Dry January and Beyond
Sylvia Benavidez
After 10+ years of craft beer consumption—and more recently, a newfound love for bourbon —I decided to give Dry January a shot.
Like many Americans, I can’t help but notice the effects of weekly—or daily—alcohol consumption on my body and mind. According to research by The New Consumer/Coefficient, nearly a third of Americans planned to participate in some form of Dry January in 2025, either by cutting down or eliminating alcohol for the month. Among Gen Z and millennial drinkers, that number jumps to 49%. Call me sober-curious, I’ve never been one to just tiptoe into a goal—I go all in. Truth be told, I didn’t actually start the challenge until middle of first week of January after a much-needed winter vacation in Tennessee. I wasn’t about to skip out on the booze there—haha. Sorry, not sorry.
If no one has told you before, this dry January stuff is hard. Really hard. Perhaps if you don’t work in the industry, you might find a way to avoid it completely which could make this easier on yourself.
Consciously, I never had doubts of my decisions to indulge (sometimes too much), and I never felt like I needed alcohol to function, focus or even deal with life’s problems. Between working for a large technology company, running micro side hustles, and raising a daughter, hear me when I say – I stay busy. I never really noticed the toll alcohol was taking on me but now I can see how much more I had to gain by stepping away from it.
Today, I’m already feeling the benefits. My energy levels have skyrocketed, the morning brain fog is gone, and honestly, I’m feeling better than ever—both physically and mentally. If I feel this great after a few weeks, what would happen if I did this for four months? What about nine months? A year?
Are You Sober-Curious?
I want to share a few things I’ve learned along the way and why I’m choosing to continue this journey of soberity. Will I never drink again? More than likely and honestly, I don’t consider “quitting” part of the goal. Maybe this experiment will permanently change my drinking habits but the goal is simply to explore life without alcohol and see what it does me.
Supporting Local Breweries Without Drinking
“This industry needs me, I gotta drink to support.”
You’re not wrong. They do, but you can still support local craft breweries and bars without drinking alcohol. Most respectable spots have crafted hop water, root beer, or soda on hand. Many others have crafted mocktails, N/A beers and found ways to be creative with mineral water. I found myself reaching for hop water 99% of the time or just sticking with filtered water since I’m not big on sugary sodas. Trivia nights, live music, and hanging out with your favorite bartenders are just as enjoyable without alcohol. Spindletap Brewery is working on a N/A hazy – which I am very much looking forward to. In the meantime, I will stick to Hop Quench from Spindletap and Hop Spring sparkling water from Saint Arnold Brewing Company.
If you’re looking for alternatives, hemp-based beverages are an option. THC Delta-9 is currently legal in Texas, and local breweries are experimenting with low-dose offerings. These drinks provide a mild buzz without the nasty hangovers. You can easily enjoy two 5mg can over a couple of hours and feel nice and relaxed. I actually find myself enjoying these more at home than out. Highly recommend dosed El Rancho Grande from Spindletap Brewery, in the form of a spicy michelada.
Socializing Without Alcohol
“I only drink to relax in social environments.”
I’ve discovered that I tend to drink more when I socialize. When the vibe is really vibing, it just feels right to knock back a few too many cold ones. Keep in mind, when you decide to go dry, your social life will be impacted and unless you have a group of like-minded friends doing this challenge with you, some of your drinking buddies will likely judge your choice—secretly or not-so-secretly. I find it disturbing how many people feel “weird” when someone hanging out isn’t drinking—almost like your sobriety threatens their fun. Wild.
Being around alcohol without drinking is a challenge in itself. Choosing to put yourself in those situations is a personal decision. Me? I make myself sit at the bar, staring down my favorite bourbon selections and beer taps. How satisfying to watch the temptations melt away when you leave without a drink.
There’s No “Right” Way to Explore Sobriety
“But I might want to have a drink again…?”
Whether you’re choosing to drink more mindfully or taking a more serious approach, this journey is yours to navigate at your own pace. If you want to take a few weeks off and then enjoy a beer on your birthday—go for it. There are no hard rules for how you take on this challenge.
For all these reasons, I’ve decided to keep going. I’m looking forward to a Dry February—maybe even a Dry 2025 as a whole. Let’s take it month by month.
In the meantime, let me know where you like to enjoy non-alcoholic beverages and which local breweries are embracing the sober community.
Are you on your path to changing your alcoholic consumption patterns? I want to hear your story. Email me at @HoustonBeerGuide.com.
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