We received that question last week. And that's good idea for a new blog post. We're always searching for the latest non-alcoholic beers. For gems you won't find in the supermarket. Because what's more fun than discovering something new every time? Many of our customers feel the same way. You love to taste, look for new surprises, and often check in these beers on Untappd. We sometimes say we're the Jamin of non-alcoholic beer . What they do with candy, we do with non-alcoholic beer . Always searching for something new and special. Read more about how Jamin works here . We are the Jamin among alcohol-free beers From the very beginning in 2020, we saw the need for innovation. That's why we quickly launched the New Beer Subscription: every month (or every other month ) you receive 10 to 12 new non-alcoholic beers at home. This makes a lot of people happy, and we even ship them all over, from Portugal to Sweden. But how do we find all these new beers? We do this in several ways. We follow countless breweries on social media and keep a close eye on new releases. We also get a lot of tips from you, especially after vacations. For instance when someone in Spain or Austria has discovered a unique non-alcoholic beer, they report that to us. And brewers themselves regularly contact us with their latest creations. And if the beer is delicious, we certainly won't say no. In the early years, we drove across the country ourselves to pick up new beers. This even resulted in our own book: Craft Beer . These days, thankfully, breweries usually supply us themselves. And we import foreign non-alcoholic beers together with regular partners. We often get tips about new brews through them as well. We buy the more common beers from wholesalers, primarily for our international customers, who can't find these brands in their own countries. It's always a quest to find something new, but that's precisely what makes it fun. Especially the tasting 😉. And as long as breweries keep innovating, we'll keep surprising you with the tastiest and most unique non-alcoholic beers you can buy. And tips are always welcome. Email them to: info@ondernulpuntvijf.com

Everyone's familiar with Dry January by now, but did you know that October has its own alcohol-free month? Sober October began as an Australian initiative and grew into a campaign in the United Kingdom to raise money for cancer research. It's now become a global moment to be mindful of alcohol consumption. No lists or finger-wagging, just a refreshing reset at a time when the days are getting shorter and your body could use some extra energy. From Ocsober to a global movement The first time Sober October emerged, it was still called Ocsober . It was organized in Australia to show young people that you can have fun without alcohol. Shortly after, Macmillan Cancer Support in the United Kingdom adopted the idea, under the name Go Sober for October . Participants give up drinking for a month and raise money for people with cancer. This social and community aspect gives the movement extra momentum. These days, Sober October also focuses on personal goals: healthier living, better sleep, or simply reflecting on your relationship with alcohol. Why a month without alcohol is worth it Those who participate often quickly notice a difference. Without alcohol, your sleep pattern improves and you wake up feeling more refreshed. Your skin looks healthier, and by skipping the empty calories of alcohol, you'll lose weight. Many people also experience greater mental peace. You don't have to fight off hangovers, and you have more energy to exercise, read, or simply enjoy your day. These aren't promises that work out exactly the same for everyone, but almost everyone who participates sees benefits that motivate them to stick with it for longer. The social aspect What makes Sober October so much more fun is when you do it together. Friends or colleagues challenging each other, communities sharing experiences, or campaigns connecting participants with a good cause. This not only makes it easier to persevere but also creates a sense of community. While October is normally filled with drinks and dinners, a different kind of conversation suddenly arises: what does it actually feel like to not drink for a while? Alcohol-free is no longer boring One of the reasons Sober October is becoming increasingly popular is the enormous selection of non-alcoholic alternatives. Where you used to have to settle for a standard non-alcoholic pilsner, you can now choose from IPAs, stouts, wheat beers, and even non-alcoholic sours. At ONP5 , that's what it's all about: showing that non-alcoholic beer can be flavorful and surprising. This makes participating in Sober October less of a chore and more of an opportunity to discover something new. Reflection afterwards The beauty of a month without alcohol is that you'll have a better understanding of its effects afterward. You might feel so good that you decide to stay alcohol-free more often. Or perhaps you'll find yourself drinking more mindfully: not automatically, but only when it truly benefits you. In that sense, Sober October isn't just a temporary challenge, but also an opportunity to permanently change your habits. The rise of Sober Curious in the Netherlands In the Netherlands, Sober October is gaining ground, thanks in part to the rise of the so-called Sober Curious movement. More and more people are consciously choosing to abstain from alcohol (temporarily), not because they have to, but because they're curious about the benefits. How do you sleep without alcohol? How do you feel after a few weeks without a drink or glass of wine? It's this curiosity that's driving Sober October's growth in the Netherlands, even though it's not yet as widely organized as in the United Kingdom.

There are many misconceptions about non-alcoholic beer. Is non-alcoholic beer healthy? Does it make you gain weight? And what about the sugar content? Time to set the record straight and debunk the myths. Myth 1: Drinking a lot of 0.5% beer will get you drunk Fact:  The alcohol content is so tiny that your blood alcohol level won’t rise. Your liver breaks it down immediately. You can safely drink non-alcoholic beer without any risk of intoxication or a positive breath test. Myth 2: Non-alcoholic beer makes you fat Fact:  Alcohol is the main culprit for weight gain, not beer without alcohol. Alcohol contains 7 kcal per gram (almost as much as fat). A regular 5% beer quickly adds up to 150 kcal. A non-alcoholic beer often has only half that. So: non-alcoholic beer is lower in calories and does not make you fat . Myth 3: Non-alcoholic beer contains a lot of sugar Fact:  Non-alcoholic beer typically contains less than 2 grams of sugar per 100 ml. These are residual sugars that haven’t been fermented into alcohol. That’s slightly more than regular beer, which contains virtually no sugar because it’s fully converted into alcohol. But it’s still far less than soft drinks or fruit juice (over 10 g/100 ml). If you’re wondering, “how much sugar is in non-alcoholic beer?” the answer is: usually very little. Myth 4: Non-alcoholic beer has no taste Fact:  Modern brewers add extra hops, fruit, or spices to compensate for the absence of alcohol. Today, there are IPAs, wheat beers, stouts, and pilsners that taste almost as good as their alcoholic counterparts. Non-alcoholic beer tastes great – we challenge you to a taste test. Myth 5: Non-alcoholic beer is only for people who can’t handle alcohol Fact:  Non-alcoholic beer is enjoyed by a wide range of people: athletes, health-conscious drinkers, foodies, and those who simply want to cut back on alcohol. Many beer sommeliers also appreciate non-alcoholic beer – especially because it’s more technically challenging to brew well. Myth 6: Non-alcoholic beer is just a hype Fact:  The market has been growing by double digits for years. Supermarkets and bars are expanding their offerings. Brewers are investing seriously in non-alcoholic options. This isn’t a passing fad – it’s a permanent category. Myth 7: Non-alcoholic beer is only for people who have drunk alcohol before Fact:  People who have never drunk alcohol also enjoy non-alcoholic beer. Think of young people, athletes, or those who avoid alcohol for religious or health reasons. It’s a legitimate beverage in its own right. Myth 8: Non-alcoholic beer is only for pregnant women or designated drivers Fact:  That image is outdated. Nowadays, people drink non-alcoholic beer because they want to be more mindful with alcohol, start or end an evening more lightly, or simply because they like the taste. Myth 9: You shouldn’t drink non-alcoholic beer after exercising Fact:  Quite the opposite. Non-alcoholic beer is often isotonic, which means it quickly replenishes fluids and minerals. Some varieties even contain added magnesium, protein, or vitamins. This makes non-alcoholic beer a good recovery drink after sports. Myth 10: Pregnant women shouldn’t drink non-alcoholic beer Fact:  Here we make an exception. During pregnancy, we recommend 0.0% beer . Better safe than sorry. While breastfeeding, beer up to 0.5% is not a problem. If you’re searching “ non-alcoholic beer pregnancy ,” always go for 0.0. Myth 11: Drinking 0.5% beer can cause liver cirrhosis Fact:  No. Liver cirrhosis is caused by years of heavy alcohol consumption (daily >20–30 grams of pure alcohol). 100 ml of 0.5% beer contains only 0.4 g of alcohol – a fraction of a normal beer. It’s physically impossible to drink harmful amounts. In short Non-alcoholic beer is full of flavor, for everyone, and fits into a conscious lifestyle. The myths are outdated, and the facts speak for themselves. Whether you’re looking for a low-calorie option, a refreshing IPA, or a 0.0% after sports – there’s always a perfect choice. Do you have a question or dilemma about non-alcoholic beer yourself? Let us know – maybe we’ll dedicate our next blog to it.