Non-alcoholic drinks

agnes

agnes

agnes

Soldato
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So, I have recently decided to cut all alcohol out of my system, maybe a little at Christmas dinner, but in general. I don't need it to have fun.

However, I feel that I am being raped of my money in bars now, for coke that costs almost the same as a beer!

So, I was thinking, what are peoples views on non-alcholic beers? I'm tempted but I think my brain will be tricked into thinking I'm drinking then I will accidently order a normal beer.

Thoughts?
 
They are universally dreadful and you need to re-calibrate your brain. Try orange juice or some bottled water to break up the monotony of Coke. Whilst you might spend the same as you did previously, you won't be pumping 15 pints of Stella (my figures, not yours) into your blood stream so that's probably a good thing.
 
agnes said:
So, I have recently decided to cut all alcohol out of my system, maybe a little at Christmas dinner, but in general. I don't need it to have fun.

However, I feel that I am being raped of my money in bars now, for coke that costs almost the same as a beer!

So, I was thinking, what are peoples views on non-alcholic beers? I'm tempted but I think my brain will be tricked into thinking I'm drinking then I will accidently order a normal beer.

Thoughts?
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So your judgement will be impaired while sober? ;)

If you don't want to be ripped off by the pubs/bars/clubs then don't go there.
 
I have been wanting to do the same for ages.

I have had some great nights with friends whilst drinking, but also some dreadful ones. I don't like myself when I'm drunk, but it feels as though any social situation involves alcohol.
I would probably say i don't know much of how my mates actually are when sober.

If you find anything nice Op then let me know, as I may join the gang.
 
None of the non-alcholic beers I've had are great but one or two are alright Becks Blue in partulcar springs to mind as being very similar to their normal brew just depends on whether or not you like becks.

Avoid drinking sugary fizzy pop as your beer replacement your just swapping beer thats bad for you for something that is pretty much equally as bad as someone said mix it up with some fruit juices and water etc.

Bars and pubs will always be pricey and soft drinks are definitely a killer but even if you spend the same amount at leasr you'll be fully functional the next day and not slowly destroying your liver!
 
agnes said:
So, I have recently decided to cut all alcohol out of my system, maybe a little at Christmas dinner, but in general. I don't need it to have fun.

However, I feel that I am being raped of my money in bars now, for coke that costs almost the same as a beer!

So, I was thinking, what are peoples views on non-alcholic beers? I'm tempted but I think my brain will be tricked into thinking I'm drinking then I will accidently order a normal beer.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Also you'll find most non-alcoholic drinks served at bars will leave you with an almost fluffy feeling on your teeth for days, soooooooo much sugar :(.

Cobra zero isn't too bad, others like Becks blue taste like carpet cleaner.
 
[FnG]magnolia;23037697 said:
They are universally dreadful and you need to re-calibrate your brain.
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Might be true in pubs I suppose, but off the top of my head; Cobra and Becks alcohol free is very nice beer.

Annoyingly its more expensive than the alcohol containing stuff (in Tesco anyway).
 
Maybe they're better now but I remember the Becks one being utterly awful and I'm not sure the Tiger one even existed back then (this was 5 years ago so my input is old and probably out of date).

OP, is it the cost or the alcohol intake you're trying to reduce?
 
Hmm, will try the cobra and becks stuff tonight.

Sleeve88 said:
I have been wanting to do the same for ages.

I have had some great nights with friends whilst drinking, but also some dreadful ones. I don't like myself when I'm drunk, but it feels as though any social situation involves alcohol.
I would probably say i don't know much of how my mates actually are when sober.

If you find anything nice Op then let me know, as I may join the gang.
Click to expand...

Honestly mate, it makes no difference! I have a fairly busy social life which involes going out a fair bit. My downfall is not knowing my limit. People can never tell when I'm 'gone' after my limit as I carry on talking like normal, maybe a little slurred but due to being able to handle a lot of drink. I know my self I am gone but others don't. So I carry on drinking.

Hate it now, hate waking up feeling like death, stinking of beer and generally regretting the night even though it was great.

For the last couple of months, I cut it out entirely. With one night here and there with a few beers. It's no different! I still have an absolutely great time! Laugh at all my mates making a fool of them selfs, join in sometimes and generally still have a silly and great time at no expense, other than furry teeth in the morning due to the coke :(

tldr; it's no different from drinking, enjoy the day after and dont drink :)

[FnG]magnolia;23037877 said:
Maybe they're better now but I remember the Becks one being utterly awful and I'm not sure the Tiger one even existed back then (this was 5 years ago so my input is old and probably out of date).

OP, is it the cost or the alcohol intake you're trying to reduce?
Click to expand...

The feeling mate, hate the hangover feeling, I can drink most under the table. But suffer the most. I just don't see the point in getting wasted anymore after the first night out of 'cold turkey' I still had just as much fun, if not more with the ability to recall everything and laugh! Convinced me more than enough to carry on the trend of not drinking.
 
agnes said:
Hmm, will try the cobra and becks stuff tonight.



Honestly mate, it makes no difference! I have a fairly busy social life which involes going out a fair bit. My downfall is not knowing my limit. People can never tell when I'm 'gone' after my limit as I carry on talking like normal, maybe a little slurred but due to being able to handle a lot of drink. I know my self I am gone but others don't. So I carry on drinking.

Hate it now, hate waking up feeling like death, stinking of beer and generally regretting the night even though it was great.

For the last couple of months, I cut it out entirely. With one night here and there with a few beers. It's no different! I still have an absolutely great time! Laugh at all my mates making a fool of them selfs, join in sometimes and generally still have a silly and great time at no expense, other than furry teeth in the morning due to the coke :(

tldr; it's no different from drinking, enjoy the day after and dont drink :)



The feeling mate, hate the hangover feeling, I can drink most under the table. But suffer the most. I just don't see the point in getting wasted anymore after the first night out of 'cold turkey' I still had just as much fun, if not more with the ability to recall everything and laugh! Convinced me more than enough to carry on the trend of not drinking.
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I am very tempted.

Have been pondering it for so long now.

You know what, I will, I'm in. Wish me luck!
 
most of the alcohol free beers I've had are rank, apart from erdingers alcohol free, which is tremendous, but depends on the type of beer you like I suppose...
if you don't limit your sugar intake on a night out you feel pretty bad in the morning!
 
Sleeve88 said:
I am very tempted.

Have been pondering it for so long now.

You know what, I will, I'm in. Wish me luck!
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The hardest part mate, is your friends at the bar. Be strict, they will try anything to get you drinking. Just say no haha!

My mates refused to get me any other drink than beer because they thought I was being boring. I then got my own drinks and decided to get the man to line up 10 shots of water, told my mates "Right, you want me to drink? If I manage 10 voda shots quicker than you can down a beer, I buy".

Obviously I won haha, after a while. They got used to it and often came back with a coke or a red bull without asking me!

So yea, be strong mate, it's so worth it! Often, I will not drink until 1/2am, then have a beer or 2! No harm done, only a couple of beers if you really fancy it.

Good luck mate, you won't regret it :)
 
agnes said:
The hardest part mate, is your friends at the bar. Be strict, they will try anything to get you drinking. Just say no haha!

My mates refused to get me any other drink than beer because they thought I was being boring. I then got my own drinks and decided to get the man to line up 10 shots of water, told my mates "Right, you want me to drink? If I manage 10 voda shots quicker than you can down a beer, I buy".

Obviously I won haha, after a while. They got used to it and often came back with a coke or a red bull without asking me!

So yea, be strong mate, it's so worth it! Often, I will not drink until 1/2am, then have a beer or 2! No harm done, only a couple of beers if you really fancy it.

Good luck mate, you won't regret it :)
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I like the sound of the 1 or 2 beers at the end of the evening.

I often flag horribly about midnight, but my friends want to stay till closing time.

Might try staggering my drinks, 2 at the start, move to water/coke etc and a few more at the end :)
 
agnes said:
Hmm, will try the cobra and becks stuff tonight.



Honestly mate, it makes no difference! I have a fairly busy social life which involes going out a fair bit. My downfall is not knowing my limit. People can never tell when I'm 'gone' after my limit as I carry on talking like normal, maybe a little slurred but due to being able to handle a lot of drink. I know my self I am gone but others don't. So I carry on drinking.

Hate it now, hate waking up feeling like death, stinking of beer and generally regretting the night even though it was great.

For the last couple of months, I cut it out entirely. With one night here and there with a few beers. It's no different! I still have an absolutely great time! Laugh at all my mates making a fool of them selfs, join in sometimes and generally still have a silly and great time at no expense, other than furry teeth in the morning due to the coke :(

tldr; it's no different from drinking, enjoy the day after and dont drink :)
Click to expand...
I loved being completely alcohol free :). Now I have the odd tipple, christmas, special occasions etc. But I'm much fitter because of it.
 
After being off the drink for about 2 years now I've got the following words of wisdom to offer.

1) I'm not a fan of the taste of beer so I stick soft drinks usually. If you do, stick to anything canned or bottled - don't get draft.

2) Virgin cocktails can be fun to try when everyone else is getting cocktails themselves. Also lets you ask for stuff like a "Cinderella" - Which has been a good conversation starter in the past!

3) A hangover is dehydration - as such you can STILL get a hangover if you're out from 5 at night until 3 in the morning and dancing around like a maniac! I learnt this the hard way as I stopped drinking because I have medic issues that are exasperated with dehydration so yeah - drink water if you're not drinking at all and you won't get the hangover like effects in the morning :)

4) Don't make excuses for not drinking. You're not drinking because of your own reasons - not because "you're driving".

Roy
 
Drink tap water!

I stopped drinking for a good 4 months last year.
Nights out were great, could drive into town with free parking, drink free water all night and drive home, my cheapest ever night out cost £1.60 as I had a coke in one pub!

Sure, your friends might look at you like you've finally lost the plot but I still had as much fun and no hangover which leaves you free to have a productive sunday or drag the bike out.

:D
 
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