Drinking White Claw is in no way, shape, or form mandatory. The bubbly hard seltzer is almost synonymous with the category, but it’s hardly the most refreshing version on the market. White Claw has dominated, and essentially created, the hard seltzer trend, that seemingly prompted every beverage company to come out with their own version. It’s so hectic now it’s difficult to know who isn’t making one.
Sure it’s easy to pick up a pack of Claws, Truly (which we didn’t forget about), but there’s so much more out there to explore and now is the best time to discover new seltzers.
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Kona Brewing Spiked Island Seltzer
OK, so it’s an AB InBev brand. But it’s one that still has an air of independence to it — it’s from Hawaii after all. For starters, the variety pack has a POG (passionfruit, orange, guava) flavor that’s unbeatable. The other three aren’t bad either: Starfruit-Lime, Strawberry Guava, and Tropical Punch. Truly one of the more refreshing collections of seltzers out there, with little artificial backend to it.
Founders Brewing Mas Agave
Michigan-based Founders Brewing has built an empire on its All Day IPA session beer and a portfolio of tastebud-busting barrel-aged beers. Now an agave-based seltzer has emerged and … it’s delicious. Be warned though, unlike the 100-calorie booze waters, Founders does add sugar to Mas Agave. The lime, grapefruit, and strawberry-flavored seltzers do still come in at 110 calories.
Arizona SunRise Hard Seltzer
As noted in the intro, pretty much every beverage company is putting out a seltzer now. Enter: Arizona. Famous for the giant convenience store ice teas and Arnold Palmers, the company couldn’t hold back from capitalizing on the seltzer craze. With flavors like Mucho Mango, Cherry Punch, Lemon, and Grapefruit, it’s worth a shot.
Maui Hard Seltzer
Well, Hawaii has great refreshing flavors. Like Kona, Maui — an awesome brewery on its own — also launched a seltzer line complete with a POG flavor. The variety pack also includes Citrus, Acai, and Dragon Fruit. Tropical flavors are a win-win in the seltzer game.
Sonic Hard Seltzer
OK, this one is a bit of a novelty. The fast-food chain Sonic touts its happy hour for refreshing slush beverages at its drive-thru’s. Why wouldn’t eclectic flavors like Ocean Water translate to hard seltzers? Sonic unveiled two variety packs: Tropical and Citrus. A pool party gets a hair more fun with a goofy beverage like this.
Arctic Chill
A partnership between Harpoon Brewery and Polar Seltzer, this really tastes as if it could just be another Polar can — because it’s made with Polar! Like a good non-alcoholic seltzer, the flavors are subdued and in the background, and the carbonation is just enough to tickle the tongue.
Topo Chico
Topo Chico is a gem of sparkling mineral water. While the hard seltzer isn’t served up in the brand’s nearly iconic tall green glass bottles, it’s tasty. Weirdly, the flavors — Tropical Mango, Tangy Lemon Lime, Strawberry Guava, and Exotic Pineapple — aren’t syrupy but still are reminiscent of soda.
Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water
Oskar Blues is a quintessential craft brewery, so their foray into craft seltzer is a welcome sight. For starters, the branding is colorful and attractive with the Colorado Mountains prominent. Beyond that, the clean flavors of unique combinations help set Wild Basin apart. Some of those flavors? Strawberry Coconut, Mango Blueberry, Yumberry, Habanero Pina Colada, and Mango Mai Tai.
Lone River Ranch Water
Ranch Water is probably the cocktail of 2021, traditionally made with tequila, lime, and Topo Chico. But brands are jumping into a canned version. Enter Lone River, a fast-growing canned Ranch Water seltzer brand that just entered 21 states. Pick up and try the variety pack with these agave-based seltzers that just make a whole lot of Texas sense: Original, Spicy (with jalapeño), Rio Red Grapefruit, and Prickly Pear.
Decoy
Wine brands are also entering the hard seltzer market, from budget wines like Barefoot to higher-end wine brands like The Duckhorn Portfolio. Decoy Premium Seltzer is a wine-based seltzer that clocks in at 5.5% alcohol by volume and just 80 calories — lower than the fairly standard 100 per can for most seltzers. The flavors are interesting, too: Chardonnay with Clementine Orange, Sauvignon Blanc with Vibrant Lime, Rose with Black Cherry, and Chardonnay with Lemon & Ginger.
Willie’s Superbrew
Willie’s will wet your whistle with a nice smooth seltzer made with real fruit. The line has tasty flavors like Ginger & Lemon and Pineapple & Lime, and since it says real fruit, a drinker can feel a little healthier. Willie’s sometimes gets funky, too, like with its Seltzer Unleashed: Juicy-Hazy-Hopped Seltzer. It’s the seltzer world’s spin on a big juicy hazy IPA, complete with mango, pineapple, guava, and lime and dry-hopped with citra and mosaic hops.
White Claw
Of course, nothing’s stopping you from grabbing a drink of the classic. White Claw is arguably the most famous hard seltzer out there, and rightfully so. Made to hit you with epic refreshment via their naturally gluten-free and clean tasting drink, White Claw comes in five different fruity flavors.
Truly
Along with White Claw, Truly has dominated the hard seltzer market for years. It’s no surprise as it is pure and clean and contains no gluten, liquor, or spirits. On top of that, it has an alcohol by volume of 5%, made from fermenting all-natural cane sugar.
