Hard seltzer of the week: Berczy brings a touch of class and uninspired flavors to the game

Welcome back to FTW’s Beverage of the Week series. Here, we mostly chronicle and review beers, but happily expand that scope to any beverage that pairs well with sports. Yes, even cookie dough whiskey.

Hard seltzer remains an inescapable part of the drinking landscape. And if trends continue, there’s little downside to jumping into an already crowded market.

Sales revenue for boozy seltzers increased by another 22 percent between 2022 and 2023, per Statista. Overall sales volume is projected to increase by nearly four percent next year. Young drinkers are starting with bubbly citrus instead of skunky bargain beers. Older ones are opting for the lower calorie counts and diverse flavors of slim 12-ounce cans over lagers.

That leaves plenty of room for new competitors to join the fray, though they’ll need a hook to set them apart on a crowded horizon. For Berczy, that’s a touch of London class and the distinction of an “alcoholic sparkling water.” The British import promises classic flavors and 75 calories — though the cans I received clock in at 110, which is a pretty significant difference.

Does it stand out for anything other than its origin across the pond? Let’s give it a shot.