Sour Seltzers are still pending components of Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) plans to expand its hard seltzer lineup under the Natural Light brand. The proposed flavors are each centered around tart, fruity tastes and come with the colorful names No Capple Green Apple, Rind & Dined Watermelon, Razzle Dazzle Blue Raspberry, and Slice for What Lemon, a lemon-flavored hard seltzer. 

The four flavors, which are each 6% alcohol-by-volume and do not yet have a scheduled release date, were revealed in late 2020 filings with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

The product’s planned packaging were revealed in the label submission with the TTB. It showcases a breezy and light look, focusing on bright colors as well as a passing sailboat in the distance.  

Sour Seltzers were to be met with a possible new pineapple lemonade flavor of Naturdays, the light lager brand that currently only has one flavor: strawberry lemonade. These are just more examples of the beverage giant attempting to shore up sales with the growing seltzer market, which has seen enormous growth. 

Natural Light released their first hard seltzer in 2019 and found immediate success, quickly becoming the seventh-largest brand on the market. But fortunes haven’t stayed as bright recently, with Nielsen stating that 2021 volume through January fell more than 6% over January last year, according to a post from competitor Molson-Coors.

Anheuser-Busch went all-in with their hard seltzer products over the last few years. In addition to Natural Light seltzer, the company introduced Bud Light Seltzer, and Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer, which is a USDA-certified drink. The company attempted to create a strong and loyal following among seltzer fans from every demographic and age group. 

Hard seltzers have proven to be a positive point in the beverage alcohol market. Millennials drink less beer than their predecessors, so companies have used hard seltzer drinks to reach them. While the market was once dominated by Truly and White Claw, dozens of other drink makers have jumped in and have contributed to major growth. RBC Capital Markets predict hard seltzer success could grow nearly 70% in 2021 alone. 

Despite shifting of market share among its brands, A-B still sees nothing but great fortune in their seltzer future. The company is planning to put more than $400 million into 12 US breweries. This comes as part of a major plan that A-B has created that will find them investing more than $1 billion into their U.S. facilities over the next two years. 

Along with the expansion of their seltzer options, the company is producing a throwback label for their flagship product, Natural Light. The new look is a re-imagination of their packaging from the late 1970s and no date or timeline for that product re-working has been released. 

Aiden Gentson
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