hard water

White Claw Black Cherry Hard Seltzer

cidersays not cider, review, White Claw , , ,

Review of White Claw’s Black Cherry Hard Seltzer (sparkling water).  They make this by fermenting sugar water until dry and adding carbonation and flavor.  This is part of an expanding alternative beverage market, and lower calories than hard soda.  This isn’t cider, but at times I include reviews of non-cider alternative beverages here (such as mead).

Producer:  White Claw Seltzer Works
Flavor:  Black Cherry
Location:  Memphis TN
ABV:  5%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz cans
Style:  commercial hard sparkling water

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Availability:  wide release

Description:  Subtle yet unmistakable cherry flavor meets dry yet refreshing hard seltzer.  The result?  Crisp, clean spiked sparkling water with minimal sweetness and no aftertaste – just a light hint of deliciously dark black cherry.

Ingredients:  Purified carbonated water, alcohol from cold-brewed sugar, natural cane sugar, citric acid, natural flavors, natural cherry juice concentrate, sodium citrate.

Price:  ~$2 / single can (runs ~$10 / six pack)
Where Bought:  Whole Foods
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I tried the other major brand of hard seltzer, Truly Spiked & Sparkling, and was curious how this one compared.  Once I found a single can, I gave it a try.

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First Impression:  Clear.  Low carbonation.  Smells of cherry candy and maraschino cherries.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Low tartness.  Simple seltzer with sweet maraschino cherry flavor.  Very high sessionability.  Low flavor intensity and complexity.

My Opinion:  I enjoyed it.  Its light, refreshing, and just flavorful enough.

Most Similar to:  Other hard seltzers.  I liked this one better than Truly Spiked & Sparkling, as it seemed more flavorful.

Closing Notes:   I’m curious to try their Lime and Grapefruit flavors, although the Cherry sounded the most interesting.

Have you tried hard seltzer?  What did you think?

Truly Spiked & Sparkling Colima Lime

cidersays not cider, review, Truly Spiked & Sparkling , , , ,

Review of Truly Spiked & Sparkling Colima Lime, a hard sparkling water.  They make this by fermenting sugar water until dry and adding carbonation and “natural flavor”.  This is part of an expanding alternative beverage market, which also includes hard soda, but unlike hard soda is advertised as being a low calorie option (only 100 calories for 12oz of 5% alcohol).  This isn’t cider, but at times I include reviews of non-cider alternative beverages here (like mead).

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Beverage:  Truly Spiked & Sparkling with a hint of Colima Lime
Producer:  Hard Seltzer Beverage Company, owned by the Boston Beer Company (who makes Angry Orchard)
Location:  Boston MA, Cincinnati OH, and Breinigsville PA
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  six pack of clear 12oz bottles
Style:  commercial hard sparkling water

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Availability:  wide release in the U.S. (see their website for a locator)

Description:  Clean, crisp, & refreshing.  Each style with a hint of fruit is lively & effervescent.  Just like sparkling water, with with 5% ALC./VOL.  Truly Spiked & Sparkling Colima Lime has a slight tartness with a crisp but subtle sweetness.

Also available in Pomegranate and Grapefruit & Pomelo.

Price:  ~ $2 / single bottle (runs $9.99 or $10.99 / full six pack)
Where Bought:  Whole Foods
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I had seen this (and another brand) in other stores, but was waiting to try it until I found a single bottle.

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First Impression:  Clear.  Low carbonation upon pouring.  Smells of seltzer water, slightly sweet, with a hint of lime.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry, especially on the back end.  Moderate carbonation.  Light to medium bodied.  Low tartness.  The flavor is purely seltzer water with a hint of lime and a hint of sweetness.  Moderate length finish which was slightly off from regular seltzer water, although I can’t really describe how.  Low flavor intensity and complexity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked this, but it was a bit too boring to be something I’d considering buying again.  It could be quite dangerous as it is so easy to drink and doesn’t at all taste alcoholic.

Most Similar to:  Non-alcoholic flavored sparkling water (I literally couldn’t taste any alcohol, and it had only the slightest difference in flavor from a non-alcoholic version).

Closing Notes:   If the most important thing about your alcoholic beverage is that it is low calorie, or you are counting carbs, you may enjoy this.

Have you tried any hard sparkling waters?  What did you think?