Stone Brewing launches Buenavida Hard Seltzer
If you can’t beat them, join them. Once known for their love of all things extreme and hoppy, southern California’s brewing pioneers at Stone Brewing are now getting into the hard seltzer game. In true Stone Brewing fashion, co-founder Greg Koch used to rail against and mock breweries that made light beers, lagers and seltzer like products rather than the big, bold and usually high alcohol beers that Stone build their brand on. Now things have changed, Stone is launching Buenavida Hard Seltzer in custom-molded 12oz glass bottles reminiscent of Jarritos sodas that are now available throughout Southern California.
More from a press release:
For those struggling with the very concept of a hard seltzer from one of our nation’s most prolific craft breweries – one best known for its bold and flavorful IPAs – you’re not alone. Stone’s own co-founder, Greg Koch has hardly been reserved in his skepticism of the hard seltzer category over the last several years. In fact, he still seems to be largely on the fence, albeit while at least trying to find a couple nice things to say. CEO Maria Stipp shared, “I remember mentioning the idea of a hard seltzer during my first Stone Town Hall meeting as CEO last year and the silence from the audience was…deafening. Clearly, I hit a nerve.”
So, what in the actual hell is going on here with Stone coming out with a line of hard seltzers, and in glass at that? While the concept may have sent shockwaves that reverberated in the hallways at Stone, it’s become clear that hard seltzers are no longer just for poolside, boats and beaches. Stone arrives at the scene as hard seltzers are landing at dinner tables and cocktail bars, as well as backyards. As such, Buenavida Hard Seltzer is crafted for the good life. Superior in flavor, brilliantly bubbly and dare we say, packaged to impress. These seltzers arrive in custom-molded 12oz glass bottles that look, in a word, rather badass.
“Cheers to our brewers who proved that hard seltzer isn’t defined by mediocrity,” expressed Koch. “I was full on skeptical. I fully acknowledge having openly mocked the category, as I felt we wanted no part in the buffoonish culture that’s been so strongly associated with it. But there’s a new era of QUALITY hard seltzers out there, and that’s where Stone belongs. We believe Buenavida Hard Seltzer is more refined.”
Buenavida Hard Seltzer is brewed with high quality cane sugar and natural flavors, and will launch in Mixed 12-packs of four festive flavors, all at 5% ABV:
Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Watermelon & Lime
Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mango
Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Black Cherry
Buenavida Hard Seltzer - Mandarin
Buenavida Hard Seltzer launches exclusively in Southern California the week of July 19, 2021 and is available at all Stone Brewing locations. National distribution may follow in January 2022, providing Stone is able to keep up with SoCal demand. Visit Find.StoneBrewing.com to locate Buenavida Hard Seltzer.
Those following along may note the new hard seltzer’s naming convention and “Imported from San Diego” tagline is particularly familiar. Launched nationally in 2020, Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager took on a category of beer that was similarly ripe for disruption: the Mexican Lager style. Now one of Stone’s fastest selling brands, Buenaveza offers a Stone-caliber beer that’s sophisticated in flavor, easy on the palate, and only 4.7% ABV. As you can guess, Buenaveza offered a spiritual inspiration for Buenavida Hard Seltzer. Celebrate the festive Buenaveza & Buenavida good life at @livebuena on Instagram.
And since you’ve read this far, here’s a tip: When pressed in the sand, each bottle of Buenavida Hard Seltzer leaves the mark of a good time. Stone’s custom molded bottles feature a stamp of the Live Buena Sugar Skull (a version of the iconic Stone gargoyle) on the bottom of the glass. Fans can share their good life moments on Instagram using #livebuena.
QUICK FACTS
Name: Buenavida Hard Seltzer
ABV: 5%
Release Dates: SoCal: July 2021; National: Jan 2022
Web: StoneBrewing.com/Buenavida
Packaging: 12oz 12-back bottles
Find it Near You: Find.stonebrewing.com
ABOUT STONE BREWING
The San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States. An industry leader in environmental sustainability, Stone averages 4.5 gallons of water usage per 1 gallon of beer, as compared to the 7:1 industry standard. Stone operates breweries in Escondido, CA and Richmond, VA, plus nine tap room and bistro locations and one of the nation’s largest craft-centric beverage distributors, Stone Distributing Co. The company’s long list of environmental efforts includes a LEED Silver Certification, world-class water reclamation, solar panels, creative uses of spent grain, and even live goats for ecological vegetation management. Stone has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice. To find Stone beers, visit find.stonebrewing.com. For more information on Stone Brewing visit stonebrewing.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.