Non-alcoholic beverages, often called "non-alc" drinks, have witnessed a surge in popularity as an increasing number of consumers opt for health-conscious drinking alternatives. Polka, a business based in Adelaide, is contributing to this growth with a unique approach.
Founded by Ben Mellows and his wife Emma, Polka is situated in a city renowned for its wine but has chosen a different path. "Non-alc has been around for a long, long time, but we wanted to do it in a different way and so we found the right style of products to do that and took it from one product to now six," stated Ben Mellows. Since the launch of a sparkling cuvee with wild harvested native lilly pilly in 2021, Polka has expanded to include additional products such as a sparkling rosé made from native botanical Davidson plum, a blood orange Italian aperitif, and a pink grapefruit botanical spirit.
Ben remarked on the significance of flavor and texture in mimicking the drinking experience of alcoholic beverages. "We have a really strong focus on flavour and having textures that will replicate the drinking experience of a normal alcoholic drink," he said.
Polka, having experienced growth from its inception, is planning further expansion. "We’ve grown from day one and our next opportunity is really going into more product formats," Ben explained. Their expansion includes ready-to-drink small format products and additional ranges of natural drinks like spritzes.
While catering to Australian climate and taste preferences, Polka is attentive to the global demand for non-alcoholic options. As a small business, access to capital is vital for Polka. Ben stressed its importance, especially in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Polka, among the 766,000 small businesses banking with NAB, appreciates the support. "Having access to capital is a huge part of doing anything in business but particularly if you are looking to make fast-moving consumer goods," he noted.
Polka's collaboration with manufacturers involves navigating minimum order requirements and substantial investments in marketing. Thus, having a supportive bank is crucial. "So having a bank that will support you through your growth is really important. Working with NAB has been very important for that and will continue to be more important as we enter new markets," Ben added.
The non-alcoholic beverage market's growth sees it transition from niche to mainstream, with expectations for brands to contribute more than just the removal of alcohol. "Using Australian botanical extracts really helps us stand out and create different flavour notes," Ben said.
Krissie Jones, NAB small business executive, highlighted the potential for small businesses in the non-alc sector: "Non-alc has exploded in popularity in recent years and small businesses are uniquely positioned to capitalise on this growth sector...Smaller, bespoke producers also have wide appeal on social media and can target their advertising to different audiences with successful results."
Polka's journey underscores innovation, flavor, and the significance of banking support in the non-alcoholic beverage sector.