How to Join the Round When You Are Not Drinking Alcohol

There is a moment that every non-drinker knows. The waiter comes around, everyone orders a beer, and you ask for a soft drink. The table goes quiet for a second, and someone asks if you are okay.

Most of the time, you do not want the alcohol. You want to be part of the round with everyone else.

What SOMA is and how it tastes

That is why SOMA exists. SOMA is a craft beer brewed with malt, hops and yeast, and it is fermented with a yeast that keeps the alcohol under 0.5% ABV. It looks, pours and tastes like any other beer. You will not get a buzz from it, and you will not wake up with a hangover.

If you order a SOMA IPA, you are drinking a hazy IPA. It is juicy and tropical, and it has a full body. If a friend asks for a sip, let them try it. Tasting it is the quickest way to understand what SOMA is.

Why people choose not to drink alcohol

Many people choose not to drink alcohol. Some are athletes in training, and some are taking medication. Others do not like how alcohol makes them feel, or they have stopped drinking for reasons they do not need to explain at dinner.

Non-alcoholic drinks are growing quickly. Global sales of non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits doubled between 2019 and 2023, according to IWSR figures that we list, with their source, on our numbers page.

What to order instead of a mocktail or water

For a long time, the choice at most tables was a sweet mocktail or a glass of water. Now there is a third option: a craft beer that stays under 0.5% ABV.

So the next time the waiter comes around, order a non-alcoholic beer.

SOMA's five beers and when they ship

SOMA makes five beers: a Lager, an IPA, a Belgian Wit, a Stout and a Caffeinated Stout. Prices start at ₹119 for a 250ml can. SOMA was founded in Bangalore, India. We are taking pre-orders now. Production starts after December 2026, and nothing ships before then.