Brooklyn Brewery is officially rolling out Brooklyn Hard Seltzer.
As of last weekend, Brooklyn Brewery has begun distributing its new hard seltzer across NYC and the rest of the nation.
Brooklyn Hard Seltzer is packaged in a 12 ounce slim can and contains 100 calories and 5% ABV per serving. The new spiked seltzer comes in four uniquely local flavors that “mix the unprecedented with the unpretentious,” the brewery proclaims.
A variety 12 pack included tangy Black Cherry Apricot, Grapefruit, the citrus-forward Lemon Cloudberry, and Mango. According to Brooklyn’s website, the seltzers pair well with “grilled chicken, salad, fresh fruit, goat cheese, brunch, and concerts,” which sound like the ingredients for a perfect Brooklyn day.
Hard Seltzer Still Growing
Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster, editor of the 2011 Oxford Companion to Beer, and craft beer pioneer, Garrett Oliver, said “…there is no sign of the seltzer train slowing.” He also thinks that NA beer is one of the categories on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with hard seltzer and other lower alcohol options.
Brooklyn Brewery recently introduced two new non-alcoholic (NA) brews – Special Effects Hoppy Amber and Special Effects IPA.
“NA is getting normalized faster than it would have otherwise,” Oliver recently said to Inside Hook in an interview on the pandemic’s lingering effects on the craft beer industry.
“A lot of people are now home for lunch every day. What are you going to drink with your sandwich for lunch? NA beers can provide a perfect answer, and there’s nobody watching you ‘drink a beer’ at lunch in your kitchen.”
Oliver noted the success of Brooklyn’s NA line, Special Effects, which he described as “going gangbusters.” He also predicted the rise of “really good” pilsners over juicy or hazy IPAs, as people seek out lower ABV session beverages to enjoy while spending time catching up with friends.
A so-called “really good” pilsner hits that sweet spot of around 4.5% ABV, putting it in similar alcoholic territory as many hard seltzers (but likely with lower carbs and calories).
Brooklyn Brewery was founded with a mission to bring brewing back to the borough. The first batch of Brooklyn Lager was served in 1988, at a bar in Williamsburg called Teddy’s. It opened its own facility in the iconic Brooklyn neighborhood in 1996, which still serves as a taproom.
In 2014 Oliver won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Spirits, Wine or Beer Professional, which actually made him the first brewer to win the prestigious James Beard Award.
The brewery is dedicated to giving back to the community that shares its name. “Community involvement is a cornerstone of our brewery,” the company proudly boasts.
Brooklyn brews the Stonewall Inn IPA, a portion of whose proceeds benefits the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. They also support organizations by donating their product – beer – for fundraisers and other special events. Organizations including the Prospect Park Alliance, Transportation Alternatives, and Brooklyn Museum have received such liquid support.
- Molson Coors Increases NA Foothold with La Colombe Coffee - September 15, 2021
- Half Time Beverage Adds Seltzer and Canned Cocktails Gift Packs - September 14, 2021
- Coming Soon: Great Lakes Agave Twist Ranch Water - September 13, 2021
