Brewed alcohol seltzer?!
If you've ever asked — 'What's a brewed alcohol seltzer?' (or now you're asking) — good question and keep reading, cause here's our explanation.
A brewed alcohol seltzer ('brewed seltzer') is a type of hard seltzer made by fermenting sugar, malt, or other fermentable ingredients to create alcohol. Unlike spirit mixed drinks, the alcohol is naturally brewed, similar to beer, but filtered for a clean, neutral taste.
Side note: 'Seltzer' simply refers to a drink that's fizzy, sparkling, bubbly — used most predominately in the US-of-A, seltzer is the generic term for carbonated water.
S-s-s-elt-za, not salsa*
Brewed seltzers, also known as hard seltzers or alcoholic seltzers, emerged as a welcome alternative to traditional mixed drinks and spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. Originating in the US in the early 2010s, these light, crisp drinks quickly gained popularity for their easy-drinking nature, clean taste, and lower-calorie appeal. Whereby spirit-based RTDs, which rely on the addition of hard liquor like vodka or gin, brewed seltzers derive their alcohol content from fermentation, resulting in a more integrated and naturally smooth drinking experience.
*A Seinfeld reference for our Millennial+ friends
A better drinking choice
Brewed alcohol offers a lighter, more natural drinking experience compared to spirits. Because it isn’t distilled to high concentrations, it retains more of the original character of its ingredients. It also provides a gentler, more sessionable way to enjoy a drink, without the noticeable alcohol flavour of spirits-based beverages.
Fermentation (it's not just for kimchi)
As mentioned, the key difference between brewed alcohol and spirits lies in how they're made. Brewed alcohol, on the other hand, is created through fermentation alone, leading to a more balanced, neutral flavour profile that blends seamlessly with other base ingredients. The fermentation process starts with natural sugars — like those found in coconut water — being broken down by yeast, producing alcohol in a more gradual and organic way.
Spirits, on the other hand, like vodka are distilled, meaning they undergo a process that removes water and concentrates alcohol to a high percentage. This results in a more potent, sometimes harsher taste that requires dilution or mixing to be palatable.
It's all for flavour
While fermentation is widely recognised for its role in nutrition and gut health, it’s important to be clear: alcohol is never a health product (and be wary of brands that claim to be so). Our fermentation process is about crafting exceptional flavour and a unique drinking experience that you can't just mix-up at home.
