Episode description

It was great getting the chance to chat with brittany, someone who is not only a consumer of n/a beverages, sober, but also a creator of a new non-alcoholic amaro called 'namari.' We chat through her decision to remove alcohol, how she creates n/a beverages at The Dutchess, and what led to the creation of namari. Thanks for the time and honesty, brittany.

Brittany Naing is the Assistant General Manager, and also oversees the bar/non-alcoholic cocktail program for The Dutchess, an all-day bakery, café and Burmese restaurant in Ojai, California. Brittany worked as a chef for many years before delving into the cocktail world, so she applies that culinary mindset when developing beverages at this eclectic restaurant, which draws inspiration from her husband and Chef/Partner Saw Naing’s Burmese-Indian heritage. She and her bar team utilize local, artisan spirits and craft plenty of housemade ingredients (non-alcoholic infusions, vermouths, bitters, tinctures, syrups and more) to align with the restaurant’s philosophy of sourcing as much as possible from within 50 miles. In December 2022, Brittany became sober, and this journey has inspired her to expand even more upon The Dutchess’ thoughtful, non-alcoholic cocktail menu. Additionally, her love for amaro led to her launching a non-alcoholic, artisan amaro in 2020 called Namari.

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6