The non-alcoholic beer market has come a very long way. These days, no-buzz beers actually taste, well, like beer (which is a good thing!). They have flavour, depth, and character, just like their boozy cousins. In BC alone, the excellent options include iOTA from Phillips Brewing, Low Vis from Whistle Buoy Brewing Company, and Nevertheless from Strange Fellows Brewing.

And soon throwing its hat into the ring is Dry Goods. The brand, a collaboration between David Bowkett of Powell Brewery and Doug Stephen of Downlow Brands (DL Chicken, The Drive Canteen, Downlow Burgers, Vennie’s Sub Shop), is launching this Thursday (April 11) at both Powell Brewery and The Drive Canteen (with more stockists to follow soon).

Billed as a drink for beer lovers—just, you know, minus the booze—Dry Goods will launch with three options: West Coast IPA, Grapefruit IPA, and Classic Pilsner.

“Our goal was to create a non-alcoholic beer alternative that tastes like beer—from colour, smell, to taste,” says Bowkett, who runs Powell Brewery with his wife Nicole Stefanopoulos, in a statement. “We think we’ve achieved this, and look forward to working on more styles very soon. There might even be a non-alc sour beer on the horizon.”

For Stephen, this venture is a personal one.

“I’ve been pretty open about my personal struggles with drinking, which have led me to a life of sobriety,” says the entrepreneur, who co-owns all of his businesses with his wife Lindsey Mann. “So having the chance to be a part of something that isn't just qualitatively outrageous, but also really suits my personal lifestyle was great. I can’t wait for people to give Dry Goods Beer a taste.”

We can’t wait, either.