Since the New Year is seen as an opportunity for a fresh start – along with New Year’s resolutions – many people have left for dry January.
And after all the excesses of the holiday season, many of us long to open a new leaf and develop good living habits in the process.
That can be in the form of foregoing sugar, forgoing chocolate, eating less meat, vegan month as part of “Veganuary” – or forgoing schnapps altogether after the festive overload.
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Research has shown that more and more people are choosing Dry January as an increasingly popular way to turn a new leaf.
Charity Alcohol Change UK says an increasing number of people – 7.9 million to be precise – are giving up alcohol for the month of January – while a third would rather attend Dry January.
It is said that no less than one in six adults who normally drink alcohol plan to abstain for the whole of January – which is the equivalent of one in seven of all UK adults.
This is estimated at 7.9 million UK adults – an increase from 6.5 million last year.
Unsurprisingly, however, the charity that Dry January started and conducted the research said nearly three in ten drinkers drank more in the past year than the previous year, with one in six wondering about the amount they drink, Drinking has been “concerned” since restrictions ended last summer, and a quarter said they would like to reduce the amount they drink this year.
As a connoisseur of pub soft and non-alcoholic beverages – Becks Blue is my all-time all-time favorite, Heineken 0.0 just comes in second, and Orange and J20 in third – although other drinks are available – I was keen to find out how Dry January played in local pubs.
I’ve spoken to staff at Lancashire’s pubs and restaurants about it and asked them if they’d felt thirsty for Dry January – or if it had been given up by drinkers this year amid the stress of soaring Omicron rates.
Heather Brandwood (left), manager of the Bellflower pub with partner and head chef Caroline Porter (right)
Heather Brandwood, manager of the Bellflower Pub in Garstang, said that attitudes towards healthier lifestyles have generally changed since the pandemic.
She said, “People used to do Dry January for their New Year’s resolutions – what we’re seeing is that the world is so different than it was a few years ago, and people are more invested in their health.
“People drink more moderately; They come out and have a glass of wine, then maybe before or after a non-alcoholic a healthy mindset.
“We do everything possible – from non-alcoholic gin and wine to many premium soft drinks such as J20, 55 and flavored tonics. Marston offers all the time anyway, so our premium range for drivers and non-drivers alike” has always been a real one good selection of drinks.
“If you go out with the girls and have three, you can have the non-alcoholic gin and tonic and it tastes the same; the glasses are the same and the favor is the same, and it’s just the safer option and means you’re all safe Come home, the atmosphere is the same and the vibe is still as fun as if you were drinking a pint.
“People seem to want to try something new too, and those things are really tasty.”
Paul Shiel, owner of Tap Room No.12 in Ormskirk, said January was to be expected to be quiet – but the pub had a few specialty non-alcoholic beers.
He said, “It’s the first week of January – and as I predicted, it’s quiet. We make a few non-alcoholic craft beers from specialty breweries, but we don’t do that massively. We’re a beer bar – but it’s an option if someone is out with friends. “
The low-alcohol or no-alcohol craft beers on offer at Tap Room No12 include Thornbridge Zero Five with just 0.5% alcohol and Brooklyn Special Effects 0.4% low-alcohol beer, while other lighter options include San Pellegrino, ginger beer, and Embrace dandelion and burdock, he said, adding, “It’s a very small part of our job. There’s a market out there, but it’s a niche.
“We only have a few days in January, so it’s difficult to judge. People should still come out when they do Dry January. Besides that, everyone I served today was drinking, so it’s still a sideline for us. “
Bramley’s Coffee House in Ormskirk
Tom Trill, co-owner of Bramley’s Coffee House in Ormskirk, said they hadn’t served alcoholic beverages this week and that orange and apple juices and healthy food were popular.
He said, “It was quiet, but I think we didn’t sell alcohol this week so obviously people don’t want to drink alcohol.
“Bramley’s is usually quiet at this time of the year. We sell coffee-based drinks because of the cold weather and honestly not many soft drinks like diet cola and regular cola.
“We sell a lot of orange juice and apple juice and in the winter months we also make two soups that we have every day: Today we make chicken, corn and tomato soups. We make a wide variety of soups and change them every few days.
“We generally offer more healthy things, like the salad lifestyle platter with salad and fruit, so it’s really very varied.”
Meanwhile, employees at Cricketers restaurant in Ormskirk said that there has been a “general trend” of increasing demand for soft and non-alcoholic beverages and that these are “definitely not an afterthought”, as perhaps before.
Owner Dave Speak told LancsLive, “We have a number of non-alcoholic options at Cricketers. These include mocktails, non-alcoholic lager and craft beers, non-alcoholic fruit wine and seedlip (a non-alcoholic spirit) and a range of fantastic soft drinks.
“We are constantly looking to expand the range as there is a general trend that has resulted in increased sales of low / no alcohol products. Craft breweries have brought out some fantastic tasting examples and it is definitely no longer thinking about it being possible before.
“Dry January may not get a positive review from a restaurateur’s point of view, but there are more and more great opportunities. The main message we want to send is that attending Dry January shouldn’t mean visiting your local pubs and restaurants (they need your help now!), but instead look for the options they have for you. ”
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