Hyena Brewing Up a Healthy Alternative to Alcohol
Chris and Mike Solcz are flipping the script on what a beer can be.
After witnessing the negative effects of alcohol in their younger years, the brothers set out to create a non-alcoholic beer that combined bold flavour with added health benefits.
“After high school, I was working in a trade I wasn’t passionate about and sort of living for the weekend,” shares Chris. “My friends and I were partying a lot and it went from something that was once fun to something that really starting negatively impacting my mental and physical health.”
As Chris was re-evaluating his own habits, Mike found himself at a similar crossroads. Though he had built a successful career in e-commerce and even invented a popular backyard game, Frizbowl, he began to feel a disconnect between the product’s focus on partying and the values he was starting to embrace.
Inspired by their family’s strong entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to create something more meaningful, the brothers started envisioning a “better for you” company; one that prioritized wellness, sustainability, and a lifestyle that felt more aligned with the people they were becoming.
And so, the idea for Hyena was born.
Chris admits that prioritizing wellness and leaving drinking behind initially felt isolating, but it soon became clear they weren’t alone.
“The concept really came from wanting to bring together these two worlds that aren’t traditionally related – beer and wellness,” he shares. “We saw there was a community for it.”
“We started doing some research and found there was a really big gap for anything functional in non-alcoholic beer,” adds Mike. “We thought a beer infused with electrolytes would really work, especially because many of the people who drink non-alcoholic beer, like athletes, are also focused on hydration.”
After nearly two years of research and development, the brothers brewed their first functional non-alcoholic beer; a hoppy, India Pale Ale (IPA) style beverage with just 60 calories, 550 milligrams of electrolytes, and broad-spectrum ocean minerals.
Mike says they went through several iterations before perfecting the recipe, which includes a liquid electrolyte solution sourced from Australia.
“The solution is harvested from deep ocean water and concentrated through solar evaporation,” says Chris. “Our minerals are carefully sourced from a remote, pristine ocean water source in a way that protects surrounding marine ecosystems. This sustainable process was very important to us, and it creates one of the most bioavailable forms of electrolytes available, naturally rich in magnesium, potassium, and other essential trace minerals.”
While the pair are passionate about brewing a non-alcoholic beer with clean-label ingredients and no sugar or additives, they’re just as focused on creating something great tasting that people actually feel good, even ‘cool,’ drinking.
“We love the taste of craft beer, and we wanted to make something that allowed people to enjoy the flavour without the negative aftereffects,” says Chris. “We also really wanted to focus on the branding and make Hyena something people were excited to order; a cool-looking can without a giant ZERO on it.”
Mike adds that with Hyena, they’re building more than a beverage; they’re fostering a community of people pursuing healthier lifestyles. It’s not just for athletes or wellness enthusiasts; it’s for anyone who wants to feel included, connected, and confident in their choice not to drink alcohol.
The brothers say their initial offering has been embraced by many establishments across Windsor-Essex, including fitness facilities, shops, and breweries, as well as bars, cafes, and restaurants. They’ve also been a part of several community gatherings including the Via Italia bike races, local run clubs, and other sporting events.
“We were born and raised in Windsor and we have had such amazing support here so far; it’s exciting to watch this community grow right here in our own backyard,” says Mike.
As the market for non-alcoholic beverages continues to expand, the brothers are currently back in R&D mode developing their next release. Looking forward, Chris says they plan to explore even more styles in the coming year while hopefully expanding their reach across Canada.
“We’re collecting feedback at our events and asking people, ‘What do you want to see next?’” says Mike. “It’s very grassroots and these groups are really helping shape what we make.”
