Brez vs Hiyo Review 2025: The Ultimate Alcohol Alternative Comparison

Discovering the Brands

Brez

Brez is a modern alternative to cocktails, coffee, or sleep aids. Their beverages combine ancient ingredients like cannabis, lion's mane, reishi, and other botanicals with modern processes like nano-emulsification.

📍 The concept is clear: guaranteed, fast-acting, short-lasting, and stackable effects, so everyone can adjust their experience while staying in control. You can drink one can and feel a pleasant effect within 5 to 15 minutes that lasts about 1.5 hours. You can also have a second one if you want to extend the experience without losing clarity.

The brand offers products with THC and CBD, as well as THC-free formulas based on mushrooms and adaptogens. They emphasize the legality of hemp-derived THC under the 2018 Farm Bill, with sales authorized to adults 21 and older in most states.

The Complete Brez Lineup:

💡 This first impression is encouraging! Brez is a serious brand with real science behind their products. The nano-emulsification allows for rapid absorption, which eliminates the fear of a "bad trip."

Hiyo

Hiyo is an organic social tonic brand built around a mix of adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals. Their signature effect, "the float," feels like a fairly light sense of relaxation.

📍 The story behind the brand is touching. In April 2019, two of the co-founders, Evan Quinn and George Youmans, saw family members hospitalized for alcohol-related issues. In their twenties and very social, they discovered there was a huge need for a real alcohol alternative. Together with their friend Cygne Cooper, they spent years perfecting their blend. Hiyo launched its first flavors in May 2021 and is currently one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the United States.

Hiyo's 6 Main Functional Ingredients:

Each can contains approximately 1.7g of functional ingredients, with USDA organic certification, 0% alcohol, and only 30 calories. Hiyo is also non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan.

The 6 Available Flavors:

• Blackberry Lemon – bold and alluring
• Passion Fruit Tangerine – fragrant and tart
• Peach Mango – sweet and satisfying
• Pineapple Coconut
• Strawberry Guava – vibrant and inviting
• Watermelon Lime – light and refreshing

My Experience with Brez and Hiyo

Effects I Felt with Brez

I started by testing OG Regular (5mg THC, 10mg CBD, 2,200mg lion's mane) on a Friday evening. The first thing that struck me: the effect kicks in really fast. In less than 10 minutes, I felt a gentle lift. Nothing like a traditional edible where you sometimes wait 90 minutes feeling nothing, then end up "couch-locked" for hours.

The sensation is closer to a glass of wine than a space cake. You feel relaxed, open to conversation, with a light social euphoria. The lion's mane provides mental clarity that avoids the "foggy" feeling you can get with alcohol or traditional edibles. The brand describes it as "the antidote to the bad edible experience," and I can confirm.

💡 Pro tip: the "stackable" design is a real plus. I started with half a can the first time to test my reaction, then finished it 30 minutes later. The calming ingredients and microdosing significantly reduce the risk of anxiety or paranoia.

I also tested Flow (THC-free) during work sessions. The lion's mane + L-theanine + cacao blend creates a state of calm focus, without the jitteriness of coffee—perfect for a productive afternoon.

And Dream for sleep? Effective. The reishi, magnesium (150mg), passionflower, chamomile, and lavender do their job, with easier sleep onset and no grogginess the next morning.

Amplify combines THC with an energy stack (cordyceps, maca, ginseng, taurine) for a focus + mood + energy effect. Drift goes the opposite direction with 75mg CBD for deep relaxation. The variety of the lineup really covers different moments in life.

Effects I Felt with Hiyo

The "the float" sensation is definitely real, but the effect is more subtle than Brez. You feel a sense of calm, reduced mental load, and a small mood boost.

The absence of THC means no alteration of consciousness. It's the combined effect of L-theanine and ashwagandha. For some people, that's exactly what they need to replace a soda or an aperitif.

Taste-wise, I tried Watermelon Lime and Passion Fruit Tangerine. The profile is that of a fruity seltzer, lightly sweetened, very approachable. It's a seltzer made with natural juices and extracts, with clean flavors. Hiyo works well as an everyday drink, easy to have at any time, at work or in the evening.

I didn't experience any discomfort while drinking it. No bloating, no digestive issues. The ginger probably helps with that.

💡 Hiyo is perfect for situations where THC would be inappropriate: business lunches, professional events, family gatherings. That's its biggest advantage over Brez.

Legality and Availability

Brez operates within the legal framework of hemp, made federally legal in the United States by the 2018 Farm Bill. The THC is derived from hemp, allowing legal sales in most states to adults 21 and older. The brand emphasizes compliance but reminds customers to check local regulations. The mushrooms used, like lion's mane, even have GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status with the FDA. The THC-free lines (Flow, Elevate, Dream) are also federally legal.

Hiyo is a functional seltzer with no alcohol (0% ABV) and no THC. Distribution is much simpler, and there are no particular legal restrictions anywhere in the United States. No strict age limit tied to THC. You can drink Hiyo anywhere: business lunches, work routines, events where THC wouldn't be appropriate. The brand has expanded to thousands of stores and social venues across the country.

Price Differences Between Hiyo and Brez

Price Per Can – Detailed Comparison

Available Purchase Options

At Brez, cans are sold in packs of 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 60, or 96. Spirit comes in a 25.4 oz bottle format (about 15 shots). Shots are available in packs of 8, 12, 24, or 48. An Infused Variety Pack includes OG, Amplify, and Drift to try different THC effects.

At Hiyo, each flavor is available in 12, 24, or 48-packs. A Variety Pack lets you discover all flavors. Free shipping on orders $50+ for one-time purchases, and on every subscription order.

Ways to Save Money

At Brez, the 20% subscription discount is simple and effective. You can pause, skip, or cancel anytime. The brand also offers a bundle builder system with savings tiers:

• $125: free shipping
• $150: $15 off
• $200: $30 off
• $250: $50 off
• $500: $125 off

At Hiyo, the subscription offers a 15% discount, free shipping on every order, and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. For one-time purchases, shipping is free on orders over $50. A loyalty points system awards 1 point per dollar spent (1.25x for subscribers) to unlock discounts.

Total Cost Over 1 Month, 6 Months, and 1 Year (Subscription)

💡 If you're on a budget, Hiyo is more affordable than Brez. Brez's bundle system can significantly reduce costs if you're a regular consumer.

My Final Take: Should You Buy Brez or Hiyo?

After several weeks of use, I'm really satisfied with both products, but for different reasons.

Strengths and Limitations of Each Brand

Brez scores points on the social effect. The microdosed THC, nano-emulsification, short duration, and stackable design make the experience simple, predictable, and close to the alcohol ritual. Those who've had bad experiences with strong edibles can regain confidence. The THC-free options are solid, with serious mushroom and amino acid stacks. The variety of the lineup really covers all use cases: focus, energy, relaxation, sleep, and social drinks.

Brez's Limitations: The price is higher, and THC products are restricted to those 21+ with local verification required. You also have to accept that these beverages, even microdosed, aren't suitable for all professional or family contexts.

Hiyo wins on simplicity and universality. The profile is reassuring—legal everywhere in the US, no THC, no alcohol. The taste is fruity, the sensation is gentle. The price makes it competitive as an everyday functional beverage. The USDA organic certification, non-GMO and vegan profile, and just 30 calories per can will appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Hiyo's Limitations: The intensity of the effect. "The float" is real but subtle. If you're looking for something close to a light social buzz, you might be left wanting more. The lineup is also less varied: 6 flavors with the same stack, versus very different formulas at Brez.

My Verdict

If I have to pick the best overall choice as an alternative to an evening drink, I choose Brez. The main reason comes down to the experience: Brez delivers a noticeable, fast, and controlled sensation that genuinely replaces alcohol in social situations where you want to feel good, open, and in control. The THC-free options complement daytime use. The variety of the lineup and the stackable design create a coherent ecosystem, from focus to sleep.

That doesn't mean Hiyo doesn't have its place. Quite the opposite. For daily consumption, for those who are cautious about legality, for anyone who wants to integrate consistent adaptogens into their routine, Hiyo is highly relevant. The price per can is gentle, subscription shipping is a plus, and "the float" sensation is pleasant. It's simply a different approach.

✅ Choose Brez if:

• You're looking for a real alternative with a noticeable and predictable sensation
• You're in an area where it's legal and you're 21+ (for THC products)
• You want a relaxing effect that kicks in fast and doesn't last too long
• You appreciate variety: focus, energy, relaxation, or sleep depending on the moment
• Budget isn't your main concern and you're willing to pay for a more pronounced experience

✅ Choose Hiyo if:

• You prefer a 100% natural approach with no psychoactivity
• You're looking for an option that's legal everywhere, with no THC-related age restrictions
• You want to integrate adaptogens into your daily routine (work, home)
• Organic, non-GMO, and vegan certifications are important to you
• Price is a deciding factor and you're optimizing through subscription

💡 My Final Suggestion

The best approach is often to experiment. Order a Hiyo Variety Pack and a flagship Brez product based on your needs: Flow to test the THC-free focus route, OG Regular to feel the micro social buzz. Have a can early in the evening, in a real-world context, and note how you feel at 10, 30, and 90 minutes. Also test on a workday for the focus formulas.

Everyone has different sensitivity to adaptogens and microdosed THC. A short trial period will help you figure out what works best for your profile and expectations.

Summary Comparison Table

Article updated in 2025. Prices and availability may vary. For adults only. Check legality in your state for THC products.