It is not news that the 0% category is growing rapidly through the last few years and more now than ever. Proof? Gold medals at the London Spirits Competition and London Beer Competition.

Some of the country’s top bartenders, spirits buyers and beer cicerone gathered on March 22-23-24 at St Mary's Church in London’s Marylebone, sniffing, swirling, and spitting their way through a vast array of gins, vodkas, whiskies and beers, as well as a range of more esoteric spirits, as the judging of the London Competitions were going on.

It was no mean feat to be tasked with, but the consensus was that not only was the number of entrants slightly up on last year, but the quality was even better.

The products were based on 3 strong values

Quality

Packaging

Value

Titles to win included Spirit of the Year, Distillery of the Year, Beer of the Year, Brewery of the Year, Best in Show by Country - and so on. 

A stand-out category was Non-Alcoholic of the Year 2023 - to reward and recognize brands that have been growing market. 

1) Non-Alcoholic Spirits of the Year 2023 goes to Sober-Whisky 0.0% by Sober Spirits from France at 92 points and a Gold Medal.

What the judges had to say:

A non-alcoholic spirit with flavors and aromas of cinnamon, marzipan, almond and cookie on the nose and palate with a creamy aftertaste and a fuller body.

Straight from the brand:

The future of non-alcoholic drinks is here! After 2 years of research and several hundred tests, we offer alcohol-free spirits made from real spirits, thanks to our expertise and the mastery of our innovative techniques.

Enjoy the Sober Spirits experience, to be savored without moderation!

View more winners here: London Spirits Competition Winners

2) The Non-Alcoholic Beer of the Year 2023 was a UK-based brand that brought home the gold at 97 points!

Sober Brummie by Birmingham Brewing Company also won the Best Beer of the Year by Quality 2023.

Straight from the brand: 

A non-alcoholic beer that has a refreshing citrus taste with a familiar beery feel. If you’re looking for a sober option and don’t want to miss out on the beers, this is the option for you!

What the judges had to say:

A bouquet of tropical, citrus and stone fruit aromas with an appealing collar of foam. It ends with a clean and refreshing bitter finish.

View all winners here: London Beer Competition Winners

About The Organizer

London Competitions is a product of the Beverage Trade Network.

BTN is creating a Global Platform & Marketplace for the Drinks Industry to Learn, Network & Grow across US, UK and Europe. It hosts trade shows like International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show, US/UK Trade Tasting, and Cannabis Drinks Expo; competitions like USA Ratings, Bartender Spirits Awards, and Sommeliers Choice Awards; and has multi-media assets like Global Drinks Guide, The On Trade, Drinks Merchants and so on.