LONGMONT, Colo. (December 4, 2018) – 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, CO, 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.”
Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water will initially launch in January in Colorado and North Carolina, two of Oskar Blues’ home markets. Soon thereafter, distribution will expand to other key markets and ultimately nationwide. For more information, please contact Maddie@oskarblues.com.
About Oskar Blues Brewery
Founded over 20 years ago in Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues Brewery launched the craft beer-in-a-can apocalypse with their hand-canned flagship brew, Dale’s Pale Ale. Today, Oskar Blues operates breweries in Colorado, North Carolina and Texas while reaching 200,000 barrels per year and featuring Dale’s Pale Ale as the nation’s #2 top-selling craft can six-pack at U.S. supermarkets. Oskar Blues is available in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and parts of 17 other countries. Along with Cigar City Brewing, Perrin Brewing Company, Squatters Craft Beers and Wasatch Brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing and Three Weavers Brewing, Oskar Blues Brewery belongs to CANarchy, a disruptive collective of like-minded craft brewers dedicated to bringing high-quality, innovative flavors to drinkers in the name of independent craft beer.
To keep up with all things Oskar Blues, visit http://www.oskarblues.com/
About CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective
Founded in 2015, CANarchy is a disruptive collective of like-minded brewers dedicated to bringing high-quality, innovative flavors to drinkers in the name of independent craft beer. The portfolio of craft breweries, partially funded by Fireman Capital Partners, includes Oskar Blues Brewery, Perrin Brewing Company, Cigar City Brewing, Squatters Craft Beers and Wasatch Brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing Company and Three Weavers Brewing Company. CANarchy was ranked #9 on the BA’s list of the 2017 Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewers as ranked by sales volume. The platform brewed 359,000 bbls in 2017, reaching all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and parts of 17 countries spanning five continents. In 2018, CANarchy was named “Brewery of the Year” by Brewbound; and collective member Cigar City Brewing grew by more than 60%, making it the fastest growing Top 50 Craft Brewery of the year. Cigar City Brewing’s Jai Alai and Oskar Blues Brewery’s Dale’s Pale Ale are currently the #2 and #4 sold craft can six packs in Total U.S. Multi-Outlet and Convenience.