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Every year, millions of people around the world sign up for something known as “Dry January” to reset their relationship with alcohol at the start of the year, especially after an indulgent (and rather boozy) celebration at Christmastime. It is a month of frustration and deprivation for many, as efforts to stay off the booze means staying out of the pub and away from your mates as well. Well, it doesn’t have to be so—we’ve found an easy way for you to stick to your Dry January resolutions and have fun!
That’s right, you can still “drink” and complete Dry January! Science has our back: As people become more and more aware of alcoholism as well as the rising rates of people developing allergic reactions to alcohol, solutions for booze-free booze are growing more and more plentiful. The range of alcohol-free drinks available in Hong Kong grows every day, and at McSorley’s pubs, they have rounded up a great selection of non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits, so you can still make an appearance at the pub with your crew, drink all night, and stay alcohol-free.
The New Year’s Resolution is a pop-up alcohol-free drinks menu featuring 0.5 percent ABV beers from Big Drop Brewing Co. and Dutch brewing company Bier VandeStreek, as well as 0.0 percent Carlsberg, Adnams Ghost Ship, and German classic Warsteiner Alkoholfrei. From pale ale to stout and so much in between, these beers are bursting with hoppy flavour to ease your beer withdrawals.
Beer not quite your poison? It’s not just the brew that is now alcohol-free. Down in Australia, the wonderful people at Lyre’s Spirit Co. have created a full range of alcohol-free spirits. After spending years in research and experimenting, Lyre’s exquisite range of alcohol-free, classic spirits was borne from a quest to make the impossible possible. Now here’s an alternative for those who don’t wish to imbibe but still want to enjoy all aspects of an evening soiree. Lyre’s spirits even look and taste just like the original to complete the experience! Drop by the pub for a G&T, a Negroni, a Spritz, or a Manhattan—all alcohol-free and resolution-safe!
Similarly, Seedlip from the UK has taken the world by storm and made its way to the Hong Kong market. Their three varietals—Grove 42, Garden 108, and Spice 94—make for a great range of gin-like cocktails with deliciously adult flavours.
Even vino is getting an alcohol-free makeover; Fre Wines from sunny California are made in the same way as traditional wine, right up to the point when the wine is complete with rich flavour, texture, and excellent balance. Then it gets interesting: state-of-the-art spinning cone technology is used to remove the alcohol while preserving the wine’s delicate aromas and flavours, so Fre Wines are transformed into robust, flavourful wines—minus the alcohol. Wine and dine is back on the cards, even in Dry January!
McSorley’s Ale House
To find out more about McSorley’s Ale House, click here.
Having lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London sure is a fun fact whenever people try to guess Ching’s accent. She loves switching between all these language channels and her ‘mother tongue’ is just determined by how many drinks she’s had for the night! She loves movies, travelling, and exploring cities, from hidden alleys to gourmet dining, so feel free to hit her up if you need any suggestions for dinner!
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