Latest news with #LuckySaint
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The best and worst alcohol-free drinks to sip on a night out, according to a nutritionist
Whether it's a pint in a pub garden or a cocktail on a rooftop bar, summer can be one of the booziest times of the year. But if new stats are to be believed, many of us are now skipping our usual post-work tipple in favour of a hangover-free option. A UK survey carried out by KAM and alcohol-free brand Lucky Saint found that 76% of over 18s – equivalent to nearly 40million adults – say they are careful about how much alcohol they knock back, with one in three pub visits now completely alcohol-free. The research, which studied 2,000 people's drinking habits, also found that a quarter of us are now 'zebra striping' when we go out – the practice of alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated. While booze-free tipples don't come with the alcohol-related health risks of standard beers and wines, not all sober options are made equal. Some are higher in refined sugar, additives and empty calories, which can negatively affect you in other ways. To help you understand which non-alcoholic drinks are best for your brain and body, we asked a nutritionist to rank some popular options from best to worst. With its fizzy consistency and hoppy profile, alcohol-free lagers like Lucky Saint often feel like an indulgence – but according to nutritionist Rob Hobson, author of Unprocess Your Life, these bottled beers are actually one of the best choices both nutritionally and socially. "They're low in sugar (just 0.1g per 100ml), are around 53 calories per bottle, and are made with traditional brewing methods so they actually taste like beer," says Hobson. "These lagers also contain minimal amounts of B vitamins and antioxidant-rich polyphenols, which is a nice bonus, but not really enough to count on for your daily nutrition." Sugars: 0.1g per 100ml Calories: 53kcal per bottle Once prescribed as an iron tonic, this creamy stout has long been touted as a healthier bar order – and Hobson believes there's some truth to the claims. "Guinness 0.0 is surprisingly low in calories – around 80 per can – and very low in sugar," he notes. "The dark malts and creamy texture make it feel indulgent, without relying on added sweeteners or unnecessary extras." Thanks to the roasted barley content, this iconic stout also delivers a smidge of polyphenols and iron, though Hobson is quick to note these come in fairly minimal amounts. Sugars: 0.7g per 100ml Calories: 80kcal per can If you're a fan of sipping a cold glass of chardonnay on a sunny day, the idea of switching to a soft drink can be slightly underwhelming. Thankfully, there's now a whole category of alcohol-free wines that mimic the look and feel of a nice glass of vino. "Noughty is one of the better low-alcohol wine alternatives out there," says Hobson. "Not only is it organic, it has around 20 calories and two grams of sugar per small glass – this is much lower than most fruit juices." He continues: "It also contains some natural grape polyphenols, although not as much as its alcoholic counterpart." Sugars: 2g per 100ml Calories: 20kcal per 125ml glass A 'mock' gin and tonic is one of the more convincing non-alcoholic spirits out there, so it works well in social situations or when you don't want others to know you're having a sober night. "At around 12 calories per 100ml of spirit, the calorie content here is pretty low," says Hobson. "Mixers like pub tonics can often contain sweeteners like aspartame or acesulfame K, which some people find cause bloating or a bitter aftertaste, so you may want to check this before you order." He adds that while nutritionally, a G&T doesn't offer much, it's a smart, grown-up option when you want to join in with a toast at the table. Sugars: 0g (gin only) Calories: 12kcal per 100ml (gin only) When it comes to healthy pub drinks, many people see soda and lime as the holy grail, so it might surprise you to see this refreshing option so low on the list. "If it's made with just soda water and fresh lime juice, then it is zero calories, no sugar and naturally refreshing," says Hobson. "But in reality, many bars use lime cordial, which can push the sugar content up dramatically. Many of these syrupy cordials contain artificial sweeteners, too." Sugars: 0g (if fresh lime and soda) Calories: 0kcal (if fresh lime and soda) A staple of many people's childhood memories, this old-school apple drink has been catering to sober people since the late 60s. "Let's start with the good stuff," says Hobson. "It's made from 100% apple juice and contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, which you could say gives it a nutritional edge over most fizzy drinks." But at more than six teaspoons of unrefined sugar per can, it can easily lead to a quick energy boost and crash. "Given the high sugar content, this one is probably best kept as the occasional treat," advises Hobson. Sugars: 26g per can Calories: 118kcal per can J2O looks and tastes like a healthy juice, so it's natural to think it's better for us than non-alcoholic beers and ciders – perhaps even counting toward our five-a-day? Sadly, this isn't the case, says Hobson. "Some people might see J2O as healthier, under the illusion of fruit juice in the ingredient list, but it's basically just another sugary drink," he clarifies. "A small 275ml bottle in the classic orange and passionfruit flavour contains almost 12 grams of sugar [more than a third of the recommended daily amount of 30g], and there's nothing nutritionally valuable going on here either." Sugars: 12g per bottle Calories: 55kcal per bottle When you're flagging after a long day, the hiss-and-crack of a lemonade can is the sweetest sound you can hear, but soft drinks are one of the worst culprits for tooth decay. "Whether you go for regular or diet, Sprite is an ultra-processed drink," says Hobson. "The standard version contains around 15 grams of sugar per 330ml can, while the sugar-free one swaps that for sweeteners like aspartame. "Either way, it doesn't offer much nutritionally, and it's also easy to over-consume during a night out." Sugars: 15g per 330ml can Calories: 63kcal per can Is there anything better than sticking a straw into an ice-filled glass of Coca-Cola on a hot, sunny day? While classic Cola might taste amazing, it's not so great for your teeth or your health, as it contains more sugar than any other drink on this list. "A 330ml can contains about 35g sugar – that's nearly nine teaspoons," warns Hobson. "As there's nothing in the ingredients list that's going to slow down the absorption, it can have a huge impact on your blood sugar levels too," he notes. If you can't kick the habit entirely, there are things you can do to lessen the impact. 'Sugar-free versions, like Coke Zero, contain artificial sweeteners, which aren't great but are much better than the sugar-filled original," he suggests. Try to stick to just one glass per pub outing, as an occasional 'treat', and then switch to one of the options further up the list to lessen the sugar rush. Sugars: 35g per 330ml can Calories: 139kcal per can Read more alcohol-free stories: I gave up alcohol for 12 years – here's how to socialise sober (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) I drank beer for breakfast and wine while working until I confronted my alcoholism (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read) Dry January transformed my life, body and relationship (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read)
Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Times
Do what you do best and empower your team to do the rest
SIX FROM THE BEST It accounts for just three per cent of total sales, but low and no-alcohol beer is the UK's fastest-growing drinks category. Driving the change is Luke Boase, creator of best-selling alcohol-free brand Lucky Saint. Here the former fund manager turned founder shares his advice for brewing up a storm as a disruptor firm. 1. Only do the things that only you can do. This is the most liberating advice for a founder. Focus on the aspects of the business that only you can do, because that's where you'll add most value. Empower others in your team for everything else.2. Live and die by your product. You have an innovative idea, a strong brand, a great team — but it all falls down if the quality doesn't match. Obsess about quality above all else. 3. Be generous with your time. You never know what luck you will create. 4. Hire the right people, before you're ready. When I recruited our managing director, it was premature to hire for that role. But it was the right decision because it set in place the foundations to scale. 5. Codify your brand values and belief system. It should shape absolutely everything you do and give you that consistency you need to build the brand. 6. Love the industry you're in. Whether that's getting out into hospitality with the team, or running your own pub, it gives you invaluable feedback and connection to the drivers of your business.
Telegraph
05-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
More sugar than chocolate: The best and worst alcohol-free beers for your health
What a time to be alive if you're a teetotaller. Alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers (which typically contain up to 0.5% ABV – around the same amount of alcohol you would find in a ripe banana), are big business. No longer an insipid, metallic-tasting booby prize for designated drivers, the thirst for them is insatiable – with the market worth £380 million in 2024 – and encompasses a dizzying range of stouts, porters and craft wheat beers. However, before you knock them back with joyful abandon, it's worth having a closer look at the label, as many contain a lot more sugar and calories than you may think. There's that attractive-looking bottle of alcohol-free stout which contains more sugar than a Galaxy chocolate bar and enticing blonde beers with more calories than a packet of salty crisps. Which are the best options and the ones to avoid then? From Guinness to Lucky Saint, we rank the leading brands and speak to the experts about how much is safe to drink. The best and worst alcohol-free beers for your health Rated by Sam Rice, Telegraph nutrition expert Nøgne Ø Svart/Hvit Milk Stout Innis & Gunn 0.0% lager Leffe Blonde 0% Abbey Ale Madrí Excepcional 0% Brewdog Punk IPA Alcohol Free Guinness 0.0 Lucky Saint Alcohol Free Lager 7. Nøgne Ø Svart/Hvit Milk Stout Ingredients: water, malted barley, lactose, hops, yeast Wowzers, this wholesome-looking bottle contains a whopping 23g of sugar, the highest by far of those tested. The clue is in the name; lactose is the sugar found in milk, and it has been added here to give the stout its characteristic creamy mouthfeel. Yeast cannot ferment lactose, so it remains in the finished beer, providing a distinct sweetness. A 330ml bottle contains 23g of sugar, equal to a 42g bar of Galaxy chocolate. I think I know which I'd choose, but if you like this beer, then, like Galaxy, it's probably best kept as a treat. Verdict: One point for the fact that it's alcohol free. 6. Innis & Gunn 0.0% lager Ingredients: water, barley, oats, hops. A simple ingredients list is always a great start when it comes to nutrition, but sadly, that's where the good news ends, as this beer is the second-highest in sugar, 4.5g per 100ml, compared with the minuscule 0.1g in Lucky Saint. One 440ml can contains two thirds of the recommended daily sugar intake set by the NHS, which is 30g. Unless you absolutely love this for the taste, which is a valid reason to drink anything, I'd probably choose something else. Verdict: Just the one point for being alcohol-free. 5. Leffe Blonde 0% Abbey Ale Ingredients: water, barley malt, maize, barley, sugar, hops, natural aromas. What this beer gives with one hand – it's pretty low in sugar – it takes with the other; it's the highest in calories of the beers featured, with almost three times that of the Brewdog Punk AF. Blonde ales are an unfiltered beer style known for being high in silicon, or more specifically, orthosilicic acid, which helps the body to build and maintain healthy bones, and may help guard against conditions such as osteoporosis. Each 250ml bottle contains 100 calories, so a couple of those and you're consuming more calories than a standard bag of Walker's ready salted crisps. Verdict: An extra half a point for the silicon. 4. Madrí Excepcional 0%. Ingredients: water, barley malt, wheat, barley, glucose syrup, sucrose, natural flavourings, hops. This beer sits right in the middle of the pack for calories and sugar, so if you love that cool, crisp Spanish cerveza-style lager, then this might be the one for you. But before you pop the top, the addition of glucose syrup, sucrose, and natural flavourings raises a nutritional red flag – we are entering UPF territory here. Verdict: The additives let this down. 3. Brewdog Punk IPA Alcohol Free Ingredients: water, lactose, malted barley, hops, yeast, malted oats, malted wheat, lactic acid. While Brewdog Punk IPA was the lowest in calories, just edging out Lucky Saint, it was much higher in sugar, presumably due to the lactose. This is a method for adding body to beer after the alcohol has been removed. With 6g of sugar per 330ml, this would add up pretty rapidly if you were to enjoy a few cans in the sun. Sometimes, even alcohol-free beers should be enjoyed in moderation. Verdict: Shame about the sugar. 2. Guinness 0.0 Ingredients: water, malted barley, barley, roasted barley, fructose, natural flavourings, hops, yeast I'm reliably informed by beer connoisseurs (my husband!) that Guinness 0.0 is the closest to the real thing of all the zero-alcohol beers. This is likely because it is brewed in the same manner as regular Guinness, utilising a cold filtration method to remove the alcohol. This preserves the flavour as well as plant compounds called polyphenols from the barley, which act as antioxidants in the body to protect cells against cancer-causing compounds called free radicals. Polyphenols are also prebiotics, which feed our good gut bacteria, and they can even help improve circulation and blood pressure. Guinness famously contains energy-boosting iron, too. A 440ml can contains only as many calories as a single Hobnob biscuit, which is half the calories of regular Guinness, and it's also very low in sugar. A win in my book. Verdict: One of the best on the market. 1. Lucky Saint Alcohol Free Lager Ingredients: water, malted barley, hops, yeast. This is the alcohol-free lager I have in my fridge at home. It has a delicious fruitiness and a paltry 53 calories and 0.3g of sugar per can. This simple, unfiltered beer is made with just four ingredients and no additions, such as aromas or flavourings. You'll also be getting a hit of plant polyphenols for some extra gut goodness. Bravo Lucky Saint, you win! Verdict: Not much wrong with this. FAQs How much is safe to drink? A recent study by a research team from University of California San Diego, Knappschaft Kliniken in Germany and the University of the Basque Country in Spain, which was published in the journal Nutrients, suggests that even two bottles of non-alcoholic beer a day is enough to increase blood sugar levels. The authors conclude: 'The consumption of non-alcoholic beverages has unfavourable effects on metabolism, mainly driven by their calorie and sugar contents.' The researchers indicated a long-term risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The study, however, was limited. The cohort was restricted to 44 healthy young men who drank either two 330ml bottles of alcohol-free beer or water every day for four weeks. The team conducted regular tests to check for changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, liver enzymes, body composition, and the composition of the men's gut microbiome – and compared the results between the alcohol free beer drinkers and the water drinkers, so it was not surprising these drinkers fared worse. Nevertheless, consuming alcohol-free beers with high levels of calories and sugar, over time and at volume could have more serious implications for health. What are the main health risks? Clearly, 'the biggest benefit to alcohol-free beer is cutting out the alcohol and typically they add fewer calories to your diet,' says Matt Coulshead, the research and development manager at Gaba Labs, which specialises in neuropsychopharmacology and synthetic chemistry. But the main problem is that the sugar and calorie content varies widely between the different types of beers. The research findings revealed that mixed beer – alcohol-free beer with added lemon or orange soda, for example, raised long-term blood sugar levels and fats in the bloodstream, and wheat beer increased insulin and blood fats. And some lagers, such as one 440ml can of Innis & Gunn 0.0% lager beer, contains 20g of sugar, two thirds of the recommended daily intake. (The NHS recommends that adults consume no more than 30g of added sugar a day, approximately 7tsp.) It's not all bad news, however. According to the NHS, it is not usually a serious problem if your blood sugar is slightly high for a short time – it is when it is sustained that high blood sugar can raise the risk of pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Dr Federica Amati, the head nutritionist and global head of communications at Zoe, explains: 'If you consume these products every so often, they're unlikely to do much harm – or good. However, if you're having several cans every day, we don't really know what effects they might have, but it's unlikely to be neutral. These drinks are still providing liquid calories, which we know contribute to worse metabolic health outcomes compared with drinking water, tea or coffee, for example. 'Consuming any sugar and energy in liquid is more harmful for health,' says Dr Amati. 'This is because you can consume them quickly, and we know that the speed you eat – or in this case, drink – increases the risk of weight gain. One can every now and then is only contributing a small amount to our overall dietary pattern, but I wouldn't make this my main drink of choice. It's worth noting that low-alcohol beers do still contain some alcohol. It's in small amounts, but it may still have some negative effects.' The verdict: are non-alcoholic beers really bad for you? Dr Amati concludes: 'In nutrition, the most important question is 'what is it replacing?' If you swap standard beer for non-alcoholic beer, it's absolutely a healthier option. No question. If you swap regular fizzy pop for low-alcohol beer, that's probably a little better. But if you swapped low-alcohol beer for water or kombucha, that's even healthier. 'As with any soft drinks, moderation is key. But if you love the taste of beer, and it's replacing regular beer, you're making a solid choice.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Ivy Brighton launches Wild West Father's Day menu
The Ivy is serving up a cowboy-inspired Father's Day experience. The Ivy in Brighton is offering a Wild West-themed set menu, limited-edition cocktails, and a breakfast special on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15. The menu includes a Himalayan salt wall dry-aged sirloin steak topped with cowboy butter and a grilled thinly-beaten rump steak breakfast. Sean Burbidge, executive chef at The Ivy Collection, said: "This Father's Day, we're excited to invite guests into our Wild West world with our specially created breakfast, set menu and delectable cocktails. "This year, we wanted to have fun with western flavours, such as the herbs and spices in our Cowboy Butter, that accompanies our succulent sirloin steak. "Complete with complimentary playing cards – perfect for a game of Texas Hold 'Em or two – we hope guests enjoy Cowboy-inspired Father's Day experience at The Ivy." The Brighton restaurant, located in the heart of The Lanes, will feature a themed breakfast option of grilled thinly-beaten rump steak served with a crispy potato rösti and two fried eggs. For those who prefer a later start, the Father's Day set menu is priced at £29.95 for two courses or £34.95 for three, and begins with The Ivy's signature truffle arancini for the table. Starters include steak tartare with toast, crab and avocado tian, duck liver parfait, or an heirloom tomato and watermelon salad. The main attraction is the sirloin steak with cowboy butter, available for a £5.95 supplement. Other main course choices include gochujang-glazed aubergine salad, The Ivy classic shepherd's pie, chicken Milanese with truffle sauce, and blackened cod fillet. Dessert options feature The Ivy chocolate bomb, crème brûlée, a selection of cheeses, or a raspberry and pistachio coupe. To complement the meal, The Ivy has crafted two special cocktails for the occasion. The Western Whisky Smash combines Singleton 12 whisky with Crème d'abricot, lemon, nettle, and mint. For a non-alcoholic option, the Giddy Up Nettle and Mint Panache blends Lucky Saint alcohol-free lager with lemon juice, mint, and nettle. All fathers dining at The Ivy on Father's Day weekend will receive a complimentary gift of a specially designed set of The Ivy Father's Day playing cards. The Brighton venue, known for its stylish interiors and relaxed yet refined atmosphere, is expected to be popular with families looking to celebrate the occasion. Reservations are recommended to secure a table. The Ivy Brighton is part of The Ivy Collection, a group of restaurants across the UK known for their contemporary British menus and elegant surroundings. The Wild West-inspired menu is designed to offer something special for fathers and father figures while maintaining the signature style of The Ivy brand. The Father's Day breakfast, set menu, and cocktails will be available on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15. Tables can be booked online at The Ivy Collection is also encouraging guests to join The Ivy Premier Rewards App for exclusive offers and rewards.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Financial wellbeing platform Mintago lands £6m funding boost
A financial wellbeing platform which counts the alcohol-free beer producer Lucky Saint among its clients has landed a £6m funding injection from a syndicate of well-known investors. Sky News understands that Mintago, which was founded in 2019, will announce in the coming days that Guinness Ventures has jointly led the Series A round alongside Seed X Liechtenstein and Social Impact Enterprises. Mintago, which also counts car rental firm Avis and Northumbrian Police among its customers, aims to help employees save and manage their money more effectively. A number of the start-up's current investors, Love Ventures and Truesight Ventures, are also understood to have reinvested as part of the fundraising. The company was set up by Chieu Cao and Daniel Conti, and claims to offer more salary sacrifice schemes than any other UK provider. It also provides independent financial advice, a service for finding lost pension pots, retail discounts and GP services. "We realised that organisations are crying out for the same help we provide their staff," Mr Conti said. "The benefits of providing that support impact everyone. "When a company improves their salary sacrifice benefits engagement, they can save thousands in National Insurance Contributions, but their employees save too, easing the strain on their finances." The new capital will be used to develop additional products using artificial intelligence, according to the company. "Mintago is enabling its customers to become truly people-centric organisations by giving them the tools to support their employees' financial wellbeing," Mathias Jaeggi, a partner at Seed X Liechtenstein, said.
