Sober October Is Here, and Three-Time 2026 Award Winner Drybridge No. 86 Is Betting the Future of NA Whiskey Belongs at the Bar

The San Diego-born, whiskey-inspired non-alcoholic spirit is heading into Sober October with a bigger mission: pushing the category beyond alcohol substitution and into the sipping ritual, bar culture and nightlife.

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The non-alcoholic spirits category has spent years answering one question: What can you drink instead?

Drybridge No. 86 is asking a different one: Why should the ritual have to change?

The San Diego-born, veteran-owned whiskey-inspired non-alcoholic spirit was developed around a simple premise: someone choosing not to drink alcohol should still be able to sit at the bar, pick up a heavy rocks glass and have something worth sipping slowly.

Heading into Sober October, that positioning now comes with significant industry validation. It took 172 formulations, tasting sessions and feedback from whiskey drinkers, bartenders and hospitality professionals before arriving at the version that became Batch 173. Launched this year, Drybridge No. 86 has already earned three 2026 award wins spanning taste and design:

• American Whiskey of the Year at the 2026 International Non-Alcoholic Competition
• Silver Award with a score of 80 at the 2026 Summer PR%F Awards tasting competition
• Double Gold at the 2026 Summer PR%F Awards design competition

Awarded for taste. Recognized for design. Built for the ritual.

SOBER OCTOBER, WITHOUT SITTING OUT

That philosophy becomes especially relevant during Sober October, when consumers across the country will experiment with going 31 days without alcohol.

No. 86's invitation to them is simple:

86 the alcohol. Not your social life.

Keep the reservation. Keep the concert. Keep the rocks glass.

"Drinking less doesn't mean you suddenly stop liking bars, whiskey glasses, live music, good dinners or staying out late," said Nichols. "For me, this started with wanting to drink less without giving up the parts of the experience I actually enjoyed."

ABOUT DRYBRIDGE NO. 86

Drybridge No. 86 is a veteran-owned, San Diego-based, whiskey-inspired non-alcoholic sipping spirit co-founded by Navy veteran Sean Sailes and Jason Nichols.

Drybridge No. 86 is available at DrinkNo86.com, Amazon and at select bars throughout San Diego.

MEDIA CONTACT
Ella Hauptman
[email protected]

SOURCE Drybridge No. 86