Thoughts on non alcoholic wine and lager?

[SusieQ]

My Partner and I are entering our 8th week with NO alcohol and still feel very positive about giving up. We used to drink way too much (I'm too ashamed to say how much but it was a lot) and we feel so much better.
The reason for my question is that I think we will find Christmas a bit difficult. I was wondering if the non alcoholic wines and lagers available are any good but, would this be a bad idea (going through the motions so to speak) in view of our past?

[antje1]

Good for you. Why not look to completely different drinks instead of non-alcoholic beer and wine?
Fruit juice with seltzer, water comes to mind. Good luck!

[bouncer bobtail]

Try some Schloer. It used to be made with quality wine grapes, but it is now more mass market and is more like pop.

Ame tastes nice but has some herbs which are not neutral in terms of effecting your brian so take care with it at first. It isn't harmful but it might make you a little light headed.

Most grape juices you will find are too sweet, probably.

There are some nice very local alcohol beers but they can be difficult to get hold of because they don't sell in volume.

I've just bought some Ben Shaws shandy from Sainsbury's. That has a very low alcohol content but I've not tried it yet.

I drink a lot of cordials. It is a rapidly expanding market at the moment. Note that they taste a lot better when chilled.

I gave up alcohol over fifteen years ago. I can't say that I ever miss it. Well done to you both for making such a good decision for yourselves.

[worldlypuppy]

If you've stopped, then that's cool. If you're wondering then perhaps you have more of a problem than you thought. Alcohol free bevvies are just flavoured water. you may as well just drink cola, x

[honourableone]

Non alcoholic substitute stuff generally tastes nasty. If you want to give up alcohol all together then I wouldnt rely on this, and if not then drinking responsibly with real alcohol could help more than not having any at all, as you know where to stop and can drink like everyone else, but drinking non alcoholic stuff might make you want the real thing too much, and drinking fake booze too much would be a problem

[prettypolly]

good for you!! i really like j20s if im going out and not drinking,i used to drink "eisberg" non-alcoholic wine,it was quite nice,not sure if you can still get it.
also alot of bars now do non-alcoholic cocktails,which look the part,but are obviously better for you!

[Enigma]

First of all, well done. It's not an easy thing to do but you've already proved it's possible and you're doing really well.
I buy some alcohol free drinks from a website called The Alcohol Free Shop http://www.alcoholfree.co.uk/?gl2
They sell the best alcohol-free wine I've tried yet, it's a little bit pricey at about £6 a bottle but it's the closest taste to wine I've found. They also sell alcohol free lager, the best being alcohol free pils or becks. You could also try alcohol-free cocktails - most cocktail recipe books have a section on these.
If you're worried about trying alcohol-free drinks, then just go for the really nice soft drinks like Schloer or Appletiser/Peartiser. But I'm sure you'll be fine as the alcohol-free wines, etc. may have a similar taste, but they don't have the same effect.
Good luck, I hope you find something that suits you and have a great Christmas!

[Northern Lad]

You are doing good. You do NOT need alcohol of any sort.

[Grand pa]

It may bring back memories and tempt you. Best advice soda ot juice. dont listen to the fools that say one drink wont hurt . IT WILL

[datasprite]

Why are you looking for an excuse to "drink" I don't think the scriptures say that you have to have wine on Christmas. And I don't believe you should have any friends who force you to partake of some bubbly because it is appropriate to have it on Christmas.

You realize you are off a bad habit, and thats the best thing you have done to yourself. The people who will force you or influence you to that one drink are the people who do not have the will power to change. So gloat in your success, work towards your good health and well being, and if you do want to clink glasses, then have water ! or a juice.

Why 'non alcoholic' excuses !!

Enjoy...... there are zillions of people on this planet who have never tasted alcohol. And there are countless examples of these people raising toasts with water in their glasses.