Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Which organizations and influencers in the alcohol-free and recovery advocacy space are worth partnering with?
Members work with several established organizations and influencers in the no/low alcohol space. **Club Soda** — a recognized advocacy organization in the alcohol-free space; members can request an introduction to Laura. **Alcohol Change UK (ACUK)** — the charity behind the Dry January campaign and a major player in alcohol awareness; they hold the trademark to "Dry January" and actively enforce it, so avoid using that term in marketing without permission. Members note they are strict about trademark protection. Several members report knowing micro-influencers active in the alcohol-free space and are willing to make introductions. When partnering, be aware that established campaigns like Dry January are trademark-protected and the organizations behind them take enforcement seriously — using their branded terms in advertising without permission can result in cease-and-desist communications.
Where can I find market research data on premium soft drinks and alcohol-free beverages in Europe?
Members recommend a mix of free and paid sources for European premium soft drink and AFB market data: - **Mintel reports** — available free of charge through the British Library; noted as comprehensive for this category - **AI tools** (ChatGPT, Bard, Bing AI) — mentioned as useful starting points for initial research Members also suggest tapping industry connections: one noted a contact working with premium AFB brands (e.g. Baldoria from Little Red Door) who may offer insights into category trends and product ranges.
Which contract bottlers can handle small-volume alcohol-free (AF) production runs?
Members recommend **Black Bridge** (contact Ashley Black Bridge) as a reliable contract bottler capable of handling AF production. For smaller volumes in the 5–10k range, direct outreach to bottlers with AF capability is essential, as not all operators routinely handle alcohol-free runs. Members also note that glass sourcing can be challenging for small orders; if you need standard sizes like 5cl, 200ml, or 700ml screwcap bottles, it's worth asking your network directly—members sometimes have excess stock available (Apotheker and Chiara Glass formats have been spotted in members' warehouses).