Michelob ULTRA seltzer is a popular hard seltzer beverage made by Anheuser-Busch. It contains sparkling water, alcohol, natural flavors, and no artificial sweeteners. Hard seltzers like Michelob ULTRA have been growing rapidly in popularity in recent years as a lighter and refreshing alternative to beer, wine, and cocktails. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a detailed look at everything that goes into Michelob ULTRA seltzer and how it’s made.
What is Michelob ULTRA Seltzer?
Michelob ULTRA seltzer is a hard seltzer made by Anheuser-Busch, the makers of Michelob ULTRA beer. It contains just 2 grams of carbs, 80 calories, and 4% alcohol by volume per 12 oz serving.
The seltzer comes in a variety of popular fruit flavors like peach pear, cherry lime, and grapefruit. It is made using sparkling water, alcohol, natural flavors, and stevia leaf extract (a natural sweetener). Unlike many competing hard seltzers, Michelob ULTRA does not contain any artificial sweeteners.
The seltzer has a light, fruity taste and effervescent carbonation that makes it refreshing to drink. It’s packaged in sleek 12oz slim cans and also available in variety packs.
Michelob ULTRA Seltzer Ingredients
Here is a breakdown of the main ingredients contained in Michelob ULTRA seltzer:
Carbonated Water
The base of Michelob ULTRA seltzer is carbonated water, which provides the bubbly effervescence. The water is carbonated by being infused with pressurized carbon dioxide gas. This gives it the refreshing, fizzy texture.
Alcohol
Michelob ULTRA seltzer contains 4% alcohol by volume, which is derived from fermented grains. Hard seltzers use fermented grains like malted barley to produce alcohol through a brewing process. The alcohol content is slightly less than a typical beer.
Natural Flavors
The flavors like peach, lime, and grapefruit come from natural flavorings derived from real fruit sources. Natural flavors provide the fruity taste without artificial additives. The exact fruit sources used are proprietary.
Stevia Leaf Extract
To provide light sweetness, Michelob ULTRA uses an extract from the stevia plant as a natural zero-calorie sweetener. Stevia leaf extract is 200-300 times sweeter than standard refined sugar.
No Artificial Sweeteners
Many hard seltzers contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose to make them taste sweet without added sugars. Michelob ULTRA seltzer contains no artificial sweeteners.
Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a 12oz can of Michelob ULTRA seltzer:
| Nutrition Facts | 12 oz can |
|---|---|
| Calories | 80 |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Alcohol | 4% ABV |
As you can see, Michelob ULTRA seltzer is low in calories, carbs, fat, and protein compared to regular beer or cocktails. The main calories come from the 4% alcohol content. The seltzer has 70-90% fewer calories than most full calorie beers.
How is Michelob ULTRA Seltzer Made?
Michelob ULTRA seltzer is made using a similar brewing process as beer. Here are the key steps involved:
1. Milling the Grains
The process starts by milling malted barley grains. This cracks open the grains’ starch so it’s accessible during brewing.
2. Mashing the Grains
The milled grains are mixed with hot water in a mash tun. This allows the grains’ sugars to dissolve into the water, creating a malty liquid called wort.
3. Boiling the Wort
The wort is then boiled to sterilize it and extract flavors from the grain husks. Hops may be added during the boiling to impart bitterness.
4. Fermenting the Wort
After boiling, the wort is cooled and yeast is added to start fermentation. The yeast consumes sugars converting them into alcohol and CO2 gas.
5. Carbonating
The hard seltzer is carbonated by adding pressurized CO2 gas. This gives it the bubbly, effervescent texture.
6. Flavoring
Natural fruit flavorings and stevia extracts are added to give Michelob ULTRA its fruity, lightly sweet taste.
7. Canning
Finally, the hard seltzer is canned into 12oz slim cans and packaged into variety packs.
So while simplified vs beer, many steps are similar to brewing beer. The key differences are less grains/hops are used and it’s fermented for a shorter period to produce a lower alcohol content.
Quality Ingredients & Brewing Process
Michelob ULTRA seltzer is made with high quality ingredients and an optimized brewing process perfected by Anheuser-Busch’s master brewers. Key quality elements include:
– Using All Natural Ingredients
All the flavors and sweeteners in Michelob ULTRA Seltzer come from natural sources, with no artificial additives used. This delivers a clean, pure taste.
– Brewing with High Quality Grains
The malted grains used are carefully inspected to ensure they meet exacting quality standards. This provides the foundation for great tasting seltzer.
– Precision Fermentation Process
The beer is fermented in a highly controlled environment to precisely achieve the 4% ABV alcohol content with minimal residuals.
– Carbonation for Optimal Bubbles
The carbonation process is carefully monitored to give Michelob ULTRA seltzer the fine bubbly texture consumers love.
– State of the Art Canning
The seltzer is canned using modern canning lines that minimize oxygen exposure. This keeps the flavors and carbonation optimized.
Flavors Available
Michelob ULTRA seltzer comes in a wide variety of refreshing fruit flavors. Here is an overview of the different flavor offerings:
Peach Pear
Combines juicy peach and ripe pear flavors. Well balanced and approachable.
Cherry Lime
Tangy cherry blended with tart lime citrus notes. A zesty, exciting flavor.
Grapefruit
Bright, sparkling grapefruit flavor. Tart and subtly sweet citrus taste.
Cucumber Lime
Cool cucumber accented by fresh lime. Crisp and clean flavor.
Mango
Exotic and tropical mango flavor. Fruity and sweet island vibe.
Pineapple
Fresh and juicy pineapple taste. Vibrant tropical fruit flavor.
Mixed Berry
Blend of blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry flavors. Jammy mixed berry taste.
Watermelon Kiwi
Refreshing mix of watermelon and kiwi. Perfect fruity summer flavor.
New seasonal flavors are also regularly introduced. Current seasonal options include Apple Pear and White Cranberry Tangerine.
Availability
Michelob ULTRA seltzer is sold nationally across the United States wherever beer is available. You can find it at stores like:
– Grocery stores
– Liquor stores
– Gas stations
– Warehouse clubs
It’s available in 12 and 24 pack cans, as well as variety packs with popular assortments. It can also be ordered online from sites like Drizly, Instacart, and Amazon in select areas.
To find Michelob ULTRA seltzer near you, be sure to use the product locator on their website.
Drink Recipes
In addition to enjoying it on its own, Michelob ULTRA seltzer can be used to make refreshing cocktail recipes like:
Michelob ULTRA Seltzer Spritz
Ingredients:
– 1 can Michelob ULTRA seltzer
– 2 oz sparkling wine or champagne
– Orange slice for garnish
Directions: Fill a wine glass with ice. Add seltzer, then gently top with sparkling wine. Garnish with an orange slice.
Michelob ULTRA Seltzer Frose
Ingredients:
– 1 can Michelob ULTRA seltzer
– 1.5 oz vodka
– .5 oz rose syrup
– Fresh strawberries for garnish
Directions: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add seltzer, vodka, and rose syrup. Stir gently. Garnish with strawberries.
Michelob ULTRA Seltzer Cranberry Smash
Ingredients:
– 1 can Michelob ULTRA Cranberry seltzer
– 1.5 oz Bourbon
– .5 oz lemon juice
– 4-5 fresh mint leaves
– Lemon wheel for garnish
Directions: Muddle mint leaves in a shaker. Add seltzer, bourbon, and lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain into glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon.
Nutrition & Health Benefits
Compared to many other alcoholic drinks, Michelob ULTRA seltzer offers a healthier option with these nutrition and wellness benefits:
– Low in Calories
At just 80 calories per can, Michelob ULTRA seltzer fits into healthy lifestyles and diets.
– Low Carbohydrate
With only 2 grams of carbs, Michelob ULTRA is keto-friendly.
– Gluten Free
The seltzer is brewed without any wheat or barley, making it safe for people with gluten allergies.
– No Artificial Sweeteners
Michelob ULTRA uses no artificial sweeteners, relying only on stevia extract for its light sweetness.
– Real Fruit Flavors
The fruit flavors come from real peach, lime, and other natural sources. No artificial or “essence” flavorings are used.
– Refreshing Hydration
The sparkling water base helps you stay hydrated while enjoying the flavor and alcohol content.
So Michelob ULTRA seltzer offers many of the benefits of sparkling water with the bonus of real alcohol and flavor.
Popularity of Hard Seltzers
Michelob ULTRA and other hard seltzers have absolutely exploded in popularity in recent years. Here are some key stats about the amazing growth:
– Over $4.5 billion market in 2021
Hard seltzer sales have rapidly grown into a multi-billion dollar market, up from just $487 million in 2018.
– 234% volume growth from 2019-2020
Hard seltzer sales volumes nearly tripled from 2019 to 2020 as the trend accelerated.
– White Claw and Truly have over 50% market share
Pioneering brands like White Claw and Truly dominate the market, but many new competing seltzers from beer brands have entered.
– Bigger than the entire craft beer market
Hard seltzers surpassed the entire craft beer market in dollar sales in 2020. Their growth has been astronomical.
– 25% of millennials drink hard seltzer
Nearly 1 in 4 millennials are consumers of hard seltzers, a huge adoption rate in a short time.
Hard seltzers have clearly found amazing traction with modern drinkers looking for low calorie, fruit flavored, Instagrammable beverages.
Why Michelob ULTRA Seltzer Became Popular
With so many competing hard seltzers, why has Michelob ULTRA grown quickly into one of the most popular brands? There are several key reasons:
– Trusted Michelob Brand
Coming from the well-known beer brand Michelob, it has instant brand recognition and trust.
– Variety of Flavors
Michelob offers the most extensive flavor lineup of any major hard seltzer. With constant new launches, there’s a flavor for everyone.
– No Artificial Sweeteners
Michelob ULTRA uses no artificial sweeteners, which appeals to many health conscious consumers.
– Low Carb & Calories
Each can has only 80 calories and 2g carbs. This fits great into active, fitness-focused lifestyles.
– Lighter Carbonation
It has a smoother, less harsh carbonation compared to some seltzers. Very drinkable and refreshing.
– Attractive Marketing
Fun, creative ads and influencer campaigns drive brand awareness, especially on social media.
– Widespread Distribution
Easy availability nearly everywhere beer is sold makes it hugely convenient to buy.
With these advantages, Michelob ULTRA seltzer appeals to mainstream drinkers and stands apart from the crowd of hard seltzers.
FAQs
Is Michelob ULTRA seltzer gluten-free?
Yes, Michelob ULTRA seltzer is brewed without any barley or wheat, making it certified gluten-free.
How many calories in Michelob ULTRA seltzer?
There are 80 calories in a 12oz can of Michelob ULTRA seltzer.
What is the alcohol content of Michelob ULTRA seltzer?
It contains 4% alcohol by volume, which is less than most beers and many other hard seltzers.
Is Michelob ULTRA seltzer keto friendly?
Yes, with only 2 grams of net carbs, Michelob ULTRA seltzer can fit into a keto diet.
What natural sweetener is used in Michelob ULTRA seltzer?
It’s sweetened with stevia leaf extract rather than artificial sweeteners.
Conclusion
Michelob ULTRA seltzer offers a flavorful but light alcoholic beverage fueled by the hard seltzer boom sweeping the alcohol industry. With its trusted brand name, variety of flavors, and focus on natural ingredients, Michelob has built one of the leading brands in the white-hot hard seltzer wars. For active drinkers looking for a lower calorie option, Michelob ULTRA’s 4% alcohol seltzer provides the perfect balance of refreshment, real flavor, and alcohol kick. Thanks to its rapid rise to popularity, sparkling water spiked with alcohol has become a go-to drink at backyard barbecues, beaches, parties, and happy hours for millennials and beyond.