Earlier this month, we headed down to London to film a special live podcast recording hosted by Chance Clean Cider and Sober Boozers Club, recorded at the pub from Lucky Saint.
It was a same-day Manchester to London and back mission for the Coolbox crew. A long one, but a great road trip. On the ground were four of us: Marc directing, Cal and Jess on cameras, and Connor on sound. The setup was designed to capture the energy of a live audience while keeping the conversation clean, intimate and polished for both video and audio platforms.
The Conversation: Dry January 2026 in Review
The episode, titled We’re Still Drinking, Just Differently, brought together a strong panel of voices from across the no and low alcohol space. Hosted by Ben Gibbs and John Logue, the discussion featured insights from Alcohol Change UK, Lucky Saint, Counter Culture Drinks, Sober Happy Free, and representatives from the non alcoholic cider category.
The headline statistic set the tone. 17.5 million people aimed to go alcohol free this January. Beyond the number, the conversation explored what is really shifting. Smarter behavioural support, better quality alcohol free drinks, and a cultural move toward alcohol free being normal, not niche.
From Try Dry’s daily check ins reportedly doubling completion rates, to £1.55bn saved since 2018 and 258 million units of alcohol skipped, the panel unpacked how Dry January® is creating measurable impact. On the hospitality side, Lucky Saint’s 100,000 pint giveaway turned January into something social rather than isolating. Proof that pubs can thrive by serving everyone.
A strong thread throughout was inclusion. Offering more than a token 0.0 option, curating thoughtful AF menus, and creating spaces where moderators, athletes, pregnant guests, designated drivers and people in recovery all feel catered for.
Production & Deliverables
We filmed the session over several hours in the pub, capturing a multi camera edit with high quality, multi track audio. The atmosphere, rainy Tuesday outside and warm and lively inside, gave the episode a grounded, authentic feel.
Coolbox delivered a full edited podcast episode running 1 hour and 22 minutes, alongside a polished audio only version for streaming platforms and a selection of teaser and promotional social clips.
The final episode has now been delivered to Ben at Sober Boozers Club and John and the team at Chance Clean Cider, and is streaming online.
A Space That’s Growing Fast
One of the most interesting takeaways from the day was just how quickly the alcohol free category is maturing. The panel discussed AF taps sitting alongside alcoholic lines, credible no alcohol cocktails, and the warning that macro brands will inevitably flood the space if venues do not prioritise quality and discovery.
The momentum is clear and culturally, things are shifting.
For us, it was a brilliant project to be part of. Insightful conversation, a strong live atmosphere, and a client passionate about where the category is heading. Long day, great team, and a podcast that captures a genuine moment of change in the industry.
You can listen/watch the full podcast on Spotify, or on YouTube below: