The rise of the hard seltzer industry has paved the way for a new type of watering hole: the seltzery. While ordering one of these bubbly drinks on tap at a brewery isn’t a new option, a handful of dedicated seltzeries around the country are making it a point to give them top billing. Soon, seltzer fans will be able to toast in many more such establishments across the country. This summer, a Two Robbers’ taproom, Burgers and Seltzers, is slated to open in Philadelphia, while Twin Petrels Seltzer Co. will begin pouring in Buffalo, New York—more proof that this trend isn’t fizzing out anytime soon. Here, check out four seltzeries to visit in the U.S.
Elevated Seltzer
Arvada, Colorado
Launched in 2019 by brothers Hunter and Warren Wood in the Denver suburb of Arvada, Colorado, Elevated Seltzer has been a pioneer in on-site, seltzer-centric enjoyment, positioning itself as the nation’s “first independent hard seltzer company.” Beer, of course, remains king in Colorado, but Warren Wood points out that the seltzer-making process is “pretty dang similar” to brewing a lager.
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The Local Seltzery
Louisville, Kentucky
The Local Seltzery is giving imbibers an option beyond bourbon in Louisville, Kentucky. Brothers Braxton and Clay Turner opened the spot in November in the up-and-coming NuLu district, hoping to “truly define the seltzer experience,” according to Braxton. “We envisioned seltzers that were cleaner in terms of ingredients and more creative in terms of flavor.” Besides options such as the Orange I Spicy? and the Ruby Red Sipper, the bar mixes seltzer cocktails, including a margarita that clocks in at less than 100 calories.
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San Juan Seltzery
San Juan Island, Washington
San Juan Seltzery, which launched on San Juan Island in 2018 and now has a production facility and taproom in Seattle, is also capitalizing on consumers’ gravitation toward healthier alcohol options, offering drinks that have only 85 calories per serving, zero grams of sugar and carbs, and an ABV of 4.2 percent. The 16 flavors are influenced by the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. “Huckleberry was my first flavor and the inspiration for this brand,” says founder Katy Enger. “Few things represent a quintessential Pacific Northwest berry more than the taste of a rich, ripe, colorful Huckleberry.”
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Summit Seltzer
Charlotte, North Carolina
Summit Seltzer, which Kristin Cagney founded in 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina, also makes its effervescent drinks with real fruit, a process managed by brewmaster Ben Quinones. Two popular flavors are Pinknetic, made with guava and pear, and Toast to Charlotte, a mixed berry and acai flavor that honors not only Summit’s home city but also a friend of Cagney’s who shared the name and who passed away last year. “She loved to give shameless toasts to herself,” Cagney remembers, “so we named Toast to Charlotte in her memory.”
Book Your Flight to CharlotteNext Up: Manhattan Welcomes the First Brewery and Whiskey Distillery to Open on the Island in Decades
