeling rules with the 0.5% ABV standard used across much of Europe. (BeverageDaily)​
• As non-alcoholic beverages become a mainstream choice, bars and restaurants are shifting from promoting moderation alone to creating premium, occasion-driven experiences for alcohol-free consumers. (Brewbound)
• Alcohol-free beverages are increasingly establishing their own identity as brands innovate beyond replicating alcoholic drinks to create unique flavors and drinking occasions. (BeverageDaily)
• Strong flagship products can give non-alcoholic beverage brands a competitive edge by simplifying operations, improving consistency, and driving long-term business growth beyond customer recognition. (Beer Crunchers)
• While consumers continue to drink less alcohol, low-ABV spirits have been slower to gain traction due to production, positioning, and consumer perception challenges. (Slate)
• As more Americans cut back on alcohol, functional beverages are gaining momentum by combining wellness benefits with the growing demand for alcohol-free alternatives. (Yahoo Finance)
• Gen Z is reshaping the UK's social scene by choosing alcohol-free activities, prompting pubs and hospitality businesses to rethink how they attract younger consumers. (CNN)
• South Korean brewers are using a range of innovative production methods to meet growing demand for alcohol-free beer as the country's sober curious movement continues to expand. (The Chosun Daily)​
• San Diego's craft brewing industry is increasingly embracing non-alcoholic beer, with established breweries launching alcohol-free offerings and new businesses emerging to help local beverage producers enter the fast-growing category. (San Diego Beer News)​

Webinars + Events:

Beyond the Billion: How Adult NA Is Rewriting the Beverage Occasion

Date: August 5, 2026 Time: 12:00 PM ET Where: Online (Zoom) Host Kaleigh Theriault​

Join Kaleigh Theriault, Beverage Alcohol Thought Leadership expert at NielsenIQ (NIQ), as she explores how evolving consumer behaviors are reshaping the adult non-alcoholic beverage market. Learn how moderation, premiumization, and changing purchase occasions are driving growth across alcohol-free beer, wine, spirits, RTDs, and emerging alternatives, along with the retail, eCommerce, and on-premise opportunities shaping the category's next phase.

ANBA Member Jobs:

Featured: National Account Director ​(Remote, USA)

Mingle Beverage Company is looking for a Director of National Account Sales to lead its most strategic retail partnerships across the U.S., driving revenue growth, distribution expansion, and in-store execution as the adult non-alcoholic beverage category continues to evolve. This high-impact remote role will work closely with major national retailers and cross-functional teams to strengthen Mingle's market presence and shape the brand's future growth.

• ​​Athletic Brewing Co.​ - Production Brewer (On-site, San Diego, CA)
• ​​Athletic Brewing Co.​ - Regional Sales Manager - Intermountain (On-site, Denver, CO)
• ​Athletic Brewing Co.​ - Content Creator Intern (On-site, San Diego, CA)
• ​Athletic Brewing Co.​ - Compliance Manager (On-site, Milford, CT)
• ​Athletic Brewing Co.​ - Associate Counsel (On-site, Milford, CT)
• ​​Athletic Brewing Co.​ - Financial Analyst (On-site, Milford, CT)

The Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA) is a global trade organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and accelerating the growth of the adult non-alcoholic beverage industry. We connect producers and industry partners with the insights, resources, and community they need to thrive in this rapidly expanding category.