Another successful year for the low alcohol category

Alternative drinks

Thu 14 Jul 2022

The IWSC’s Low & No Awards is its biggest recent success story with entries growing for the third year. 2022 entries for the 1.2% and lower category were up over 225% versus the previous year demonstrating the continuing surge in popularity and relevance for these drinks.

28 gold medals were awarded to entrants for this category, as well as 104 silver medal winners and 138 bronze medal winners. Two medals – the Zero Alcohol Trophy and the Low Alcohol Trophy (under 1.2%) were also created this year to reward the two best performing drinks in this year’s judging.

David T Smith, member of the IWSC’s Judging Committee comments: “There has been real progress made in the low alcohol space over the past couple of years. It is very clear that producers are putting some serious time, effort, and innovation into increasing quality.

“The judges tasted the full spectrum of low alcohol drinks, from beer to wine through to the spirits and what has been great to see is how very good some of the alternatives to what we consider traditional alcoholic beverages are, and for those created to be a substitute, how difficult it would be to tell the difference between some of them.”

Low Alcohol Trophy (under 1.2%)

  • De-Alcoholised Rosé NV, Darling Cellars, South Africa

Zero Alcohol Trophy

  • Myth Non-Alcoholic Coconut White Cane Spirit, Goat Drinks, UK

Gold medal winners:

  • 0% Merlot NV, Giesen, New Zealand
  • 7 Stewed Cherry & Coffee, NON, Australia
  • Agua de Madre Water Kefir Blood Orange Bitters, Flor de Madre, UK
  • Ara Zero Sauvignon Blanc NV, Giesen, New Zealand
  • Barreled Oak, Gnista, Sweden
  • Blurred Vines Sharp NV, Beyond Alcohol, United Kingdom
  • Crodino, Campari Group, Italy
  • Dandy Smoke, Crossip, UK
  • De-Alcoholised Rosé NV, Darling Cellars, South Africa
  • George Bishop London Dry Gin Essence, The Maidstone Distillery, UK
  • IPA, UNLTD., UK
  • Lemon & Basil, Trip Drink, UK
  • Myth Non-Alcoholic Coconut White Cane Spirit, Goat Drinks, UK
  • Nochino Ruby Aperitif,  Vlcie, Slovakia
  • Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay NV, Thomson & Scott, UK
  • Novara Bitter Aperitivo, Bark and Bitter, Canada
  • Sapinca, Good Rootz, BV, Netherlands
  • Sinzero Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Comercial DYP, Chile
  • Sober-Rum 0.0%, Sober Spirits, France
  • Sparkling Hojicha, Saicho, UK
  • Sparkling Organic Rosé NV, ALT., Germany
  • Sparkling Shiraz NV, Edenvale Beverages, Australia
  • Succo, Occhiolino, Belgium
  • Suze Tonic, Pernod Ricard, France
  • Three Spirit Livener, Beyond Alcohol, UK
  • Three Spirit Nightcap, Beyond Alcohol, UK
  • Tonic Rosemary, Swedish Tonic , Sweden
  • Zeno Alcohol Liberated Red, Vinolo, UK

 

Recognising the relevance of the low alcohol (under 1.2%), the IWSC is launching a new Low/No Alcohol Producer of the Year trophy, sponsored by Bev Zero. The shortlist will be announced on Friday 22 July with the winner announced at the IWSC’s 2022 Awards Dinner & Industry Celebration on 29 September.

 

For a full list of the IWSC’s 2022 winners, visit here on our website.

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