'Sober-curious' scene has drinkers in high spirits

With hangover-free pub crawls, sober socials and non-alcoholic alternatives popping up around Hull, Josh Gorroño Chapman has been speaking to businesses and those cutting out booze to hear more about the evolving scene.

"I do it for the taste as opposed to the feeling it gives me because I know that feeling comes with baggage."

As Henry Beercock chats to me over a bright pink cocktail garnished with a fresh lime wedge, you could easily believe it was any normal night at The Brain Jar.

The buzzing Old Town cocktail bar, found along the Low Ale Trail, is hosting one of Alcohull Free's first sober socials.

Taking place once a month, the socials aim to offer a hangover-free night out with good food and drink.

Mr Beercock, 34, set up the group when he realised how few options there were when he went sober in October 2023.

"I would avoid going out," he explains, "and this is what I'm trying to encourage for other people."

"Still come out. There is a good time to be had. Do not not socialise."

Developed in partnership with Hull City Council's public health team in 2019, the Low Ale Trail aims to make it easier for people to find low and no alcohol options at bars and pubs.

Health Improvement and Service Development Manager Phil Wray says the team has noticed the choice of drinks is growing in the city.

"We know that our local venues are seeing an increasing demand which is a great sign people are being really conscious of their alcohol consumption."

In 2023, more than 120 million pints of no and low alcohol beer were drunk across the UK, according to the British Beer and Pub Association which estimated sales would continue to increase.

The original trail, initially only covering Hull's Old Town, has now expanded to include one in the Avenues and another in the Theatre Quarter, with 35 venues taking part.

"You still want to have that buzzing atmosphere but not suffer," laughs Alex Drysdale.

Working at Scale and Feather, another bar along the trail, the 26-year-old says there has been a generational shift when it comes to drinking.

"A lot of people my age don't want to be hung-over all the time," she explains.

"They're joining running clubs and doing more things like that rather than getting hammered in a pub."

Alcohol Change UK said about 30% of people who drank alcohol in the last six months reported becoming more concerned about the long-term damage drinking may have on their health.

These concerns were highest among the 25-34 age group and lowest among those aged 55 and over.

Dennis Wann, 59, is the landlord of The Sailmakers Arms and Ye Olde Black Boy, both also on the trail, and says he has noticed a shift too.

"The Heineken 0.0 is on its own dedicated cooler so that it can't ferment and can't become alcoholic," he said.

"That's an investment of £3,500.

"[People] think it's got no alcohol so it should be cheaper, but it's actually a longer process," he said.

"It starts off as a normal Heineken beer and then they boil the alcohol off."

Back at the sober social, Sallie Charlton tastes the aptly-named Alcohull Free cocktail.

"You wouldn't know that didn't have alcohol in it," she says, with sounds of approval from her friend.

The pair met at a previous event and now meet up socially and text.

"It's a proper friendship," adds Ms Charlton.

The 56-year-old said health was a big factor in making the decision to switch.

"Particularly for me getting older, I'm quite health conscious about what I'm putting into my body now."

She says alcohol replacements have been a big help psychologically.

"When you finish work and pour that drink, it's exactly the same as if you had alcohol in it. It's really weird how that happens."

"It's that ceremonial pint, that kind of the ritual of a pint in a pub or bar," agrees Mr Beercock. "The alcohol-free beers really scratch that itch."

He says he hopes to grow the group "into something bigger".

"The sober, sober-curious scene is very much in its infancy, but there's room for growth, which I find very exciting."

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