Traditionally, the end of a long workday often meant one thing: a drink to unwind, shake off fatigue, and recharge for tomorrow. But now, this age-old ritual is being redefined—introducing Aftershift, a limited-edition non-alcoholic beer created by Athletic Brewing in collaboration with five renowned chefs: Chris Shepherd, David Chang, Ashley Christensen, Sarah Grueneberg, and Chris Cosentino.
More than just a refreshing beverage, Aftershift honors Mental Health Awareness Month and aims to support the restaurant industry through a portion of proceeds donated to the Southern Smoke Foundation. This nonprofit, founded by Shepherd, provides mental health care and crisis assistance to restaurant workers nationwide.
Crafted for the Moment of Relaxation
Golden in color and brewed with kaffir lime leaves and grapefruit, Aftershift offers a refreshing, slightly sour flavor profile. It’s low in alcohol (less than 0.5%) and light on calories, with only 55 per serving—perfect for those moments when you want to relax without the effects of a traditional alcoholic drink.
What truly sets Aftershift apart is its origin story and purpose. The beer is the result of a collaborative effort among the five chefs, who each contributed ideas and tweaks remotely—adjusting hop dosage, flavor balance, and finish—until they landed on the perfect recipe designed to celebrate the moment right after service.
Chris Shepherd explains:
“A shift can be anything. When you’ve finished something—yard work, a long day, whatever—that moment when you just want to sit down and eat something good. People deserve that personal reward.”
Reimagining the Post-Work Ritual
For decades, the restaurant industry has embraced alcohol as the primary way to unwind. However, that culture is shifting, especially among chefs who understand the toll stress takes on both body and mind.
Shepherd reflects on the challenge of decompressing after late-night shifts:
“You get off work at midnight or one in the morning, and you go to a bar, have 12 cocktails, and end up alone at home, hot and sweaty. Most people get off work at five and go to bed around 10. But if you get off work at one in the morning, the same five hours of relaxation will put you in bed at six in the morning—now you’re in a bad mood. That’s when you need to talk to someone.”
Aftershift was crafted not just as an alcohol substitute, but as a symbol of care and community in an industry where those are often lacking. Shepherd envisions a future where bars offer more than just drinks—”Why can’t we go to a bar and have a midnight kickball game? Isn’t that normal?” he asks.
Supporting Mental Health in the Restaurant Industry
This new beer is tied to a broader movement within the industry to prioritize mental health. Shepherd helped launch Behind You, a program by Southern Smoke Foundation that provides free mental health care to restaurant workers in multiple states and Washington, D.C., offering up to 20 therapy sessions through partnerships with university psychology departments.
“We started this brand because people didn’t have anything to turn to—alone, nervous, at six in the morning, with nowhere to go,” Shepherd shares. “This beer isn’t going to solve that problem, but it’s part of the shift.”
$50,000 from Aftershift sales will directly support the Southern Smoke Foundation’s efforts to create better mental health resources for restaurant workers. Shepherd notes, “For some reason, people listen to chefs. When you have a team that can really stand behind great food, and it’s from a brand that people trust, it’s a no-brainer.”
Availability and Final Thoughts
Aftershift is currently available exclusively on Athletic Brewing’s website while supplies last. It’s more than a beer—it’s a step toward reshaping how we think about workday rituals, mental health, and community care within the restaurant world and beyond.
For anyone who’s ever needed a moment to breathe after a hard day’s work, Aftershift offers a refreshing new way to relax—mindfully, supportively, and without compromise.
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