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SOCIETY VS. SOBRIETY
The Non-Alcoholic Beverage Industry is On the Rise
An interview with Josh the Nonalcoholic and Ocean Beach Cafe owner
Josh James or Joshthenonalcoholic per his IG handle and Youtube channel is a purveyor and aficionado of alcohol-free beverages.
Josh was a career bartender for 15 years. He lived in Hawaii for a time and enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle of playing music and making a living as a traveling bartender. He surfs, is easily handsome with a gruff but arresting voice that makes listening to or watching his reviews that much more enjoyable, and has a coastal Californian vibe that is welcoming, warm, and fun-loving.
When I asked Josh for an interview he agreed right away with sincere enthusiasm. As a new cafe owner that has been overwhelmed with responsibilities which is a far cry from carefree Hawaii living, and recently posted on his social media about having to take a mental health breather, I took his openness to chat with me as an honor.
His first #Noboozereviews was posted to Youtube in July of 2020 after having decided to take a year break from drinking alcohol. About two months into his year of not drinking, his brother suggested he go to Friendship House. A Native American rehab his brother attended 12 years prior that changed his brother’s life. Josh points out that he is Native American and enjoying an alcohol-free life while running a business.
An honest feat as the rates of substance abuse among Native Americans is generally much higher than those of the general US population.
Talk about breaking generational barriers.
As I spoke with Josh he had a call from an alcohol-free IPA vendor that he was really excited about. I felt guilty taking up any of his time as he was obviously busy. He called me right back and spoke clearly with an excitable passion for what he does.
When did you get a taste for Non-alcoholic beverages?
For me, it was deciding to take a year off of drinking that changed everything. My brother suggested I check out this treatment facility for Native Americans in San Francisco. I went and it was an AA-based house. Sober…
