Something significant is happening in Canada’s drinks culture. Between June 2023 and June 2024, total sales of non-alcoholic beverages in Canada grew 24% compared to the previous 12 months, according to a NIQ Research report published in September 2024. That’s $199 million. The spike is due in good measure to beverage alcohol consumers reaching for non-alcoholic expressions of their favourite drinks from time to time.
Bottle shops in the Ottawa area are taking notice, expanding their selections of alcohol-free beer, wine, ciders, spirits, and ready to drink cocktails. And they’re making sure what they sell tastes terrific, not ho-hum.
Knyota Drinks. Photo provided
One of them is Knyota Drinks, an invitingly decorated, fully dedicated no-alcohol bottle shop on Bank Street in Centretown. “I wanted to have a different relationship with alcohol,” the founder Knyota Drinks, Benson Mutalemwa, relayed to me. “But I didn’t want to lose the ritual of having a beverage”. Benson was sure others felt the same. It motivated him to open his bottle shop in 2022 and an on-line store that offers delivery. Flash forward to today, the NIQ Research report backs him up. So do his sales numbers.
In June, Benson and I sat down at his tasting room’s table to talk about Knyota’s Guided Shopping & Tasting Experience, his excitement for non-imitation products, what he’s drinking, and – because it is BBQ / patio / porch / beach party season – the non-alcoholic drinks to bring with you to ensure you’ll be invited back.
Their selection is as large as the day is long
Knyota Drinks has close to 300 different adult appropriate, non-alcoholic products available for immediate purchase at the Bank Street store, or from their on-line store if you prefer. They deliver for a flat fee. “It would be hard pressed for anyone to find a place in Ottawa that has this many different non-alcoholic options,” Benson beamed.
Knyota Drinks non alcoholic rums. Photo provided
The selection spans from craft beer to wines, ciders to spirits, ready to drink cocktails and more. Although they sell products from around the world, the shop’s shelves are also loaded with creations from Ontario and across Canada. For example, in Benson’s glass these days, when it isn’t craft beer, its a lightly sparkling fermented beverage called RubyBrew from Ottawa drink maker Checkers!. What’s more, their recent non-alcoholic beer club box featured only Ontario breweries. It was six different breweries, 12 different beers. 24 bottles total.
Their Guided Shopping and Tasting Experience takes you to the next level
This is a guided tasting of four one ounce pours to help Benson and his team recommend drinks that suit your tastes and to guide you away from ones that won’t. It is an opportunity to spend a few dollars on a sample instead of purchasing the bottle for much more, only to be disappointed when you open it because it falls short of your expectations. Throughout the session, you’ll receive practical advice on how to shop for non-alcoholic drinks (think tips, tricks, anecdotes, and avoiding common pitfalls). You can choose from wine, beer, or spirits. The spirits tasting caught my eye. I want to know which bottles on the shelf will appeal to my senses when they’re served in refreshing cocktails with a summer-time-is-here feel.
Their Non-Imitation Collection goes all in on flavour
Non-alcoholic drinks can mirror the aromas and flavours of their with-alcohol siblings. A non-alcoholic gin. A non-alcoholic pilsner. A non-alcoholic cider. And why shouldn’t they. It is an experience we want. Benson has a list of these crowd pleasers, “We know the ones that have the most repeat purchases.” He’ll help you to select drinks to bring to a BBQ / patio / porch / beach party to ensure you’ll be invited back.
Knyota Drinks bottle shop. Photo provided
Knyota’s “Non-Imitation Collection” is different a creature. These drinks don’t have a with-alcohol sibling. They aim to wow your senses. Flavour exploration is the goal. One example is a dry sparkling Rosé from Töst made with white tea, ginger, elderberry, and organic blue agave. I’m intrigued. How about you?
Knyota is located at 104 Bank Street, and open every day of the week. There is a small step outside, so the storefront is not wheelchair accessible.
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