Even PBR Is Making Hard Seltzer Now

Sarra Sedghi

Pabst Blue Ribbon is the latest beer conglomerate to cash in on that sweet, spiked seltzer money with their latest product: Stronger Seltzer. It’s exactly what it sounds like: spiked seltzer, featuring a higher ABV of 8% (White Claw, for example, caps at 5%, Natty Light’s new seltzer features 6%, and plain ‘ol PBR sits at 4.2%). It’s got a spiffy, green-striped can that indicates its lime flavor..

Stronger Seltzer isn’t PBR’s first foray into new products. Other examples include Pabst Extra, with a 6.5% ABV, and Pabst Blue Ribbon Hard Coffee. Pabst is celebrating its 175th birthday this year, so maybe all these released aren’t a thinly veiled attempt to catch up to White Claw.

“Stronger Seltzer is a fun and innovative new drink that delivers big on taste, and gives our customers something different to enjoy,” says John Newhouse, PBR’s Brand Manager. Yeah, sounds like they’re in it for the money.

Stronger Seltzer is currently available in select markets in Arizona, California, Montana, and Texas. Unless hard seltzer is canceled by then, you can expect the market to spread in the fall.