# Non-Alcoholic Cherry-Chocolate Stouts Mash Gang's Lesser Evil is a Decadent 0.5% ABV Option By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-01-13 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mash-gangs-lesser-evil References: [beveragedaily](https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2025/01/13/new-beverage-innovations-in-alcohol-free-low-alcohol/) & [mashgang](https://mashgang.com/products/lesser-evil-0-5-cherry-chocolate-stout-440ml)  In Dry January, sober-curious consumers are spoiled for choice as fresh, non-alcoholic options hit the market, ranging from crisp lagers to comforting stouts like [Mash Gang's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mash-gang) Lesser Evil. Lesser Evil is a chocolate cherry stout, a true treat in the winter, that blends the decadence of chocolate with the creaminess of oats and just the right balance of sweet, tart cherry juice. This vegan-friendly and dairy-free non-alcoholic stout began as [Reign in Blood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patriotic-beverage-releases), a collaboration made possible with [Oslo’s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hotspot) Amundsen Brewery, and now lives on as what Mash Gang describes as "Reign’s indulgent American sibling." Alongside the 0.5% ABV cherry chocolate stout, Mash Gang unveiled two other non-alcoholic beers in January: Glug, a remix on the classic lager style with notes of masa, candied lime and gooseberry, and Journey Juice, a mango-chili IPA with sweet, spicy and sour flavors. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 33% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sober-curious Movement:** The growth of non-alcoholic craft beverages caters to consumers exploring a sober lifestyle while still enjoying complex flavors. - **Flavor Innovation in Non-alcoholic Beverages:** Unique flavor combinations like cherry-chocolate present new avenues for product differentiation in the non-alcoholic beer segment. - **Vegan-friendly Non-alcoholic Drinks:** Rising demand for plant-based non-alcoholic beverages prompts new product development without dairy or animal-derived ingredients. ### Where This Applies - **Non-alcoholic Beverage Industry:** The increasing variety in non-alcoholic options, such as stouts and IPAs, is reshaping consumer experiences in the beverage sector. - **Craft Beer Market:** Emerging non-alcoholic craft brews indicate a shift towards innovative beer styles that prioritize flavor without compromising sobriety. - **Functional Food and Beverage Industry:** The integration of unique ingredients such as oat creaminess and tart cherry juice in beverages demonstrates advancement in functional flavor profiles. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Alcohol-Free Gose Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cherry-gose.md) - [Low-ABV Brown Ales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lowabv-brown-ales.md) - [Non-Alcoholic Nitro Stouts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nirvana-nitro-stout.md) - [Low-Calorie Non-Alcoholic Brews](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/partake-brewing.md) - [Zero-Alcohol Cherry Ciders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ground-control-00.md) - [Refined Alcohol-Free Beer Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mash-gang.md) - [Ultra-Rich Non-Alcoholic Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deschutes-brewery.md) - [Craft-Style Non-Alcoholic Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/craftstyle-nonalcoholic-beers.md) - [Sober Craft Beer Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nonalcoholic-craft-beer.md)