Watching the Super Bowl with the boys and trying new hard seltzers? Synergy.
Cameron bought this pack and I was ecstatic to review it for the people. New Belgium is the Colorado brewery behind Voodoo Ranger and Fat Tire, and Fruit Smash is its first move into hard seltzer.
The variety pack has four flavors: Pink Lemonade, Tropical Mango, Berry Blast, and Citrus Punch. Most were solid, but one was a major letdown.
| Flavor | Jared |
|---|---|
| Tropical Mango | 8.0 |
| Pink Lemonade | 7.8 |
| Berry Blast | 7.5 |
| Citrus Punch | 4.8 |
Pink Lemonade: 7.8
Surprisingly not very sweet, yet very refreshing. I can taste the real juice.
Tropical Mango: 8.0
Like Pink Lemonade, it’s light, but with a distinct mango flavor. Not too sweet.
Berry Blast: 7.5
It doesn’t have the fruity juiciness of Pink Lemonade or Tropical Mango, but it’s still extremely refreshing.
Citrus Punch: 4.8
Definitely the worst in the pack. I can’t pick out citrus or any specific fruit. It’s basically a lime LaCroix with less taste. If that’s your thing, more power to you, but it’s not for me.
Conclusion
A really solid pack overall, despite ending on supreme disappointment. Added fruit juice can be a gimmick, but New Belgium did it right: the fresh fruit taste comes through in three of four flavors and will appeal to anyone who isn’t into super-sweet, artificial-tasting drinks.
One more thing: after drinking the pack, I noticed New Belgium’s website now sells variety packs with only Pink Lemonade, Tropical Mango, and Berry Blast. Citrus Punch seems to have been quietly dropped. Smart move.
More seltzer reviews: Three Birds and Michelob ULTRA Organic with coconut water.
