Mindful Drinking & Midlife Moderation: Low No Drinker Podcast Podcast By Denise Hamilton-Mace cover art

Mindful Drinking & Midlife Moderation: Low No Drinker Podcast

Mindful Drinking & Midlife Moderation: Low No Drinker Podcast

By: Denise Hamilton-Mace
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About this listen

Welcome to the essential podcast for anyone in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond who's ready to drink differently. While Gen Z gets all the headlines for being sober curious, let’s not forget that the real moderation revolution is happening in midlife – and this is your space to explore it without judgment, pressure, or expectation.

Join me to discover the people, places and brands making it easier than ever to live a life less intoxicated, whether that's for tonight, this week, or forever.

I get it – as a midlife moderator, you're not looking to reinvent yourself completely. You want drinks that taste like the ones you already love, new and exciting options with something special to offer, experiences that enhance rather than shorten your evenings, and practical advice that fits your busy, demanding life.

I’m Denise Hamilton-Mace, founder and editor of Low No Drinker Magazine – the leading global publication for mindful and sober curious drinkers and a professional public speaker on all things low, no and light.

My goal with this podcast is to help you feel more confident and more comfortable in your choice to explore a life less intoxicated, and to help you find, understand and enjoy the drinks that make it possible.

If you are, or aspire to be the type of savvy moderator who recognises that drinking less is not a binary decision for you, who knows that coasting with mid-strength drinks, alternating through zebra-striping or bookending the start and end of your night with something non-alcoholic are all viable options then this show is for you.

And you’ll leave each episode feeling motivated and supported to keep energy for the things that matter most: family, health, career, and living life on your own terms.

Each week on the Low No Drinker Podcast, you’ll get to either:

Meet the Makers: Join me in intimate conversations with the founders, brewers, distillers, and visionaries who are creating premium alcohol-free drinks that don't compromise on taste. Discover their personal journeys, what drives their innovation, and why their products are perfect for the discerning midlife palate.

Mindful Moderation Solo episodes: Practical deep-dives into the questions that matter to sophisticated drinkers who want to moderate smartly, with topics like:

- Why do premium alcohol-free drinks cost the same as full-strength versions when there's no alcohol and no tax?

- How can I find an alcohol-free red wine that actually tastes like the Malbec I love?

- What's the real difference between no, low and light alcohol options?

- How do I navigate social situations when I'm the only one moderating?

- What are the best functional drinks for midlife energy and wellness?

This isn't about going completely dry or following someone else's rules. It's about making mindful choices, exploring sophisticated alternatives, and practising practical moderation that suits your lifestyle. Whether you're a Gen X professional looking to improve your health, a busy parent wanting more energy, or someone who simply wants to enjoy better mornings while still celebrating life's special moments, this podcast helps you drink your own way.

Mindful Drinking & Midlife Moderation: Low No Drinker Podcast is perfect for mindful drinkers, sober curious adults, midlife moderators, health-conscious professionals, premium alcohol-free enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the low, no and light or mid-strength alcohol lifestyle.

© 2025 Low No Drinker Media Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • #99. Between Teetotal and Tipsy: The Lost Art of Small Beer

    #99. Between Teetotal and Tipsy: The Lost Art of Small Beer
    Jun 25 2025

    James Grundy, co-founder of Small Beer, joins me to share the fascinating story behind reviving a brewing tradition that vanished over a century ago.

    After several years building a gin brand, James & partner, former Fuller's brewer Felix James, set out to revive "small beer", historically consumed for nutrition and hydration, with an upper limit of 2.8% ABV.

    Their mission: to create the perfect middle ground between teetotalism and the spectacular hangovers from increasingly strong craft beers, has now grown into a B Corp-certified brewery that has revolutionised water usage and is now launching across 450 M&S stores.

    0:00 A brief history of Small Beers
    5:40 Bringing back a lost art
    9:02 Finding a market
    11:14 70% lager
    17:53 The Small Beer range
    22:50 Brewing up to mid-strength
    25:32 Dry Floor policy
    28:05 Long lagering & other challenges
    29:38 Collaborative brewing & B Corp status
    31:40 Launching into 450 M&S stores
    34:20 Retail support
    35:33 The mid-strength movement
    42:06 Finding Small Beer
    43:20 The BBQ-Q

    TRY SMALL BEER* // @ORIGINALSMALLBEER

    WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:     Maison Sassy Cider*

    BEST EPISODE TO CHECK OUT NEXT
    #74 - 50% of drinkers prefer going for two: How ‘coasting’ is changing the way we moderate

    ===
    🥂 Submit your non-alc or funtional drink to the innagural Bottle Raiders Zero Proof Choice Awards by July 31st - https://bottleraiders.com/zero-proof-choice-awards/

    ===
    📰     SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

    ===
    💰     Get 10% off drinks at Wise Bartender* & Dry Drinker*
    with code LOWNODRINKERMAGAZINE

    ===
    *Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • #98. Lyre’s: The Honest Truth

    #98. Lyre’s: The Honest Truth
    Jun 18 2025

    This week, I'm joined by Anita Osborne, the Sales and Marketing Manager for Lyre's Spirit Co. in the EU and UK. Anita takes us behind the scenes of one of the most successful global alcohol-free brands, sharing the highs and lows of building a business that spans over 60 territories.

    From launching with an ambitious 12 spirits (including an alcohol-free absinthe!) to navigating supply chain nightmares, pirate attacks on the Suez Canal, and strategic downsizing, Anita doesn't hold back about what it really takes to survive in this space.

    We explore Lyre's "your drink, your way" philosophy, why they're moving away from sober-specific marketing, and why it's OK that non-alcoholic spirits will never taste exactly like their alcoholic counterparts.


    0:00 The Lyre's Story
    6:45 Our changing attitudes in hospitality
    9:57 The Lyre's range: Why is it so big?!
    17:22 Lyre's RTDs
    21:30 A global concern
    32:34 Bridging the moderation gap
    41:06 Not a like-for-like
    46:07 Still fiercely independent
    51:36 The BBQ-Q

    LYRES.COM // @LYRESSPIRITCO

    WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:
    L.A Brewery*
    Botivo*
    Guinness 0.0*
    Sheppy’s*

    BEST EPISODE TO CHECK OUT NEXT
    #80 - 12 Years in the Making: From Seedlip to Seasn to Sylva to Shandy with Ben Branson

    ===
    🥂 Submit your non-alc or funtional drink to the innagural Bottle Raiders Zero Proof Choice Awards by July 31st - https://bottleraiders.com/zero-proof-choice-awards/

    ===
    📰     SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

    ===
    💰     Get 10% off drinks at Wise Bartender* & Dry Drinker*
    with code LOWNODRINKERMAGAZINE

    ===
    *Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr
  • #97. Adults Only? Are alcohol-free drinks safe for kids?

    #97. Adults Only? Are alcohol-free drinks safe for kids?
    Jun 13 2025

    Today I’m diving into a question that comes up a lot — is it safe, and is it a good idea, to give alcohol-free drinks to kids?

    I’m talking specifically about drinks under 0.5% ABV (so not low, light or mid-strength alcohol).

    I cover the safety aspect first, but more importantly, I explore the bigger question: should we be giving them to kids at all?

    I share why these drinks aren’t made for children, what message we might be sending if we do give them to our kids, and what to consider when the conversation gets a bit trickier, especially with teenagers.

    As always, no judgment, just my honest thoughts. I’d love to hear yours.


    0:00 Are alcohol free drinks safe for kids?
    3:47 Industry intent
    6:26 Adult flavour profiles
    8:14 What messages are we sending to kids & teens?
    11:23 Not made for the young

    Also mentioned:
    Mocktails*
    Lucky Saint*

    Best episode to listen to next:
    #76 Beyond Bananas! 12 surprising foods that contain alcohol

    ===
    📰     SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

    ===
    💰     Get 10% off drinks at Wise Bartender* & Dry Drinker*
    with code LOWNODRINKERMAGAZINE

    ===
    *Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.
    Show more Show less
    15 mins
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