As a flavor, creamsicle is having a bit of a moment, and now you can enjoy the taste of this iconic summer treat in a sippable format with the release of Hardywood Tangerine Cream Ale.
Created as part of a partnership between Trader Joe's and Virginia's Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, the new Hardywood Tangerine Cream Ale is a refreshing new take on a classic flavor. The new beer takes the flavor profile of an orange and vanilla ice cream bar and converts it from "licks to sips." The beer itself is infused with natural flavors of orange and tangerine, which gives it a bright citrus profile that perfectly complements the medium-light ale base.
The new Hardywood Tangerine Cream Ale is available for just a limited time from August through September from your local Trader Joe's.
Image Credit: Trader Joe's
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Dessert-inspired Alcohol
- Nostalgic dessert profiles in beer create room for beverage brands to translate familiar treats into adult formats with seasonal appeal.
- Citrus-vanilla Flavor Pairings
- Bright citrus blended with creamy vanilla signals opportunities for premium refreshment products that balance indulgence with light drinkability.
- Limited-time Grocery Collaborations
- Retailer-brewery partnerships can generate exclusivity, trial, and shopper excitement through short-window releases tied to recognizable flavor moments.
Where This Applies
- Craft Beer
- Flavor-forward ales give breweries a path to broaden appeal beyond traditional beer drinkers through playful, approachable product concepts.
- Grocery Retail
- Exclusive beverage launches help supermarkets differentiate private and partner offerings while turning routine shopping trips into discovery experiences.
- Flavored Alcohol
- Cross-category taste inspiration from desserts and snacks expands the flavored alcohol market with novelty-driven products built around nostalgia.
