Wachusett launching new hard seltzer
Photo | Courtesy | Wachusett Brewing
Wachusett Brewing is launching a new product line, Country Hard Seltzer.
Wachusett Brewing Co. will launch a new hard seltzer line this spring, joining another it launched in 2016.
Country Hard Seltzer, which shares a name with the first beer Wachusett launched in 1994, will differ from another hard seltzer line the Westminster-based brewer launched in 2016, Nauti. Country Hard Seltzer will carry Wachusett's name, and will include various lemonade flavors, unlike Nauti's berry-focused line.
Country Hard Seltzer came out of lemonade-flavored seltzers Wachusett served last year at its Westminster brew yard, said Christian McMahan, the company’s president.
"The response was really powerful," McMahan said.
Country Hard Seltzer's flavors will include blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and lime lemonades. Blueberry lemonade was one of Nauti's flavors but is being switched to the new brand. Nauti's flavors will now include mixed berry, raspberry lime and black cherry.
The launch makes a busy period for Wachusett even busier.
The brewer is planning an opening of an anchor location in the Worcester Public Market on Feb. 6, which will include 24 beers on draft and an Airstream trailer similar to the one at its Westminster space. Wachusett is also working to open in Cambridge's Harvard Square in a former John Harvard's space, working now through licensing approvals.
The launch of Country Hard Seltzer is the second new product line in the last six months, after Fifty Trees, a hard cider brand, began last August. Branching out to cider and seltzers comes as beer consumption has fallen nationally, and major players such as Anheuser-Busch launching Bud Light Seltzer, its third seltzer brand.
"You're definitely getting more competitive for shelf space," McMahan said.
Wachusett also brewed a beer called Worcester's Bravest for sale last weekend with proceeds benefiting Worcester firefighter Lt. Jason Menard, who died in a fire last November. Over 1,200 pints were sold. McMahan said he was glad Wachusett could contribute to the cause but heartbroken to have to do so.
"I hope I never have to make this beer again," McMahan said.
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