Welp, it is January and all the decorations are (hopefully) packed away for next year. Yes, the holidays are over, along with all the merriment that went with them. I hope it was a great time for all. Now, for many of us it is time to get back on track towards a healthy lifestyle.
After overindulging in December, the concept of a dry January has become a popular way to get things back in order after the holidays, and I have done my best to practice it over the last few years. This year, I plan to do the same (although a mid-month trip to New Orleans might be difficult. I know: I will do a dry January while in the state of Pennsylvania).
One thing is a challenge, though, I just love to sit at a bar and enjoy the company of friends and well-wishers. Luckily, there is an answer for that. Mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages have become more popular these days and are popping up on menus at establishments all around.
Back in the day, there weren’t many craft options for teetotalers looking for a night out. Non-drinkers could order a sparkling water, a soda, or maybe a Shirley Temple (still is a pretty sweet tasting option that I am not against sipping every once in a while), but they were bound to get a look and some questions if they did.
Another option was a non-alcoholic beer, such as O’Douls, but good luck finding a bar back in the day (or even now) that had it on the menu. And, again, if you ordered that, you were definitely getting some side eyes from the other patrons at the pub.
I am glad things have changed, and it is not just about the options that are available on nights on the town, but also with the attitudes of the people out and about.
It is much more common now for people to feel that they don’t need to have alcohol to have a good time, and people are not going to judge you if you order something without booze.
Now, I am not saying that everyone feels that way, but the stigma seems to have lessened, and I am here for it. And January is the perfect time to take a step away from indulgences like an alcoholic drink here or there and focus on your health.
Here are some local options:
Big Spring Spirits
All year long, one of Centre County’s favorite distilleries has tasty mocktails on its menu. The zero-proof menu options at Big Spring Spirits include the Fallen Fig (fig shrub, orange, and club soda), Free-For-All Spritz (aperitif syrup, orange, and club), Pineapple-Ginger Nomito (pineapple-basil syrup, mint, lime, ginger, club, and bitters), and Salty Pup (rose syrup, grapefruit juice, mint, and pink salt rim), along with a variety of house-made sodas. They offer a chance to enjoy the great atmosphere of the tasting room at the Old Match Factory without alcohol.
Besides looking to be a little more healthy this year, I also hope to make it out to Big Spring Spirits’ new location when it opens in Pittsburgh’s South Shore district this year. It looks like it is going to be a great space.
Mobile Mocktails
The team over at Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits has brought something new to the area this past year, in Nellie the Mobile Mocktail bar. While the bar does offer alcoholic cocktail serving for events, what is especially unique are the specialty mocktail offerings it serves up at special events and parties. You might find the bar on wheels at block parties, community events, and farmers markets, offering up flavors that everyone can enjoy.
Fermented Fun
Long before owners Lisa Harpster and John Schaffer opened Antifragile Brewing Company in downtown State College, the pair had already made themselves known in the Centre County craft beverage scene with their Moody Culture Kombucha.
Moody Culture’s refreshing libations are served in the Antifragile Brewing Company taproom, offering the perfect opportunity to enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage in a chill atmosphere.
Bonus points: not only is Kombucha tasty, but it also has health benefits, so you can feel good about what you are drinking. Just be mindful that the hard variety of Moody Culture Kombucha does contain alcohol.
Local Pop
Centre County’s longest-standing brew pub offers more than craft beer. Otto’s Pub & Brewery’s craft soda are a hit for any age, either at the pub or at home.
I myself enjoy the root beer, but come my dry January I might have to make it out to the pub to try all the flavors. The soda shop also offers ginger and birch beer, along with grape, orange, and raspberry cream sodas. Yum.
With all these options and more right here in Centre County, dry January is going to be plenty of fun. Cheers to that. T&G
Vincent Corso enjoys drinking local and meeting new people at central Pennsylvania’s many interesting establishments.
