Non-alcoholic beverages see increased popularity in West Virginia

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Non-alcoholic beverages have had a spike in popularity over recent years, a trend that hasn’t gone unnoticed by bars and alcohol distributors around West Virginia. 

According to a Gallup study, alcohol consumption and drinking habits have been declining. However, a separate study from Attest finds that interest in non-alcoholic beverages has been on the rise, especially with Gen-Z drinkers.

“The new generation is changing a lot of things for everyone,” said Rob Davis, owner of Brickside Bar and Grille in Bridgeport.

To keep up with the demand, local bars and alcohol distributors have been offering more “0% ABV” or “NA” drinks.

“In the last few years, it has been changing. We went from hardly any, now we carry four different types of non-alcoholic beers and a whole line of mixers,” Davis said. “Now they’re making substitutes for everything.”

Davis shared a few thoughts on why alcohol-free options have increased in popularity. 

“Well, a lot of people don’t wanna drink and drive now. Some can come in and have two or three regular drinks, then they will finish off on non-alcoholic drinks to balance their drinking.”

According to Attest, a big driver of this shift is based on a larger focus on health and alcohol moderation.