Artisanal Brew Works launched Warheads Sour Ales last year and following that, it is introducing a natural progression of this product with hard seltzers inspired by the sour candies. While hard seltzer fans may be familiar with sipping fruit-flavored refreshments, the brand worked with Warheads' parent company, Impact Confections, to bring the flavors of sour black cherry, blue raspberry, lemon, green apple and watermelon candies to life as spiked seltzers.
Already, the brand is teasing new hybrid flavors like cherry lime, orange pineapple and lemon berry, which feature nostalgic flavor "smash ups"
Outside of the ultra-popular hard seltzers that are sweet and fruit-flavored, consumers are looking for novel flavors and in response, brands are competing in a crowded alcohol market with sour varieties that promise to challenge tastebuds.
Sour Candy Seltzers
Artisanal Brew Works Created Hard Seltzers Inspired by Warheads
Trend Themes
1. Sour Seltzer - Brands can capitalize on the trend of sour seltzer drinks as consumers look for novel and challenging flavors.
2. Hybrid Flavors - The creation of hybrid flavor combinations for seltzers offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for brands to compete in the crowded alcohol market.
3. Candy-inspired Alcoholic Beverages - Artisanal Brew Works' Warheads-inspired seltzers offer an example of a trend where alcoholic beverage brands incorporate familiar and popular candy flavors into their products.
Industry Implications
1. Alcohol - The trend of unique and novel flavors in alcoholic beverages presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for brands in the industry.
2. Candy - Candy brands can expand their reach by partnering with alcohol brands to create candy-inspired alcoholic beverages.
3. Non-alcoholic Beverages - Non-alcoholic beverage brands can take inspiration from the trend of sour seltzers and incorporate sour flavor profiles into their products.