Building on their long history of innovation, Oskar Blues Brewery is set to launch the first national craft hard seltzer with Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water. Crafted and canned at Oskar Blues’ Longmont, Colorado facility, Wild Basin utilizes water from the St. Vrain River to create a liquid as clean and pure as its Rocky Mountain origin.
As the tagline “Keep Running Wild” implies, Wild Basin will speak to active lifestyle consumers who value the outdoors, socializing with friends and healthier living. From outdoor yoga to rooftop happy hours, Wild Basin will provide drinkers with a tasty alternative to wine and spirits. The hard seltzer segment has exploded over the last year and shows not sign of slowing down. But unlike other recent fads, Oskar Blues believes that hard seltzer – or boozy sparkling water as they put it – is here to stay.
“The response from both distributors and retailers so far has been tremendous,” said CANarchy President Matt Fraser. “We’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that we have product in warehouses and on shelves.” To that end, Oskar Blues is making a significant investment in new canning and packaging lines that are able to handle sleek cans at volume.
In terms of nutritional credentials, Wild Basin (5% ABV) checks in at a compelling 100 calories with 0g of sugar and only 1g of carbs. Additionally, the boozy sparkling water is gluten free, contains no artificial ingredients and uses only natural flavors.
From a flavor standpoint, Wild Basin takes a contemporary approach with profiles that are designed to resonate with younger drinkers who seek new, culinary combinations. From Cucumber Peach to Melon Basil and even Lemon Agave Hibiscus, Wild Basin will intrigue consumers and mixologists alike. Additionally, Classic Lime offers a familiar, refreshing option in the mixed-flavor variety pack.
Packaging is also a core differentiator for the brand. The colorful cans are intended to grab shoppers’ attention and evoke the natural beauty of the mountain landscape that inspired the brand. In a category that is predominately white in color, Wild Basin will defy convention with artwork that is bold, vibrant and eye-catching.
Oskar Blues will donate $1 per case to their charitable partner, The Can’d Aid Foundation, in support of river preservation initiatives and other forms of people-powered do-goodery. Through various digital channels, consumers will be able to track in real time how much money has been donated and see exactly how their contributions will be used.
“Wild Basin is unique in that it challenges some existing category conventions,” said Oskar Blues CMO Patrick Daugherty. “Our goal is to introduce something that can help grow the category and give drinkers a true craft option in hard seltzer.”
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