Easy Ways to Find Hard Seltzer

Jun 29, 2022 12:15PM ● By NIKKI DAVIDSON

Cracking open a cold one no longer implies downing a beer. The growing demand for lighter, gluten-free craft beverages has inspired many breweries to broaden their lineup. Spiked seltzer is a popular way for brewers to show off their creativity. They concoct a wide variety of flavors that keep customers satisfied and thirsty for more. Here’s a list of six hard seltzers crafted in Missouri, each a unique twist on the high-octane bubbly water trend.

BOULEVARD’S QUIRK SPIKED & SPARKLING LINE

Boulevard Brewing Company got into the hard seltzer game in the spring of 2020 and never looked back. The company has since unveiled an ever-growing army of unique flavor combinations. Quirk Spiked & Sparkling Seltzers contain 90 calories, are made with real fruit juice, and have less than one gram of added sugar. The most recent installment of mixed-can packs was released in March 2022 and was aimed at various palates. They also feature off-the-wall flavors, such as Raspberry Rocket Pop. This bevvie is an ode to summer’s iconic red, white and blue popsicle that tastes like the Fourth of July. One of the first flavors created that has remained a crowd favorite is Strawberry, Lemon & Basil.

4 HANDS BREWING CO. SELTZER

4 Hands Brewing Co. opened in St. Louis’s Lasalle Park neighborhood in 2011 and has since expanded its efforts beyond beer. The company has created a line of seltzers, canned cocktails, and spirits in the last three years. Known as a brewery constantly changing what’s on tap, 4 Hands produces a variety of seasonal seltzers and a handful available year-round. he mainstays include Apricot Almond, Blackberry Pomegranate, and Pineapple Mango. The seasonals are Seltzerade, crafted to capture the spirit of popular sports drink Gatorade. Warm weather flavors that embody the heart of a midwestern summer — Tiger’s Blood inspired by snow cones and Raspberry Pink Lemonade, influenced by the memory of push pops. The ABV of these spiked seltzers is 4%. It’s gluten-free and under 100 calories per can.

ALPHA BREWING CO. PRETTY PLEASY
The brewers at Alpha have a background in science, and one never knows what they will release next. The establishment started making beer in 2013 in downtown St. Louis and now operates out of South City. They proudly craft flavors that won’t be found anywhere else. The Pretty Pleasy line of spiked seltzers are bright, light and include Cherry, Black Cherry Lemonade, Mango, and Grapefruit flavors. Mango is on tap at the brewery and is described as light, crisp and refreshing. The seltzers have an ABV of 5%.

CLEAR STATE HARD SELTZER

Those looking for seltzer with all-natural ingredients and a higher ABV need Clear State Hard Seltzer. Clear State only makes seltzer. It comes in three flavors, Key Lime, Passion Fruit, and Tart Cherry, and is sold in Columbia, St. Louis, and Kansas City stores. There’s no added sugar, it has 100 calories, and it’s gluten-free.

PINEY RIVER BREWING COMPANY IT’S SO EASY

The Piney River Brewing Company was originally 80 acres of cattle farm that was turned into a brewery. The same passion that goes into making its award-winning beer is now channeled into something a little lighter. It’s So Easy Watermelon+Basil Hard Seltzer boasts an ABV of 5%.

MOTHER’S BREWING READY HARD SELTZER

This Springfield brewery has 21 tap lines and is known for its shifting lineup of innovative flavors. The brewery created Ready Hard Seltzer in several flavors that have 90 calories. The drinks are made with real fruit juice, and no sugar is added. Ready Hard Seltzers come in Blackberry Lemon, Black Cherry, Cherry Limeade, Tangerine Passion Fruit, and Classic Lime. Each has a 4.5% ABV.

URBAN CHESTNUT’S URBAN SELTZER

According to Urban Chestnut’s website, the brewery takes a “new world meets old world” approach to crafting beverages. When it came time to explore the hard seltzer trend, the brewery crowdsourced to find what customers wanted the most. Customers tested three different flavors. The two most popular flavors became the new line of Urban Seltzer: Lime and Salt and Passion Fruit and Citra Hops. Urban Seltzer is described as “a tasty blend of thirst-quenching good- ness.” The brewery is also crafting non-alcoholic sparkling water drinks. The line is called Hop Water, infusing hops into flavored sparkling water and fizzy water with hops and CBD.

SCHLAFLY BEER’S BOOMERANG

Schlafly Beer put their spin on seltzer early in the craze. They’re catering to a crowd who doesn’t like their beverages too sweet and desires an experience that’s more like sipping champagne. Enter Boomerang, a mead spritzer with a hint of lemon-lime. It’s made with water, fermented honey, and a natural citrus flavor. The 90-calorie cans are the first mead spritzer out of St. Louis. The recipe is gluten-free, 4% ABV with three grams of carbs.

4 Hands Brewing Co.

1220 S. 8th Street
St. Louis, MO
(314) 436-1559

www.4handsbrewery.com

Alpha Brewing Company
4310 Fyler Avenue
St. Louis, MO

(314) 621-2337

www.alphabrewingcompany.com

Boulevard Brewing Co.

2501 Southwest Boulevard

Kansas City, MO
(816) 474-7095

www.boulevard.com

Clear State Hard Seltzer

www.clearstateseltzer.com