Remember those days, before 2000, when if you did not drink beer, wine, or spirits, you remained the only sober guy at the party, because you did not have any other option? Well, for those picky drinkers out there, if the shelves full of White Claw at your local liquor store were not proof enough, hard seltzer is the option in trend right now, a major reason behind people’s preference being the reduced content of calories, which resulted in more than $4 billion in sales over the past year in the United States.
White Claw set the tone, Chicago brewers are following
White Claw Hard Seltzer is an alcoholic seltzer water beverage owned by Mark Anthony Brands International.] The beverage was introduced in 2016 and is sold under nine different 100-calorie (per 12 fluid ounces), 5% ABV flavors including black cherry, ruby grapefruit, lime, raspberry, mango, lemon, tangerine, watermelon, and unflavored (“Pure Hard Seltzer”). The lemon, tangerine, and watermelon flavors were added in March 2020. White Claw is made from a blend of seltzer water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and fruit flavor.
Chicago brewers have not fallen behind in following the winning trend, Solemn Oath producing its widely distributed City Water line and Lo Rez Brewing experimenting with berry-flavored seltzers. Last December, Hopewell Brewing Co. joined their ranks, launching a pair of hard seltzers under a new brand called Wayup, meant to encompass all things non-beer.
Wayup – the solution to a troublesome 2020
Wayup “it’s our super new alt-beverage brand”, the company announced on their Facebook page, December 3rd, the eve of launching day for its two flagship hard seltzers: Citrus Dream and Tropical Vision.
The company went into 2020 with lots of ideas, but, of course, their plans “were basically made null and void from the outset” by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of giving up, they adjusted said plans and decided to do something new, something that can further expand the series of quality beverages they have already put out into the world. Wayup was that something, the company felt upon launching the beverages made under the brand Wayup, in the heart of Chicago, in Logan Square. Although self called “beer people through and through”, the team thought it would be interesting to bring a new perspective and interest to clients, and hopefully further expand people’s conception of what is worth drinking.
Although conditions were not optimal, with the drinks being sold only to be consumed at home, due to the lockdown, the company started with two flavors, Citrus Dream and Tropical Vision, both hard seltzers available at the Hopewell Supermarket.
Easy to drink and clean, the two Wayup flavors are only the beginning
Citrus Dream is made with yuzu and tangerine, while Tropical Dream takes inspo from tiki drinks, showcasing a combo of pineapple, mango, and key lime. They’re both so, so, so easy drinking and clean, with just the right amount of fruit and citrus for balance, their makers feel. It is just the kind of drink someone would be able to take to the office, on a relaxed Friday, Hopewell co-founder Samantha Lee thinks, adding that they “were always tasting these things and talking about them and thinking about how we would make it”, before the pandemic hit, bars closed and orders for beer dropped, increasing the need for new products, to keep losses at bay.
The Wayup seltzers grew out of these tasting sessions, as the team at Hopewell slowly began developing their take on a bubbly, fruit-flavored and gluten-free beverage.
Hopewell could use the equipment they already had to begin producing hard seltzer, which uses a slightly different process from that of the beer to produce the neutral alcohol for the base of the drink, fermenting sugar instead of grains.
Hard seltzers are only the beginning for the Wayup brand, the next flavor, a reinterpretation of an aperitivo spritz (which is not actually a cocktail in a can, since the company’s license does not allow it to produce spirits or wine), is supposed to reach the shelves – or should we say, the pickup orders – in March 2021. Future Wayup flavors could include Riesling grapes or a seltzer that mimics the flavors of a prickly pear Paloma.
Since launching in December, Wayup Citrus Dream and Tropical Vision hard seltzers have made their way into Whole Foods stores as well as various liquor and grocery stores throughout Chicago. Both seltzer varieties can also be purchased directly from the Hopewell Supermarket, which is currently occupying the brewery’s Logan Square taproom. Hopewell is hoping to launch a handful of new Wayup products every year.
Either at home, from your own fridge, or out on rooftop bars, the new drinks are all in
So, good news for new drinks enthusiasts, they have some more variety to bring home. But, for those who do so, remember that these drinks, as well as beer, need some very specific storage conditions, so be sure you have the best place to do so. If you need guidance in choosing the best and most affordable beer fridge, here are our picks for the 15 best beer fridges for your home bar in 2021.
But if you are sick and tired of partying in your own living room, remember that, even though large gatherings of people are still banned, you can always find creative ways to go on a perfect date. What could be better than having a view of Chicago’s skyline as a background, especially since, when it comes to COVID-19 protocols, the best practice is to spend time outdoors? It is great to hit up one of the Windy City’s incredible rooftop bars, and, if standard cocktails are not your cup of tea, the choice of a new Chicago-born drink such as Wayup will surely sweeten up your date night.
