Seltzers, the future No1 ‘ready-to-drink’ Alcoholic beverage?

Posted byJ.S HarrisonPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , , ,

Hello my fellow beer drinkers,

Now today I am looking to talk about something a little different today. Now since I have been drinking (Circa 2007) There has been a small market for Alchopops, which I admit in my youth I participated in as they were cheap (4 for a £5 if memory serves). They are now a little more expensive and have grown in popularity especially among young female clientelle, this is because they are marketed as a more rejuvinated and a more healthy alterntive to our usual grog and wine.

Infact it has been predicted by the International Wines and Spirits Record (IWSR) that over the next five or so years that Hard Seltzers will likley have the highest growth rate of any other UK beverage in its category, in fact the forecast volume is compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 71.7% from 2019 to 2024.

What are Seltzers?

Hard seltzer, spiked seltzer or hard sparkling alcohol water is a type of highball drink which contains carbonated water, alcohol, and often a number of fruit flavoring. These types of beverages quickly became In the USA where the alcohol is usually made by fermenting cane sugar. Hard seltzer products outside of the US have been found to use either neutral spirit, or fermentation of fruit. The alcohol by volume isusually around 5% and the calorie-content is relatively low which has made them popular in the health food crowd.

What Seltzers can you get in the UK?

I had a little look around to see what seltzers you can get in the UK, now this is not a definitive list but its a few that I found particularly easy to get my hands on.

  • Smirnoff Seltzer (Flav: Orange & Grapefruit, Raspberry & Rhubarb) ABV 4.7%
  • [Kopperberg] Balans (Flav: Mandarin, Lime) ABV 5%
  • Island Bay (Flav: Strawberry, Watermelon and Mango) ABV 5%
  • [BrewDog] Clean & Press (Flav:Crushed Black Cherry, Crushed Mango and White Peach, Cactus and Lime, and Kiwi and Passionfruit.) ABV 5%

What do you think of Seltzers?

Back in the summer I bought a mixed crate of beer from Brewdog that contained some seltzers, and its 100% safe for me to say I am not in their demographic. But what do you think? what are your views on Seltzer?

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