White Claw Hard Seltzer
White Claw Hard Seltzer is an alcoholic seltzer water beverage manufactured by Mark Anthony Group. The beverage was introduced in 2016 and is sold in many different flavors. The beverage is made from a blend of seltzer water, a gluten-free malted alcohol base, and fruit flavor. The alcohol base (termed "beer base" in customs rulings) is composed of 51% sugar, smaller amounts of yeast and nutrients, water, and trace amounts of "malted gluten-free grains"; the exact recipe and methods are trade secrets. History. White Claw was created by Mark Anthony Group, run by Vancouverite  Anthony von Mandl and also known for producing Mike's Hard Lemonade. The brand experienced tremendous growth after its introduction in 2016. Von Mandl told "Forbes" his U.S. business is estimated to deliver close to $4 billion in revenue in 2020. In the summer of 2019, it was reported that White Claw accounted for over half of all total hard seltzer sales in the United States; volume sales of White Claw grew 275% over the year prior. White Claw entered the Canadian market in 2020 with limited flavors, later expanding offerings. The Canadian version is made with vodka rather  than a beer base. New flavors were introduced in for the American market in March 2020 and again in March 2021, along with iced tea seltzers. In 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sought to re-classify White Claw in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, when importing the product. Previously classified as "beer" (to which no tariffs apply), CBP felt the beverage belonged to the category of "other fermented beverages", to which tariffs do apply. Reasons cited were that White Claw "does not have the taste, aroma, character or appearance of beer" and "is not named  beer, and importantly, is not sold or marketed as beer". The reclassification was made final on June 2, 2021, taking effect August 1, 2021. Popularity in the U.S.. From 2016–2020, hard seltzer sales increased at a triple-digit annual rate. In 2019, White Claw was noted the top-selling hard seltzer in the country, with 60 percent of the category market. The same year, the surge in White Claw's popularity was met with a national shortage. Throughout 2019, White Claw's popularity grew as a result of the hard seltzers being circulated through viral social media videos, which included  the slogan "Ain't no laws when you're drinking Claws," coined in a video by YouTube comedian Trevor Wallace which gained 4.2 million views. In July 2020, White Claw recorded a 246.7% increase in sales when compared to the summer months of 2019. Facilities. Mark Anthony Brewing, the subsidiary company that produces White Claw in the U.S., operates a manufacturing plant in Glendale, Arizona, and distribution center in Hillside, New Jersey. Another manufacturing plant is planned for Richland County, South Carolina, expected to be complete summer 2021.