Fine dining embraces alcohol-free pairings in Manchester
Alcohol-free wine brand Eisberg has joined forces with sobriety advocate Karl Considine and Michelin-recognised Manchester restaurant Erst to launch a new sober supper club, aiming to push alcohol-free wine further into the fine dining space.
Fine dining turns its attention to alcohol-free
Eisberg, Karl Considine and Erst are partnering on the launch of Soft Supper Club, a new dining series designed to show how alcohol-free drinks can operate as a considered pairing rather than simply an alternative.
The first event takes place on Sunday 25 January at Erst in Ancoats, Manchester.
The collaboration reflects a wider shift in hospitality, as moderation and alcohol-free options move more firmly into the mainstream. Despite growing demand for non-alcoholic drinks, many restaurants still struggle to integrate them into the dining experience, particularly where wine pairings are core to the offer.
Soft Supper Club addresses that gap by putting alcohol-free drinks at the centre of the meal. Guests will be served a series of small, sharing plates built around Erst’s ingredient-led, seasonal cooking, paired throughout with an apéritif, homemade sodas, palate cleansers and Eisberg’s premium alcohol-free range, Eisberg Selection. The line-up includes Blanc de Blancs, Grenache Rosé, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.
Growing confidence in alcohol-free wine
For Eisberg, the partnership highlights the role alcohol-free wine is now playing on modern wine lists, including in premium and fine dining settings.
Dan Harwood, guest sommelier and Managing Director for Eisberg’s SW Wines Europe, said: “We’re seeing growing interest from chefs, sommeliers and operators who want alcohol-free options that feel relevant, premium and food-friendly.
Partner Content
“Partnering with Karl and Erst allows us to show that alcohol-free wine can stand up in a Michelin-recognised environment and deliver a genuine pairing experience.”
Sobriety creator and speaker Karl Considine added: “Soft Supper Club is about showing that alcohol-free experiences don’t have to feel like a compromise. It’s just good food, good drinks and good company.”
Restaurant perspective
For Erst, the event is an opportunity to explore how alcohol-free pairings can sit alongside its produce-driven, modern approach while still delivering the sense of occasion expected from fine dining.
Will Sutton, Co-Founder at Erst, said: “We believe that all of our drinks options should feel exciting, celebratory and aligned with our cooking. As we think more carefully about our relationship to alcohol, Soft Supper Club is a fabulous opportunity to foreground our exploration of no and low alcohol options, alongside our support for drink start-up Fun Softs.”
Hosted by Considine, with pairings guided by Harwood, the event features communal seating aimed at encouraging conversation in a calm setting that offers a softer alternative to traditional dining and drinking culture.
Soft Supper Club is intended as the first in an ongoing series, with further editions planned at other venues across Manchester and beyond.
When: Sunday 25 January at 1pm and 3:30pm (2 x 2 hour sittings)
Where: Erst, Ancoats, Manchester
Related news
Southern French rosé gets a 0% makeover in Beau Viva
Why has Elton John launched an alcohol-free alternative to Champagne?
