ZPC Connect meetings unite business leaders in the Nonalcoholic Beverages Industry for community building, idea exchange, collaboration, and revenue enhancement.
Meetings
Catalysts of Change: How NA Advocates Foster Inclusive Dialogue
Bauhuas Brew Labs | Minneapolis, MN
Hosted by Matt Schwandt, President, and cofounder of Bauhaus Brew Labs, located in a historic Minneapolis building recounted his transition from law to launching a renowned craft brewery in 2014. Today, the brewery thrives and also offers premium NA beer that is locally crafted and locally dealcoholized! Matt's dynamic storytelling ignited robust discussions, emphasizing how NA advocates are pivotal catalysts for inclusive dialogue, reshaping corporate culture and community interactions, and empowering a collective embrace of NA beverage options.
Meet The Maker - Graham Wasilition, Tenneyson Black Ginger
Canopy Hotel | Umbra Retreat Room | Minneapolis, MN
This event was hosted by ZPC Connect member Kelley Lindes and open to the public. It was themed "Meet the Maker" with Graham Wasilition of Tenneyson in Austin, TX. He talked about the genesis of Tenneyson Black Ginger, a dazzling standout in the nonalcoholic beverage sector, sharing authentic stories, challenges faced, and essential lessons learned, resonating with all attendees.
NA RTD (Ready-to-Drink) from Research to Market
ModernWell | Minneapolis, MN
ZPC celebrated one year of gathering and expressed gratitude that we’ve continued to meet regularly and each time there’s returning folks and an infusion of new connections in the room! For this ZPC Connect, makers Hally Turner (PerSe) and Kat Duvic (Social Mixers) offered samples and shared their product development stories and launches, Hally going in-depth on her market research and transition from Muddle & Mint to PerSe Drinks.
Effective Collaboration to Forge New Pathways
Steady Pour | Minneapolis, MN
Steady Pour’s Jeff Seidenstricker and Matty Craddock hosted this ZPC Connect meeting in their gorgeous gathering space. We sampled four fabulous NA cocktails featuring their signature mixes. During the business portion of the event, ZPC led a conversation with intentional education about "The Steps of Effective Collaboration" and then followed with a group discussion as to how those steps have been or can be implemented into successful collaborations within the nonalcoholic beverages community.
Creating an Elevated NA Menu with Staying Power at a Restaurant
CōV Edina | Edina, MN
Early December, our group gathered in the porch area at CōV Edina to highlight the ZPC/CōV collaboration to launch a new NA menu just in time for Dry January. We had the opportunity to hear from CōV Edina Executive Chef Brian Sharpe and sample ZPC’s crafted NA creations being added to their permanent menu by Cate Faulkner featuring Abstinence and Ritual Proof nonalcoholic distilled spirits.
NA Maker Conversations and NA Beer Tasting
Eastlake Brewery | Minneapolis, MN
Hairless Dog co-founder Jeff Hollander (the first local company to craft an 0.0% ABV NA beer) shared the story of creating and evolving it, eventually selling it mid-2022 to Finnegans. Other makers, NA cocktail creators, and culinary voices shared their experiences in bring NA to light. The blind NA beer tasting had everyone sharing in the sampling fun and connoisseur conversation.
Challenges in the NA Distribution Model
EaTo Restaurant | Minneapolis, MN
With restaurateurs in attendance, we sampled ready to drink beverages (RTD) in Eato’s Ritrovo room and noted industry challenges in getting elevated NA options in front of restaurant and bar owners, GMS, and bartenders. Pathways to improve upon included more beverage sampling, access to distribution (alongside alcoholic products), creating an NA menu, and delivering a great NA experience in venue.
Event Experiences Made Inclusive with NA
ModernWell | Minneapolis, MN
Event experiences that are inclusive of anyone who chooses not to drink for whatever reason was the focus of this gathering. Connor Johnson, event host, and Chelsey and M.J. of Sober Sallys (a mobile NA bar available for hire), led us in a discussion around events and offering non-alcoholic options – how they’re served, received, and the important elements of delivering an NA experience.
The Science of Nonalcoholic Offerings
ModernWell | Minneapolis, MN
Ben Jordan of ABV Technology and Peter Schweigert of Dry Wit Drink kicked off the meeting with their experience in the industry. They shared the science of removing alcohol, stats and revenue insights, and consumer response to one of Minneapolis’ most established cocktail bars circa early 2020. We discussed no to low ABV products and the promotion of NA to various consumers, coming to nonalcoholic options for various reasons.
Welcome to Zero Proof Collective
ModernWell | Minneapolis, MN
We welcomed beverage makers, hospitality leaders, event curators, pop-up venue creators, writers, innovators, investors, and business leaders in the Twin Cities to envision a Collective. Each attendee had the opportunity to share how they connect to the non-alcoholic beverage industry and share their related initiatives, experiences, learnings, and their ideas around future growth.