The Daily Pour, the top media and events platform founded by entrepreneur and TV personality Dan Abrams, announced the expansion of its award-winning Drinks with Benefits (DWB) festival after an inaugural 2025 event that welcomed over 1,000 attendees and $5 million in sponsorships. The festival will now span two days, dedicated to the booming world of non-alcoholic, functional, and better-for-you beverages. The event kicks off September 16th with the DWB Summit, a select gathering for trade professionals and founders followed by a full day of immersive consumer experiences open to the public.

DWB Summit: September 16th

The DWB Summit is designed exclusively for trade insiders, entrepreneurs, and founders shaping the future of the category. The Summit has already lined up an all-star roster of industry leaders, including Bill Shufelt (Athletic Brewing), Evan Kleiman (Single Bottles), Erik Joesten (Investor), Tyler Bowman (Industry Collective), and Asher (Distill Natures & De Raining). Other confirmed speakers include Chris Glazer (Cult NA Beverage), Charlie Grattan (No Proof Wines), Blanca Seserin (Chirp), Emily Lanksy (Aplos), Dante Winn (Kin), Pete Rourke (Grän Club), Pat Courtney (Chrome Spirit), Nick Kleiss (Spirit Way), Alex Neuzer (Hospitality Performer), Nicolas Guillentin (Popus), Owen Trammell (At Sun Dig), Vanessa Mastroiotto (Culinary Wealth), Innes Maskin (Nightlife), and Roni Kernichter (Yes).

With limited spots available, the Summit offers an intimate, high-value day of programming including:

  • Entrepreneurship: The Pivot from Corporate to Creator
  • Raising Capital — insights from investors backing the next generation of beverage brands
  • The Unglamorous Aspects of Selling
  • The Evolution of the Wine Occasion
  • Female Founders Experience
  • Winning the Retail Game

Drinks with Benefits Festival: September 17th

The next day, Drinks with Benefits, which was named one of the top 10 Best Specialty Food Festivals by USA Today, Standout Fall Festival by BizBash, and #1 NA Event by After Magazine, opens its doors to trade and consumers on September 17th at the Altman Building in NYC for a multisensory experience which includes:

  • Tasting Gallery: An exclusive showcase of industry-leading non-alcoholic and functional brands, featuring Sylva by Ben Branson, Tom Holland's Bero, Double Gold award-winners Oddbird and Varnum Vintners, and Ayrloom—New York's top-selling hemp brand.
  • A Curated Culinary VIP Experience: Featuring innovative plant-based dishes from abcV, Le Botaniste, JaJaJa Mexicana, and Délice & Sarrasin, paired with artisanal appetizers by Murray's Cheese and handcrafted French cream puffs from Barachou.
  • Rhythms Lounge: A sober rave directed by ALTRD, fusing live music, breathwork, and craft non-alcoholic elixirs.
  • Mixology Lab: A hands-on experience designed for both curious drinkers and industry insiders to craft their own zero-proof creations.
  • Wellness Sanctuary: Offering a guided meditation experience by Keri Karo of the Age and Sound wellness studio.
  • Art Show curated by Cindy Lisica Gallery: Bringing a visual art dimension to the world of wellness, there will be a curated selection of contemporary art by some of today's most vibrant artists including Dan Argen (San Francisco) and Brian Brown (BCA), Kelly Boehmer.

A full list of participating brands and activations can be found on the Drinks with Benefits website.

A Cultural Shift in How People Drink

As more consumers than ever are rethinking their relationship with alcohol and more carefully curating their consumption, Drinks with Benefits and parent company, The Daily Pour, have become industry leaders.

"We're witnessing one of the biggest cultural shifts in how people drink," said Dan Abrams, founder of The Daily Pour. "Consumers today want options that fit their lifestyle, whether that's a glass of wine or now more than ever, a high quality alcohol-free drink. Drinks with Benefits was built to celebrate that shift and give people a place to explore it in a way that's fun, delicious and genuinely exciting."

The data speaks for itself:

  • 1 in 3 adults now identify as mindful drinkers, actively reducing alcohol consumption while exploring non-alcoholic alternatives
  • 33% of Millennials and 28% of Gen Z say they actively moderate their alcohol intake
  • 47% of consumers are replacing alcohol on certain occasions with functional drinks
  • 3 in 5 consumers now view non-alcoholic beverages as part of their wellness routine, rather than a marker of abstinence

Tickets and Registration

DWB Summit seats are extremely limited and available to trade professionals and founders on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve your Summit seat at: Drinks With Benefits Summit | The Daily Pour

For more information on the consumer session, tickets, and the full schedule of events, visit: www.drinkswithbenefits.com

For media inquiries, interview requests, and image requests, please contact: Krista Drew, krista@drewcommunications.com, 203-536-9968

About The Daily Pour

Founded in 2024 by entrepreneur and TV personality Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour is the ultimate media and events platform for the modern drinker. Through its AI-powered app, major social following, original videos and best-in-class tasting festivals around the country, The Daily Pour delivers trusted recommendations, cultural context, and premium experiences across whiskey, tequila, agave, rum, and various non-alcoholic categories. To learn more, visit: thedailypour.com