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Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services Highlights Alcohol-Free Products for ‘Dry January’ to Promote Responsibility and Moderation

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) is celebrating “Dry January” with discount prices on non-alcoholic beverages in its retail stores. Throughout the month, ABS also will offer tastings of alcohol-free products and will post mocktail recipes on its social media accounts to promote responsibility and moderation.

Dry January represents a time when many people abstain from alcohol or practice mindful drinking for an entire month. For some, it is a part it is part of a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, sleep better, manage stress or incorporate healthy behaviors into their routine. Low- and no-alcohol beer, wine and spirits provide an interesting and attractive alternative to traditional alcoholic drinks.

“Now is a natural time to take stock and make a plan for the year ahead, which may include sober curiosity or challenges like Dry January.” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I’m glad to see ABS offering 23 non-alcoholic products in its stores for those who prefer a different type of ‘adult’ beverage. ABS even has the just-released Mionetto zero-proof sparkling wine that has caught the attention of prosecco enthusiasts.”

ABS Liquor & Wine and Oak Barrel & Vine retail stores are currently carrying these products that contain less than 0.5 percent alcohol:

Beer

  • Beck’s Non-Alcoholic
  • Buckler Non-Alcoholic
  • Corona Non-Alcoholic
  • Gosling’s Ginger Beer Non-Alcoholic
  • Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic
  • O’Doul’s Non-Alcoholic
  • O’Doul’s Amber Non-Alcoholic

Wine

  • Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon Non-Alcoholic
  • Ariel Chardonnay Non-Alcoholic
  • Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Premium Sparkling White
  • Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Premium Sparkling Rosé
  • Mionetto Alcohol-Removed Sparkling Wine
  • Stella Rosa Red Non-Alcoholic
  • Stella Rosa Peach Non-Alcoholic
  • Stella Rosa Rosé Non-Alcoholic
  • Stella Rosa Black Non-Alcoholic
  • Sutter Home Fre Alcohol-Removed Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Sutter Home Fre Alcohol-Removed Chardonnay

Spirits

  • CleanCo Clean V Apple Non-Alcoholic Vodka Alternative
  • CleanCo Clean W Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Alternative
  • CleanCo Clean T Non-Alcoholic Tequila Alternative
  • CleanCo Clean G Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative
  • CleanCo Clean R Non-Alcoholic Spiced Rum Alternative

Customers can discover which ABS retail stores carry specific products by using the Product Search Portal on the department’s website. Gaithersburg Square Oak Barrel & Vine carries the largest selection of alcohol-free products.

Customers can also sample alcohol-free products at these scheduled tastings:

  • Saturday, Jan. 6, 1-4 p.m., Mionetto, Downtown Rockville.
  • Saturday, Jan. 6, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Kingsview.
  • Saturday, Jan. 6, 4-7 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Muddy Branch
  • Friday, Jan. 12, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Darnestown
  • Friday, Jan. 12, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Aspen Hill
  • Friday, Jan. 12, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Hampden Lane
  • Saturday, Jan. 13, 1-4 p.m., CleanCo, Kingsview
  • Saturday, Jan. 13, 1-4 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Kensington
  • Friday, Jan. 19, 1-4 p.m., Mionetto, Seneca Meadows
  • Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Gaithersburg Square
  • Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Downtown Rockville
  • Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Aspen Hill
  • Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Muddy Branch
  • Saturday, Jan. 20, 1-4 p.m., CleanCo, Seneca Meadows
  • Saturday, Jan. 20, 1-4 p.m., Mionetto, Cabin John
  • Saturday, Jan. 20, 1-4 p.m. Mionetto, Gaithersburg Square
  • Saturday, Jan. 20, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Muddy Branch
  • Saturday, Jan. 20, 4-7 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Potomac
  • Friday, Jan. 26, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Darnestown
  • Friday, Jan. 27, 1-4 p.m. Mionetto, Potomac
  • Saturday, Jan. 27, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Montrose
  • Saturday, Jan. 27, 1-4 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Cabin John
  • Saturday, Jan. 27, 1-4 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Montrose
  • Saturday, Jan. 27, 2-5 p.m., CleanCo, Hampden Lane

A full list of tastings, including products that contain alcohol, is available on the department’s website.

As consumers look for new ways to enjoy the taste and ritual of drinking without the negative consequences of alcohol, mocktails continue to grow in popularity. Mocktails are non-alcoholic drinks created to replicate the presentation and complexity of craft cocktails. ABS will post mocktail, or zero-proof, recipes on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest throughout January.

“There are now so many flavorful options among craft mocktails, these elevated beverages have become their own movement,” said ABS director Kathie Durbin. “There are many great choices if you want something healthier or more inclusive than traditional cocktails.”

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that would otherwise be funded by County tax dollars. Follow ABS on Facebook and X. 

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Release ID: 24-002
Media Contact: Jocelyn Rawat 202-604-7289