Reading · Zero Proof Nation™️ by Laura

The second annual Zero Proof Choice Awards and first annual Water Choice Awards took place on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, both put on by The Daily Pour!

If you’re just discovering Zero Proof Nation by Laura for the first time, here’s the gist: I write about global non-alcoholic beverage culture from the perspective of someone who’s been alcohol-free almost two decades.

Top row: on the top left, inclusive hospitality advocate, Tedx speaker, and sauna / sobriety facilitator Jen Veralle and I got together for dinner at Rosie’s (my hibiscus agua fresca is in the middle of the row) and dessert at The Little Cupcake Bakery. Top right: yours truly, 2x author / cocktail and hospitality educator / head judge — the one and only Derek Brown, and his partner in business and life, the creative genius Maria Bastasch.

Middle row: yours truly with Estelle Bossy, a career beverage director in NYC and my judging bestie both days; the whole group of us at the Zero Proof Choice Awards: Rich Buchanan, Andrew Eisbrouch, Alex Highsmith, Karl Franz Williams, Caleb Ganzer, Maria and Derek, LP O’Brien (Netflix Drinks Master winner and DC hometown girlie), and Abe Zarate. Middle right: my view from Central Park.

Bottom row: I had to go to Times Square just because (actually, my reason was selfish: I wanted to go to the M&M Store and get some goodies). Middle: Water Choice Awards judging panel, comprising yours truly, Ashley Epperson of Salacious Drinks; Cameron Smith of The Little Inn at Washington; Preston Boyer, artist and “the people’s water somm,” and Estelle. Bottom right: on the Amtrak Acela train back home with my Nouvie hat.

You’d think, it’s all non-alc so there’s no need to spit, right? Wrong. Unless you’re ready to balloon up a few extra pant sizes, you have to taste and spit. My first year I barely spit and I learned my lesson the hard way. Regardless of what you choose to do, your palate will start to get tired. Palate fatigue is real. This is why we had basic water crackers to soak up residual flavors hanging around on our tongues and inside cheeks, and why we also had a lunch break dividing up the day.

Also, contrary to what some might think, you won’t be tasting all categories as a Zero Proof Choice Awards judge. It’s just not possible to get through all the liquids, give them the attention they deserve, write thoughtful notes that the producers will see, and still have a functioning tongue at the end of the way. My categories were NA beers, NA non-functional RTDs, and wine occasion beverages (that are not dealcoholized wines).

For the Water Choice Awards, however, I tasted everything. Still, sparkling, and flavored waters. Even with a small amount of spitting, I felt hydrated, rejuvenated, and like I had just left a spa day 🧖‍♀️.

Some things to consider when tasting a liquid that you’ll be evaluating: appearance (color, opacity), aroma (my AFNA wine and beer certifications came in handy here, thinking of the wine aroma wheel), texture / mouthfeel, flavor, and length (do you still taste the beverage even a minute later or does it dissipate immediately?). Notes you’ll write can be basic or flowery, depending on your level of inspiration. Most liquids we tasted medaled (bronze = good; silver = really good; gold = incredible; double gold = stratospheric and all the judges are in agreement). Very rarely, a liquid didn’t medal, and we had to consider several factors including whether something spoiled in transit…or if it just wasn’t well constructed on any level, period. Mindful that someone put their heart and soul into the liquid, we were never mean and always constructive, but I can still imagine a producer’s heartache. Yes, it’s an honor to be a judge at a competition; it’s also quite the responsibility.

Wearing my signature lightning bolt ⚡️ and an Old Navy dress that felt apropos. Also, my nails 💅

If you’ve never been to the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore, just imagine a much smaller pre-tech boom Austin: a little over half a mile of funky boutiques, restaurants and bars, tattoo and ice cream parlors, and yes, Baltimore’s own non-alc bottle shop, Modern World. On the corner of the main drag, 36th St., is The Duchess, a cozy British pub serving Chamorro-inspired — from Guam — cuisine.

When I heard Anna Welker, former beverage manager at Topside by Revival and party responsible for Hyatt’s whole Zero Proof / Zero Judgments menu program, had taken over as the beverage manager at The Duchess, I knew this bar / restaurant would take its non-alc program very, very seriously.

Let’s talk about Hirie’s Homecoming (that’s the drink on the left of the photo row). Named for musician Hirie (Patricia “Trish” Jetton, of Filipina and British heritage, the perfect blend for The Duchess, which we now know as British pub with a Pacific Island (Guam) flavor), the “homecoming” in question refers to Hirie’s return to Hawaii, where she spent part of her youth, upon getting sober. The cocktail’s name is so thoughtful and intentional and still feels playful.

The beautiful spirit that changed the world. Or at least my world.

Served with an expressed lemon 🍋 peel, the beautiful citrus aroma greeted me as I took a sip of the cold liquid (kept frigid by the large block of ice in the center of the glass) and immediately recognized The Pathfinder, but in a totally new outfit: surrounded by macadamia orgeat, earthy and aromatic Earl Grey tea, and some salinity brought to us by the celery bitters.

Between Chef Kiko Fejarang’s island flavors and Anna Welker’s non-alc wizardry, The Duchess should be on everyone’s radar.

PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE DUCHESS

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Let’s say you’re traveling and want to find a non-alc bottle shop, booze-free bar, or other types of NA-forward hospitality, retail, and experiences. Where do you turn?

The ZPN Global Map of NA, that’s where. ⤵️