While not everything in 2020 has gone as planned (let's be honest, nothing has gone as planned), that's not stopping craft breweries and hard seltzer companies from halting their roll-outs. The newest addition to the bunch comes with an announcement from Harpoon Brewery and VIVE Hard Seltzer, both of whom are rocking fall flavors like they're going out of style... Which they're not, because pumpkin.
Both companies have plenty to offer as far as the autumn season is concerned, and it appears that if there's anything we can count on in 2020, it's that fall will be ready to rock as early as September. With so much hype still surrounding pumpkin spice, even years later, it's not surprising that we can now expect it in things such as hard seltzer. Harpoon's autumnal flavors are in collaboration with Dunkin'; the coffee and pastry chain also announced a collaboration early this year with BARK and is also on a roll... no pun intended.
So, what exactly can beer and hard seltzer fans count on from these two companies? Let's find out while we say "cheers!" to the season.
Harpoon And Dunkin' Collaboration: Four New Brew Flavors
This isn't the first time that Dunkin' has teamed up with a brewery in order to create donut or coffee-flavored brews and Harpoon is only the most recent of their collaborations. However, this one is a big deal, as the two are premiering three new flavors that will eventually be sold in 12-can variety packs. Harpoon and Dunkin' teamed up for the first time back in 2018 and since then have released a Dunkin' Porter as well as a Dunkin' Summer Pale Ale. The flavors were well-received and the two companies continue to deliver greatness to those who ask, gracing coolers everywhere with new autumn additions.
While Harpoon already has several seasonal flavors - including everyone's favorites, Flannel Friday, and a Pumpkin hard cider - they're now introducing Harpoon Dunkin' Pumpkin, Harpoon Dunkin' Boston Kreme, and Harpoon Dunkin' Jelly Donut. It might be possible for people to cut donuts out of their diet for healthier eating options, but what's the consensus on beer that has been made with donuts?
For the first time ever, Harpoon's new additions are actually made with real donut ingredients. The breakdown is as follows: Harpoon Dunkin' Pumpkin is made with real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice, and coffee, to be described as 'light latte ale', Harpoon Dunkin' Boston Kreme is a stout, brewed with real donuts and cacao nibs, with a texture and flavor similar to a 'dry Irish stout,' and the last, Harpoon Dunkin' Jelly Donut, is brewed with donuts as well in addition to raspberry purée to create a 'slightly hazy IPA.'
Those looking to check out the new flavors can visit Harpoon's website to see where they're being sold, as well as to check the status of the 12-packs.
VIVE Hard Seltzer Pumpkin Spice
It should really come as more of a shock than it is to see a pumpkin spice hard seltzer on the list for 2020, but it's just not. With the addition (and joke) of pumpkin spice-flavored spam, pumpkin-lovers were ready for anything and this new hard seltzer is the answering of dreams for many fans. Just in time to welcome the fall season, VIVE Hard Seltzer Pumpkin Spice is due to hit shelves in September, allowing pumpkin-lovers to sip it all throughout the fall season and even well into the holiday season if they so choose.
In the social media advertisement for the pumpkin spice-flavored hard seltzer, VIVE states, "Yep. This is real. Go Ahead. Roll your eyes. Take a sip," wholly acknowledging the stamina surrounding the pumpkin spice movement, yet daring everyone to try it anyway - and, of course, everyone will. The co-founder and CEO of Braxton Brewing Company, the partner company of VIVE, according to Food & Wine, said in a statement, "he thing that makes VIVE so refreshingly different is in its flavor profile, overall. When my brother had me try his take on Pumpkin Spice Hard Seltzer, I knew it had to exist in the world. There are few other products where a flavor profile and a customer base align so directly, that we wanted to be sure that we nailed the flavor. VIVE Pumpkin Spice is likely going to be laughed at initially, but when you try it, you'll quickly understand why we're thrilled to launch!"
If there was any time to take a leap and trust the world of pumpkin spice, now is definitely the time to do it.