Both White Claw and Truly are popular brands of hard seltzer that have been gaining popularity as lower carb alcohol options. Hard seltzers are made by fermenting cane sugar or malted rice, and then blending that with carbonated water and natural flavors. The result is a lightly flavored, carbonated beverage that contains less sugar and carbohydrates than many other alcoholic choices.
The Nutrition Facts
To compare the carb content of White Claw and Truly seltzers, we’ll look at the nutrition facts labels of some of their most popular flavors.
White Claw Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a 12 oz serving of some of White Claw’s most popular flavors:
Flavor | Calories | Carbs (g) |
---|---|---|
Black Cherry | 100 | 2.7 |
Mango | 100 | 2.5 |
Raspberry | 100 | 2.7 |
As you can see, a 12 oz serving of White Claw contains 100 calories and between 2.5-2.7g of carbohydrates, depending on the flavor.
Truly Nutrition Facts
Now let’s look at the nutrition facts for a 12 oz serving of some top Truly flavors:
Flavor | Calories | Carbs (g) |
---|---|---|
Lime | 100 | 1 |
Wild Berry | 100 | 2 |
Grapefruit | 100 | 1 |
For Truly, a 12 oz serving also contains 100 calories, but has between 1-2g of carbs depending on variety. Their lime and grapefruit flavors have the lowest carb content at just 1g per can.
Carb and Calorie Comparison
Looking at the big picture, White Claw and Truly have very similar nutrition profiles. They both clock in right around 100 calories and 2g net carbs per standard 12 oz serving. However, when comparing specific flavors side by side, Truly tends to edge out White Claw with slightly fewer carbs thanks to options like their lime and grapefruit that only have 1g of carbs.
Here’s a direct carb comparison for some of the most popular flavors:
Flavor | White Claw Carbs | Truly Carbs |
---|---|---|
Fruit Punch | 2.7g | 2g |
Mango | 2.5g | N/A |
Grapefruit | N/A | 1g |
Lime | 2.7g | 1g |
So when comparing similar flavors, Truly tends to have 0.5-1g fewer net carbs than White Claw. Over the course of several drinks, this carb difference could add up. So if limiting carbs is your top priority, Truly may be the better hard seltzer option.
Ingredients
In addition to having slightly lower carbs, some other ingredients differ between the two brands that are useful to compare:
White Claw Ingredients
White Claw is made from a simple blend of sparkling water, alcohol base, and natural fruit flavors. The alcohol base is made from fermented sugar. White Claw does not contain any sugar, gluten, or sodium. The ingredients will vary slightly based on the fruit flavor, but generally include:
- Carbonated water
- Alcohol base (fermented sugar)
- Natural flavor
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
Truly Ingredients
Truly is also made by fermenting sugar to create the alcohol base. Their ingredients are also simple:
- Carbonated water
- Alcohol base (fermented cane sugar)
- Natural flavor
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
As you can see, the ingredients are virtually identical between White Claw and Truly. Both rely on fermented sugar, carbonated water, natural flavors, and some citric acid-based preservatives. So there’s no major advantage for either brand when it comes to ingredients.
Sugar Alcohols
One ingredient distinction is that Truly contains erythritol, a sugar alcohol, while White Claw does not contain any sugar alcohols. Erythritol contributes only 0.5 calories per gram and has minimal impact on blood sugar levels. However, some people can be sensitive to sugar alcohols and experience digestive side effects.
So while the erythritol may allow Truly to reduce the carb count slightly compared to White Claw, it also means Truly may not agree with those who are sensitive to sugar alcohols. White Claw avoids sugar alcohols altogether.
Popularity
Both White Claw and Truly have surged in popularity in recent years, dominating the hard seltzer market. However, based on sales data in 2022, White Claw remains the top selling hard seltzer brand.
According to market research, in 2022 White Claw captured about 50% market share in the hard seltzer category. Truly was the second best selling brand with around 30% market share. Other competitors like Bud Light Seltzer trailed behind with under 10% market share.
So while Truly sales are strong and growing, White Claw remains the most popular hard seltzer overall based on current sales data. Their leading market position gives White Claw wider availability and more brand recognition with consumers.
Taste Test
When it comes to taste, there is no universally “better” option between White Claw and Truly. Both offer a variety of fruit flavor options, with some overlapping. Preference ultimately comes down to individual taste.
In blind taste tests conducted by different media outlets, the brands rated very closely. For certain flavors like black cherry, raspberry, and mango, consumers tended to prefer White Claw. For other flavors like grapefruit, lemonade, and pineapple, Truly was scored as tasting slightly better.
Overall, when averaging across all flavors, White Claw and Truly were scored as comparable in terms of taste quality. So neither brand appears to have a consensus taste advantage based on blind testing.
White Claw Flavors
Here are some of the most popular White Claw flavors:
- Black Cherry
- Raspberry
- Mango
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Pineapple
Truly Flavors
And here are some top-selling Truly flavors:
- Lemonade
- Grapefruit
- Wild Berry
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate
- Lime
The variety of flavors allows consumers to choose their favorites between the two brands. Those who tend to enjoy brighter, citrus flavors may prefer Truly’s lineup, while fans of more classic fruit flavors may like White Claw.
Alcohol Content
Another similarity between White Claw and Truly is alcohol content. Both are 5% alcohol by volume, which is typical for hard seltzers. This alcohol percentage provides a light buzz without being overly intoxicating.
For comparison, most regular beers have an alcohol content ranging from 4-6% ABV. So White Claw and Truly offer a level of alcohol that’s comparable to many beers and lighter than most wines and spirits.
The alcohol in hard seltzers comes from fermented sugar, while beer is brewed from fermented grains and wine from fermented fruit. But the actual alcohol percentage ends up similar across these various alcoholic beverages.
Since White Claw and Truly both clock in at 5% ABV, there is no difference between the brands when it comes to alcohol strength. The light alcohol content makes them popular choices for casual drinking and modest buzz.
Price
When it comes to price, White Claw and Truly are competitively matched. They both retail around $0.50-$1.00 per 12 oz can, depending on location. When purchased in variety packs, the per can price is usually on the lower end of that range.
In a 6-pack, 12 oz cans of White Claw or Truly generally range from $10-$15. For a 12-pack variety package, expect to pay $16-$25. So on a per-can basis, that shakes out to $0.70-1.25 depending on package size.
Overall, Truly might be priced slightly lower than White Claw in some markets. But any price differences amount to mere cents per can. So price should not be the key factor driving choice between the two brands.
Availability
White Claw has a slight edge in availability and distribution footprint compared to Truly. As the top selling hard seltzer, White Claw expanded production capacity early. This allows them to distribute widely to meet consumer demand.
Truly has also ramped up production and availability, but still trails White Claw in distribution reach. While both brands are readily available at major retailers like liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and big box chains, White Claw will be easier to find at smaller specialty shops.
Based on their category-leading sales and distribution footprint, White Claw has wider availability across different regions and retail locations compared to Truly. But both have strong mainstream presence in the hard seltzer aisle.
Low Carb Diets
Both White Claw and Truly are well-suited to low carb diets like Keto, Paleo, and low glycemic eating patterns. Their low sugar and carb content allows them to fit into carb-conscious lifestyles.
Between the two, Truly may align slightly better with Keto guidelines thanks to some flavors having just 1g of carbs. Keto typically advises limiting net carbs to under 20-50g per day, so Truly can more easily fit this requirement.
However, there are some downsides to drinking hard seltzers on low carb diets. First, the alcohol can temporarily pause ketosis. Also, some sensitive individuals may react to ingredients like sugar alcohols in Truly. And the lack of nutrients doesn’t necessarily align with Paleo principles.
So while both seltzers are low carb options, those adhering to strict Keto or Paleo plans may want to consume in moderation or avoid altogether if any unwanted symptoms occur.
Gluten-Free
Gluten-free diets avoid grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Both White Claw and Truly are certified gluten-free, so they can fit into gluten-free lifestyles.
Since hard seltzers are made from fermented sugar and not grain-based, they do not contain gluten. This makes White Claw and Truly inherently gluten-free.
For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it’s important to note that just because a product is labeled gluten-free, cross-contamination can still occur during manufacturing. Only items certified gluten-free using rigorous standards can be considered fully safe.
Both White Claw and Truly state their gluten-free status clearly and adhere to strict production procedures to avoid any cross-contamination. So health-conscious gluten-free drinkers can feel confident choosing either brand.
Low Sugar and Carb Diets
Limiting overall sugar and carb intake is beneficial for health goals like losing weight, regulating blood sugar, and reducing risks for certain diseases. Both White Claw and Truly offer a solid low sugar, low carb alcoholic beverage option.
Compared to beer, cider, wine coolers, and mixed drinks, they are significantly lower in carbs and sugar. Just one 12 oz serving contains under 3g carbs and zero added sugar.
This makes White Claw and Truly easy swaps for higher sugar drinks on a low carb or low sugar diet. Their light carb profile allows moderate consumption even when reducing overall carbs.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting diets involve consuming all calories during specific time windows, such as 16:8 or 18:6 fasting protocols. In terms of intermittent fasting, the best option is avoiding alcohol altogether during fasts.
However, if consuming alcohol must occur within the eating window, Truly or White Claw are lower-impact options. Keep in mind alcohol can halt fat burning. But their low calorie and carb profile prevents significantly disrupting the fasted state.
Enjoying one or two White Claws or Trulys is unlikely to sabotage intermittent fasting results. Just be mindful of overall calorie intake, hydrate well, and limit higher carb mixers like fruit juices or sodas.
Calorie Restricted Diets
For managing weight and losing fat, creating a calorie deficit is key. Lower calorie drinks help enable this deficit while still allowing beverage enjoyment.
With only 100 calories per 12oz serving, White Claw and Truly offer a solid lower calorie alcohol choice without sacrificing flavor. This contrasts beer, wine, and cocktails that can range from 150-300+ calories per serving.
Enjoying hard seltzers in moderation can fit into a calorie-conscious diet for well-balanced alcohol consumption. Just account for the calories in daily intake and scale back as needed to meet goals.
Conclusion
When comparing White Claw and Truly, both brands offer similarly low carb, low calorie, gluten-free hard seltzers. Truly edges out White Claw slightly with 1-2 grams fewer carbs for certain flavors. However, White Claw remains America’s top selling hard seltzer due to its popularity, distribution footprint, and mix of flavors.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference – are you drawn more toward Truly’s brighter fruit flavors or do White Claw’s classic options appeal? Either brand can fit into a low carb, low sugar, or gluten-free diet successfully. Just enjoy whichever option provides the most refreshing, guilt-free experience.