Founder and Contributing Writer – Jason Mayo
I can’t drink real beer anymore. That ship has sailed, sunk, and is probably being explored by James Cameron right now.
And as much as non-alcoholic beer has come a long way—craft labels, cool branding, enough hops to make you second-guess—I’ve never fully trusted it.
Too close to the real thing.
Too tempting to indulge like the old days.
And let’s be honest, if I’m cracking open a six-pack of “non-alcoholic” anything, I’m not just thirsty—I’m chasing something.
So I leave it alone.
But then there’s ginger beer.
Spicy. Bubbly. Loud. It doesn’t whisper like club soda. It announces itself.
It doesn’t pretend to be beer—it’s its own wild and refreshing category.
And I love it.
I love trying new brands, comparing spice levels, searching for that perfect burn in the back of my throat like a sober dragon.
My Top 5 Ginger Beers That Slap Harder Than a Hangover:
Fever-Tree – My personal go-to. Balanced, flavorful, just the right kick without going full ginger-ninja.
Bundaberg – Australian. Comes with a pull-tab. Feels like a treat every single time. Deep flavor. Classy burn.
Gosling’s – Classic. Caribbean vibes. Dark and stormy? More like bold and comforting.
Trader Joe’s – Surprisingly strong ginger bite for a store brand. Like finding out your quiet friend can throw a punch.
Barritt’s – Old school. A little less heat, but plenty of charm. Solid everyday drinker.
Honorable Mention: Betty Buzz – Crisp, light, and super clean. Plus, Blake Lively made it, and I support sober overachievers.
I don’t need beer anymore. I’ve got a hobby, a ritual, a little reward that doesn’t come with shame or regret.
Ginger beer reminds me that recovery doesn’t have to be bland. That you can still seek flavor, experience, and yes—even a little fire—without playing with matches.
And in a world full of NA beers I can’t trust…
Ginger beer gets me.
Jason Mayo is the creator and founder of Sober Not Subtle. He is a certified recovery peer advocate in New York. Before working in recovery, Jason was owner and executive producer of award winning visual effects and animation companies in NYC.
He currently writes for The Sober Curator, has been a contributing writer for the Forbes Business Council, creator of the popular Dad blog Out-Numbered, and author of the children’s books, “Do Witches Make Fishes?” and “The Boy and the Billy Goat.” His debut memoir, In Case of Emergency, Break Childhood is due out Fall 2025.
Jason has been sober since March 25th, 2010.
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