Understanding Ingredients And Additives In Zero-Proof Beverages

As the no-and-low alcohol category continues to mature and grow, additives and sugar content have become a defining battleground. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Colangelo, Founder and CEO of Nota Bene Flavors, to unpack what it really takes to build compelling taste in modern beverage brands.

Michael brings a rare blend of big-company rigor and startup agility, with a career that began with flavoring medicines at Pfizer, eventually moving to help emerging craft beverage brands that include Surely and Arlow Wines in the no-and-low space. In our conversation, we explore how the NA consumer has shifted from primarily abstainers to a majority of people who still drink alcohol on other occasions, and why that shift fundamentally changes how flavorists think about balance, texture, and expectation. 

Michael shares his insights on the growing scrutiny around sugar content, sugar substitutes like stevia, and ingredient transparency, explaining how flavor chemistry intersects with wellness, reduced sugar goals, and shelf stability. The conversation also digs into common misconceptions around preservatives and “chemical additives,” separating fear from function, and offering a practical, science-backed view of what actually matters in formulation.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nota Bene Flavors

Surely Wines

Arlow Wines

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