Well, if you are like most of the people, this is probably a term you’re not too familiar with but in its simplest form, seltzer is basically fizzy water. Now what has this got to do with beer? For the lowdown on this new drinks trend read on!
Enter HARD seltzers
In the last 12 months, hard seltzers have grown into a billion dollar industry in the US, with brands like Corona and Bud Light cashing in on the market. Somehow, somewhere, some genius has discovered a way to make water even more amazing, by adding alcohol! Lacking the usual carbs and sugar of regular alcoholic drinks, hard seltzers are revolutionising the way we drink.
Even in Indian markets, there are multiple producers are making it and available in the markets. Brands like Pursue, IST, Bro Seltze, Raya, Wild Drum etc. Prices are between Rs. 100- 150.
All About the Base
The basic definition of a hard seltzer is seltzer water with alcohol. Where the alcohol comes from depends on the alcohol base you choose to work with. Many hard seltzers have a base of fermented cane sugar with added flavors, but seltzers can also be made with malted barley, grain neutral spirits, or wine. While the end result is a hard seltzer, the path you choose dictates a lot more than most people realise.
Neutral Malt Base
Sugar Brew Base
Grain Neutral Spirits Base
Wine Base
What’s the history behind seltzer?
The name ‘seltzer’ comes from a spa town in Germany called Selters, which began exporting its effervescent mineral water from the late 1700s. In 1772, Joseph Priestley an Englishman, discovered he could make fizzy water by placing a bowl of water above a beer vat. Then, not long afterwards, J.J. Schweppe commercialised the idea. Yes, it’s his name that you see on iconic fizzy drink bottles in household fridges today.
The earliest entrant to the world of hard seltzer water was in 2013 by a brand called Spiked Seltzer, which was acquired by big beer, AB InBev in 2018. Fast-forward to 2020 and hard seltzer has grown to a 1.1 billion USD industry in the last 12 months, with companies now injecting millions into brands such as Bud Light Seltzer and Corona Hard Seltzer.
So, what exactly is seltzer?
Seltzer is basically carbonated water, your basic drinking water with added bubbles from carbon dioxide. It differs from other carbonated beverages like club soda and tonic water, in that it doesn’t contain the funny tasting minerals such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium sulphate that club soda contains, or the high fructose corn syrup and quinine that makes tonic water, not really a water at all. After all, it does glow under a black light!
Now take this bubbly magic and step into the world of hard seltzer or otherwise known, alcoholic seltzer. Hard seltzer is produced one of two ways, either brewed, taking advantage of fermentation of ingredients such as rice, for naturally occurring alcohol and fizz or adding alcohol to bubbly water. Add a hint of natural flavour to this already lovely combination and we arrive at what has been dubbed the healthy, mindful way to drink alcohol, with little to no sugar, zero carbs, gluten free and a flavour for every occasion. We wonder who will be the first to bring out a beer flavoured one?
Why are these drinks becoming so popular?
As times change, we are all becoming more aware of the effects of some alcoholic beverages, from the negative health conditions associated with sugar, to the weight gains associated with high carb intake or even the growing reactions to gluten. Now remove all these negative affects and you get hard seltzer, basically all the health benefits of sparkling mineral water with a kick of flavour and alcohol.
By Gaurav Dixit
Pictures Source - Internet
6th October 2023
Comments