Few people have shaped the mindful drinking movement more than Derek Brown. He's the Co-Founder/President of Drink Company and the Mindful Drinking Fest, the latter being the largest event of its kind in the country. A celebrated bartender and sommelier turned NA pioneer, Derek has since consulted on high-profile non-alcoholic programs for Dōgon and Hilton, and judged some of the world's most prestigious food and beverage competitions. 

Key Topics:

• Derek's path from bartender and sommelier to becoming a leading voice in mindful drinking.
• The most common excuse operators give for not taking NA seriously, and why he thinks many restaurants still struggle with their zero proof menus.
• What makes a world-class non-alcoholic drink, from a veteran competition judge's perspective (hint: it's not just what tastes good to him).
• How the industry can hold space for both moderators and the fully sober without collapsing the distinction.
• The rise of "proxy" brands redefining the cocktail rather than imitating it.
• How we can fully "normalize" ordering zero proof options, and become an established part of the mainstream.

Mentioned in this episode:

Drink Company

Mindful Drinking Fest

Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide To No-and-Low Cocktails (Derek's book)

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Today's guest on The Quiet Pour is Vicente Ruiz, whose relationship with alcohol was shaped early by family gatherings well before he realized it had stopped serving him. Those experiences caused him to decide to stop drinking alcohol entirely.

In this episode, Vicente talks about what led him to sobriety, and how that shift sparked an unexpected career move — first helping NA beverage brands with distribution, then co-founding his own kava beverage company with a close friend.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lacuna Kava Bar (Phoenix, AZ)

Better Days Kava Bevs

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Unless something changes, a looming November 12th deadline threatens to upend the entire industry surrounding psychoactive hemp. With such an existential threat on the horizon, we asked Dani Baranowski, Executive Director of the Florida Hemp Beverage Coalition and founder of Highspitality, to join us and break down the high-stakes legislative battle that will ultimately decide the future of hemp-derived THC drinks.

We explore the reality of a federal "total THC" cap, what lawmakers get wrong about hemp, and how these shifts threaten the rising crossover between non-alcoholic and functional wellness beverages.

Key Topics:

• The 0.4mg Cliff: The federal push that could decimate the category and whether an eleventh-hour fix is realistic.
• Educating Lawmakers: The biggest misconceptions legislators have about hemp versus traditional cannabis.
• The Three-Tier Debate: Whether regulating hemp beverages like alcohol protects consumers or simply hands control to a frequent adversary.
• The NA & Hemp Convergence: How a hemp ban directly impacts the wider non-alcoholic and mindful drinking movement.

Mentioned in this episode:

Florida Hemp Beverage Coalition

Highspitality

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Today's guest on The Quiet Pour is Cindy Pokriefka, an avid (and accomplished) distance runner who re-discovered the sport in her mid-twenties, having completed six marathons in the past six years.

In this episode, Cindy shares her thoughts on how running helped her during COVID, why it's so important to mental health, and how mindful drinking has helped her be present in social situations without feeling like she has to drink alcohol. She also shares her favorite (and simple) sparkly NA beverage that anyone can easily create. 

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Referenced in this episode:

Ginger Gone Running Podcast

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Our next guest on The Quiet Pour is no stranger to the craft beer scene, particularly in his hometown of Chicago. Dave was an early adopter of NA options when the quality took a big jump a few years ago, and he likes to rotate them in with his full-octane brews.

In this episode, Dave shares his thoughts on why he enjoys talking about beer (listen to his podcast, Beer In Front), what's in his fridge, and how mindful drinking has impacted his drinking habits. 

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The occasions for non-alcoholic beer are ever expanding, but so, too, is the competition. Best Day Brewing founder Tate Huffard has spent the last five years working to build a brand to last. We dig into what's been the secret sauce to their growth, from the brewing process to the retail shelf, and what has helped them to stand out in an ever-crowded field.

We cover Tate's surf-culture origin story behind BDB, how the consumer occasion for NA beer has shifted since 2021, and where Tate sees the brand fitting in a market that's increasingly defined by wellness and fitness positioning, or celebrity fame.

Key Topics:

• The Founder Story: Why a group of surfers missing morning sessions became the unlikely starting point for one of the country's few NA-only craft breweries with national distribution.
• The Evolving Occasion: How and where people are actually reaching for NA beer in 2026, and why the answer might surprise you.
• Crowded Market, Distinct Identity: With fitness brands and celebrity labels flooding the space, where does Best Day's long-term positioning actually live?
• Cracking Retail and Hospitality: The misconceptions distributors still hold, and how close we really are to seeing significant NA variety on restaurant menus.
• What's Next: After the launch of Wild American Pilsner, what's ahead for this Sausalito-based brand?

Mentioned in this episode:

Best Day Brewing

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For our very first Quiet Pour conversation we didn't have to go very far, and yes, there's a story there. Meagan Swingle (IG: untilallcanread) has always been happiest when she's outdoors near a lake or somewhere in nature, and in the past, certain social situations had a way of making her feel like she needed to be someone that she wasn't. 

In this episode, Meagan shares her current go-to NA staples (i.e. what's always in the fridge), opens up on changing her relationship with alcohol, and explains how a clearer head has low-key provided even more benefits than she ever expected. 

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 What does mindful drinking actually look like in real life? The Quiet Pour is a new audio-only series featuring short, honest conversations with everyday people across the country. From going fully sober to simply cutting back or putting healthier drinks into their body, each voice will share a personal perspective on how a changing relationship with alcohol, or embracing functional beverages, has shaped their health, mindset, and daily life.

These are not experts or influencers, just real people talking about what’s changed. More clarity, better performance, improved confidence, deeper presence, and a stronger sense of self.

This trailer offers a first taste of what’s to come.

Real people. Mindful drinking. One conversation at a time. 

Want to be featured? Let us know at nationbeer.com/contact

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NA bottle shops have become an integral part of the moderation movement. After a creative career in video and production, Obreanna McReynolds and her husband Dean Peterson took a leap in 2024 to open what is now Los Angeles’ largest non-alcoholic bottle shop. In this conversation, we explore how Burden of Proof became a cornerstone of the San Gabriel Valley, moving beyond the binary of "sober vs. drinker" to create a premium retail experience for all.

We dive into topics ranging from the strategic choice of South Pasadena as a hub for the movement, to the complexities of navigating California’s evolving hemp-derived beverage regulations. Obreanna also shares her vision for the next iteration of the store, and how she curates a world of adaptogens, nootropics, and premium NA wines for a diverse neighborhood clientele.

Key Takeaways from our conversation:

• NA For All. Why Burden of Proof isn’t about condemning alcohol, but providing a sophisticated alternative for those looking to drink less, not just those who don't drink at all.
• Navigating the Functional Universe. Are customers more focused on flavor profiles, or specific physiological effects through botanicals and adaptogens?
• The Small Business Tightrope. Balancing the intimate feel of a neighborhood shop with pursuing growth amid shifting economics of the niche non-alcoholic market.
• NA Wine, Anyone? Why Obreanna sees this category as particularly poised for growth.

Mentioned in this episode:

Burden of Proof

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After a corporate career rooted in fashion and media, Aplós Co-Founder and CEO David Fudge is now helping to move the non-alcoholic industry beyond simple imitation. In this conversation, we explore how Aplós is creating a sophisticated new flavor language using ingredients like yuzu, basil, and dandelion, designed to act as a lead in premium cocktails rather than a 1:1 alcohol proxy.

We dive into topics like the strategic choice of using THC-free, broad-spectrum hemp in their first offering, to how the brand’s serene, minimalist aesthetic serves as a much-needed antidote to modern, high-stress culture. David also shares a little about the Aplós roadmap for 2026 and his vision for a "bar of the future" that prioritizes intentional rituals over intoxication.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Lead" Spirit: Why Aplós was built to perform like a primary spirit in complex mixology, developed alongside mixology legend Lynnette Marrero.
• Function Without the High: The decision to lean into broad-spectrum hemp (0% THC) for its stress-relieving properties while (thus far) avoiding the psychoactive effects of THC.
• Cracking the Balance: A look at the R&D behind their spirits versus their RTD (ready-to-drink) cans, and which one was harder to break the code on.
• 2026 Growth: Scaling through "long-game" brand building and moving from DTC roots to a broader footprint in retail and Michelin-starred hospitality.

Mentioned in this episode:

Aplós 

We'd like to thank our sponsor, Go Brewing! Use code NATION15 to get 15% off your order on either their delicious N/A beer, or their THC brand, Easy Man. 

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