Fans of Shipyard Brewing Co.'s Pumpkinhead beer will enjoy being able to appreciate the release of Pumpkinhead hard seltzer ahead of the return of the seasonal ale this fall. The limited-release hard seltzer taps into the popularity of the iconic fall seasonal beer, its crispness, its aroma and subtle spice flavor.
On this decision, Bruce Forsley, president of Shipyard Brewing Co., says "Given the momentum of the hard seltzer market and a flood of requests from the Pumpkinhead faithful, we decided to create what we think is a perfect partner to Pumpkinhead Ale." The lightly spiced seltzer boasts notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla and for this reason alone, it stands out against other popular fruity flavors.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Seasonal Hard Seltzers
- The success of Pumpkinhead hard seltzer taps into the opportunity for breweries and distilleries to leverage seasonal flavors and market them in the hard seltzer industry.
- Spice-flavored Seltzers
- The creation of spice-flavored seltzers such as Pumpkinhead hard seltzer leads the way for innovation and experimentation with new, unique flavored seltzers.
- Partnering with Fan-favorite Beers
- The decision to create a hard seltzer version of a popular seasonal beer like Pumpkinhead Ale opens up an opportunity for other breweries to create hard seltzers inspired by their own popular brews.
Where This Applies
- Breweries
- Breweries can explore entering the hard seltzer market and leveraging their popular seasonal beer flavors to create hard seltzers that appeal to a wider audience.
- Distilleries
- Distilleries can also enter the hard seltzer market and create unique, flavorful options that go beyond traditional fruity flavors, such as spice-flavored seltzers like Pumpkinhead.
- Food and Beverage Retail
- Food and beverage retailers can capitalize on the growing trend of seasonal hard seltzers by stocking up on limited-release seltzers that cater to consumers' desire for new and exciting flavor options.
