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[Photo: Catherine celebrating the completion of her fourth Dry January with a cake!]
Every January, conversations around drinking seem to fall into two extremes: go all in, or opt out entirely. "Dry January" is often framed as a test of willpower or a temporary reset before returning to “normal.” For me, while reflecting on my 5th Dry January, it’s become something different: a reminder that strength doesn’t come from restriction, but from intention.
Growing up in a family built around brewing, beer was never just a product. Beer was art, science, creativity, and community. When my dad, Keith (who created Blue Moon beer) and mom, Jodi, decided to start Ceria as an alcohol‑free brewery, it wasn’t about rejecting beer culture, it was about expanding it. Dry January was one of the first places I realized how powerful that idea could be.
What I’ve learned is that choosing to limit or abstain from alcohol, whether for a month or long‑term, isn’t about giving something up. It’s about liberation. It’s about waking up with energy, being present in conversations, and trusting that you don’t need a buzz to enjoy the moment that you’re in. There’s a quiet confidence that comes with making choices that actually support how you want to feel. Some days those choices look like a Ceria after work while you’re still answering emails. Other days it’s bringing alcohol‑free beer to a gathering and realizing you don’t feel like you’re missing out at all. The real treat, however, comes from carrying that mindset and awareness forward into February, March, and beyond.
I want to acknowledge that some use this month as an opportunity to partake in "Damp January", where alcohol consumption is drastically reduced, which may be a huge challenge itself, and can lead to a healthier moderation throughout the year. Some even "zebra stripe", a term used when one decides to drink a non-alcoholic option between the fully leaded stuff. However it looks, working at Ceria has shown me how many people are reevaluating their relationship with alcohol. Many don’t want extremes, but everyone wants options. They want great‑tasting beer that fits into their lives, whether it's for weeknight dinners, during creative projects, after a tough workout, or simply because they like how it makes them feel the next day.
To me, this sort of liberation is having the awareness to choose what serves you - not just for a month, but for the long run. Dry January can be a powerful starting point, but long‑term balance is where the real change happens. It’s where mindful choices become habits which become values. It's where your choices start to feel natural instead of forced (okay, maybe they're occasionally still forced, but we're trying!).
At Ceria, we believe alcohol‑free beer isn’t a compromise; it’s an invitation to stay present, enjoy the ritual, and to build a relationship with beer that supports your life. If Dry January helped you notice what clarity feels like, you don’t have to give that feeling up when the month changes. Here’s to healthy habits, lasting balance, and choosing what feels good, today and tomorrow!
- Catherine Villa, Ceria's Marketing Manager