Raynham Police Officer Launches Sober Sips Society Inspired by Personal Journey of Recovery
Detective Russell Berry of the Raynham Police Department had always turned to alcohol as a way to cope with the stresses of life. After two decades in law enforcement, Russell…
Mocktails. Stock Photo
Detective Russell Berry of the Raynham Police Department had always turned to alcohol as a way to cope with the stresses of life. After two decades in law enforcement, Russell acknowledged in 2024 that the pressures of his career had taken a substantial toll on himself and his family. He knew he had to get sober if he wanted to see the change he had wanted in his life.
Now sober for a year, Russell has teamed up with his wife, Jessie, to launch a new business, the Sober Sips Society.
While the Sober Sips Society presently operates in an online-only format, it offers various beverages, such as non-alcoholic wine, beer, spirits, and canned mocktails, such as mojitos, ginger lime mules, margaritas, and cosmopolitans.
According to a Taunton Daily Gazette report, Russell's idea for the Sober Sips Society originated from a visit to Tennessee to visit a friend. During his visit, he discovered a shop selling only non-alcoholic beverages. Jessie said Russell was encouraged by the idea, which led her to discover that only three non-alcoholic stores existed in Massachusetts: two in Boston and one in Easthampton.
Jessie decided to change careers and turn what was the seed of inspiration into the business concept for the Sober Sips Society. Many of the selections go through de-alcoholization before they're sold. After the fermentation or distillation process, the alcohol is extracted from the finished product.
“It's made like a regular spirit; they just remove the alcohol,” said Jessie.
Sober Sips Society only offers delivery and pickup for orders. In addition to Raynham, the delivery area includes surrounding municipalities, including Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Easton, Lakeville, Middleboro, Taunton, and West Bridgewater.
Russell said he feels much healthier now and appreciates being able to bring his own non-alcoholic beverages to social gatherings. “I can still enjoy social activities because of these options,” he said.
