It also just launched a “pure” or unflavored version, though White Claw claims it to be a limited-edition offering. White Claw comes in five fruit flavors: Mango, Natural Lime, Black Cherry, Ruby Grapefruit and Raspberry. Von Mandl is also intimately connected to the wine world as the proprietor of Mission Hill winery in the Okanagan Valley. Parent company Mark Anthony Group and its founder, Anthony von Mandl, were the minds behind Mike’s Hard Lemonade. This isn’t the company’s first foray into the beverage world, though. White Claw now commands 50% of market share in sales. It’s the brand that’s launched a million memes. Photo courtesy White Claw White Claw Hard Seltzer So what names do you need to know when it comes to navigating your alcohol aisle? Here, some of the standout brands in the hard seltzer scene. summer has seen them explode in popularity, as they appeal to drinkers that previously would have considered beer, wine or liquor.” The hard seltzer brands you should know “We’ve observed increasing demand for lower-alcohol products and healthier, natural options, along with a surge in ready-to-drink beverages. “Hard seltzer is at the intersection of several consumer trends right now,” says Lara Crystal, co-founder/co-CEO of Minibar Delivery. This could also appeal to beer drinkers who seek something different, spirits lovers who want something lighter, and casual drinkers who don’t like the taste of strong alcohol or want something with a moderate abv. Most seltzers also capitalize on the convenience of cans, a trend not lost on the wine industry. And as consumers gravitate increasingly toward low-alcohol beverages, several hard seltzers contain only 4–6% alcohol by volume (abv).ĥ Canned Cocktails Perfect for the Outdoors Many also tout low sugar content, which often ranges from zero to 4 grams. Another selling point: most hard seltzers are low in calories and fall between 90–110 calories per can. It’s experienced market growth of 200% so far this year alone.īut why the sudden burst of popularity? Some say hard seltzer hit at just the right time, and that the product appeals to a wide variety of people. By 2021, some analysts predict hard seltzer could be a $2.5 billion industry. Behind hard seltzer’s popularityĪs non-alcoholic seltzer has risen in sales year after year, hard seltzer has skyrocketed in tandem. Some also use malted barley, like the throwback spiked seltzer-like beverage, Zima, which was created in 1993 by Coors. Many brands infuse their seltzers with alcohol from fermented cane sugar. At their most basic, hard seltzers have three ingredients: carbonated water, alcohol and flavoring. Hard seltzer is what it sounds like, a seltzer spiked with alcohol. But is this trend here to stay, or just the beverage industry’s latest gimmick? Here’s the breakdown.
The hard seltzer market has hit hard, as the fizzy spiked drink is sipped in record numbers on the beach, on the couch and at parties. If you haven’t seen a White Claw in someone’s hand, in a meme or emblazoned with a hashtag, you’d likely be in the minority.