Braxton Brewing is the latest craft brewery to debut a hard seltzer

The next entrant into the craft hard seltzer scene is coming from Cincinnati-area Braxton Brewing Co. Crafted with Pure Kentucky Artisan Water, Vive Hard Seltzer will be available early 2019 in four naturally flavored varieties — Mango, Lime, Dragonfruit and Grapefruit — and clocks in at 5 percent ABV, only 100 calories and two grams of carbs.

“Working on the Vive Hard Seltzer product has been both challenging and rewarding,” said Evan Rouse, cofounder and chief product officer of Braxton Brewing Co. “When opening Braxton, I never thought we would be making a move into the FMB bev-alc category, but I am extremely excited we have decided to explore this sector.”

Hard seltzers are officially a thing, and here’s why two craft breweries are ready to sell some

The process of creating a hard seltzer is unlike that of creating a beer, according to Braxton Brewing Co. It is an entirely new process relying on new and unique equipment that allows the brewery to create a clear, neutral, pure base, that when unflavored and uncarbonated, highly resembles water. Over six months of research on the category and even more time on product research and development went into making Vive the innovative product it is.

Vive Hard Seltzer is not only a first for Braxton Brewing Co., but also puts Braxton on the map as the southern Ohio, northern Kentucky region’s first brewery to release an adult beverage of this kind and is being pitched like most hard seltzers as “a new way for alcoholic beverages to be enjoyed guilt-free,” according to the press release.

“There’s no doubt that today’s customer is changing the way they consume alcoholic beverages. We had a long talk with our team about this move and couldn’t be more thrilled to bring to life a brand that celebrates the passion and craft that we bring to our beer every day to Vive — a hard seltzer celebrating Kentucky’s amazing water and a better-for-you alcoholic beverage,” said Jake Rouse, cofounder and CEO at Braxton Brewing Co. “To be first to market with a local hard seltzer speaks wonders about our team’s commitment and passion for innovation. I can’t wait for consumers to try Vive in early 2019.”