A new trend from the USA is spreading rapidly in Europe: Hard Seltzer. But what exactly is Hard Seltzer, how is it made, and what distinguishes it from alcopops? We have taken a closer look at this drink.
Translated from English, Hard Seltzer means “hard water” and is nothing more than fizzy water with alcohol. Sounds very much like the trend of health-conscious drinking.
What is Hard Seltzer exactly?
The Hard Seltzer drink consists of sparkling water, alcohol and sometimes added fruit flavor. However, it is not as simple as it seems. Hard Seltzer is not just water mixed with alcohol; it is fermented, brewed products. The origin of Hard Seltzer is in the USA, where alcohol is mostly sugar cane based or malt. The alcohol content in Hard Seltzer is on average around 5% by volume, making it a very light alcoholic drink.
Which target group does Hard Seltzer address?
Nowadays, customers drink better and more consciously. Hard Seltzer is suitable precisely for this trend. The nutritional data confirms this: Compared to beer, Hard Seltzer has about a third fewer calories and little to no carbohydrates. Hard Seltzer appeals mainly to female customers. But not only! Men are also increasingly consuming this drink, because the packaging design is almost always gender-neutral. Compared to alcopops, Hard Seltzer is a subtle, slightly tart flavor, with a fruity note, but much less sweet than an alcopop. This drink is very good as an aperitif drink or as a refreshment in the hot summer days.
Hard Seltzer in Switzerland
In the USA, Hard Seltzer is a popular drink and is expected to develop even further in the near future. As with breweries, a “craft hard seltzer” scene has already formed. Compared to the big producers like Coca Cola, the craft Hard Seltzer producers emphasize the use of real fruit.
In Switzerland, there is a demand for a light alcoholic beverage. The special production process and the minimalist look of the packaging design, and the subtle taste that goes with it, also meet the current zeitgeist. The potential for this beverage to gain a foothold in Europe is therefore there.
Some inspiring Hard Seltzer bottles
Every drink is unique. That’s why Univerre gives you the opportunity to stand out with different printing methods. Make your bottle a packaging that fits your brand and will be remembered! Learn more about our printing methods by discovering screen printing and digital printing.
The Hard Seltzer Glass Bottle from Tanaka
Tanaka has come up with a very special packaging design for the Hard Seltzer. This is a 33cl black long neck glass bottle with a screen print. The packaging design of this Hard Seltzer glass bottle really stands out. Not only because of the black bottle, but also with the design. Already at the neck of the bottle you notice that attention has been paid to every detail. Here it is immediately apparent that the drink has been sweetened exclusively with honey. On the front of the glass bottle, the packaging design captivates with an elaborate but very appealing design of a profile of the Japanese supercentenarian, Kane Tanaka, decorated with the contents of the bottle: the lemons. On the back, the packaging design then clarifies: “Do it like Kane Tanaka – The Japanese Supercentenarian lives it to us – with almost 120 years: Pleasure YES ! But consciously.” An excellent and fitting credo for all Hard Seltzer fans.
Tanaka’s Hard Seltzer is made exclusively from natural organic ingredients.
The Hard Seltzer glass bottle from KOL
Kol chose a white long neck 33cl glass bottle for their two Hard Seltzer drinks. The glass bottles were screen printed. Since they are two different tastes, two very modern colors in a simple design were chosen.
The glass bottle with a yellow silkscreen represents the Hard Seltzer flavor of lemon and ginger and the glass bottle with the silkscreen in a light pink, represents the flavor of cactus and hibiscus. The packaging design stands out with you modern font and of course the meaningful phrase on the bottle: “The freshness is enjoyed with no ice!”.
The packaging design, as well as the presentation on the glass bottle fully comply with the thinking of Hard Seltzer: freshness, modernity and lightness!
The company has ceased operations.
The Hard Seltzer glass bottle from Hardie
A start-up from Bern has also decided to launch a Hard Seltzer glass bottle. This is Hardie, a group of four people from Bern who have discovered the trendy drink for themselves. Hard Seltzer by Hardi is a drink based on sugar cane, lemon and ginger. The special thing about Hardi’s Hard Seltzer drink is that the fermentation process takes place in the glass bottle. Hardi’s Hard Seltzer has an alcohol content of 4.5% and is free of additional flavors and additives and an outstanding organic quality.
The Hard Seltzer glass bottle from the Rugenbräu brewery
The Rugenbräu brewery is also a major player in the Hard Seltzer market. In June of this year, the brewery is launching two varieties of Hard Seltzer in a 33cl long neck glass bottle. The Raw the Hard Seltzer comes in two varieties, Crazy Pineapple and Pink Grapefruit. The Hard Seltzer from the Rugenbräu brewery contains 5% alcohol. Here, too, the packaging design is convincing with an eye-catching, modern and simple design on the glass bottle.
