Editor's letter

Welcome to the new edition of Just Drinks’ quarterly digital magazine, the first of 2025. 

There’s no question no-and-low is becoming an established part of the beverage-alcohol market in a growing number of countries – and, crucially, a more accepted choice among an increasing number of drinkers. 

But the no-and-low category remains small. Heineken, for example, estimates non-alcoholic beer represents 1.7% of beer sales worldwide. 

So, just how far and wide can alcohol-free beer grow? And what about non-alcoholic spirits, which have yet to make the same kinds of inroads? What challenges are distillers facing? These – and more – are some of the questions we explore in this issue. 

Elsewhere, we look at the prospects for English wine and the possible growth opportunities ahead for the country’s vintners. And we hear from Suntory Global Spirits about its plans for the UK, where it has launched its own commercial business.

Dean Best, managing editor