TL;DR: Are synthetic alcohols the future?

Not quite yet. While scientists like Prof David Nutt chase lab-made alternatives to alcohol, botanical drinks like NuWave are already delivering a buzz — with none of the hangover or hype. The future may be synthetic, but the now is botanical.

The Rise of the Alt-Buzz

There’s a quiet revolution brewing — and no, it’s not just another IPA.

In one corner, we’ve got the scientists: psychopharmacologists like Prof David Nutt, developing synthetic compounds like Alcarelle and MEAI — molecules designed to mimic alcohol’s effects without the toxic aftermath.

In the other, a new wave (pun intended) of functional drinks: adaptogen-laced spirits, mood-boosting AF beers, and postbiotic-powered elixirs, all aiming to replace ethanol with something a little... kinder.

Spoiler: NuWave sits squarely in the second camp — and we’re here to tell you why that matters.

NuWave in The Telegraph

In a recent feature in The Telegraph, journalist India Sturgis explored the fast-growing world of alcohol alternatives — from synthetic molecules like Alcarelle to botanical blends like Sentia and beyond. NuWave was highlighted as one of the next-generation alcohol-free beers leading the charge, praised for its award-winning flavour and functional twist.

Our take?
The future of drinking shouldn’t be synthetic or sober. It should be intentional — and it should taste great.

Wait... What Even Is Synthetic Alcohol?

Synthetic alcohol (think: Alcarelle or MEAI) is a lab-designed molecule that aims to give you that warm, sociable feeling of a couple drinks — without frying your liver, damaging your brain, or leaving you sobbing into a kebab at 2am.

Sounds great, right?

The problem? These molecules are still tangled in years of regulatory red tape, safety testing, and ethical concerns — not to mention the hefty £3 million price tag just to get through trials.

Bottom line: they’re not on shelves yet. And they won’t be for a while.

Botanical Buzz: The Right Now

While synthetic booze is still science fiction, functional botanical drinks are real — and booming.

Drinks like NuWave use ancient ingredients (Ashwagandha, anyone?) combined with modern brewing methods to deliver a mood-lifting, sociable experience. Our beers are <0.5% ABV — legally alcohol-free, but full of feel-good vibes.

Instead of mimicking alcohol's effect on your brain’s GABA receptors (hello, synthetic molecules), botanicals like Ashwagandha help your nervous system regulate stress, while postbiotics support your gut-brain axis.

In short: NuWave won’t get you drunk. But it will get you talking, laughing, and vibing — without the regret.

A Word From Our Founder

“There’s real science behind what we’re doing with NuWave — but there’s soul, too. After two decades in brewing and soft drinks, I wanted to create something that didn’t just taste amazing, but made you feel good. Functional beer is more than a trend — it’s a mindset shift.”
— Brendan Williams, NuWave Founder

Why Gen Z is Already Over Booze

According to The Telegraph, a third of under-25s in the UK don’t drink at all.

That’s not a blip. That’s a cultural shift.

From Turbo Tonics at Shoreditch speakeasies to Sentia’s mood-enhancing mocktails, young people are chasing connection — not chaos. They want something that lifts their mood and lets them vibe, without sacrificing wellness, sleep, or memory.

NuWave was built for exactly that: beer that enhances your night, not ends it.

The Real Choice Isn’t Synthetic or Botanical — It’s Intentional

Whether you're microdosing a synthetic GABA activator or sipping a botanical AF beer, the trend is clear: people are looking for alternatives that don’t wreck their body, their brain, or their Sunday.

What matters most isn’t the molecule — it’s the mission.

We believe the future of drinking is intentional:

• Functional, not frivolous

• Enjoyable, not escapist

• Rooted in science and soul

And that’s where NuWave comes in.

Why NuWave Isn’t Trying to “Replace” Alcohol

We’re not here to shame booze. We’re here to offer something that hits different — in the best possible way.

NuWave is:

• Brewed with biotics to support gut health

• Infused with botanicals to help lift your mood

• Crafted to taste like real beer (because it is)

• <0.5% ABV, so it’s technically alcohol-free — but still fun

No woo-woo. No synthetic chemicals. Just feel-good flavour with a functional edge.

The Takeaway

You don’t need to wait until 2027 to feel good without alcohol.

Whether you're sober-curious, AF all the way, or just skipping the hangover this weekend, NuWave delivers the vibe you’re craving — right here, right now.

Forget the lab coats. Grab a cold can.

🍻 Try NuWave — postbiotic-powered, 0.5% beer

Crack a can. Catch a vibe.