Hard seltzer company crafts new beverage that bridges beer, gin

By Jay McKinney

Can’t decide between a thirst-quenching beer and a refreshing gin and tonic? You may no longer need to choose.

The folks at Pakka Hard Seltzer and its sister business, Epic Brewing Company, have created a new drink with an identity crisis. Juniper is legally defined as a beer because it is fermented rather than distilled. But with botanical ingredients and a 17-percent ABV, it draws a close comparison to gin. Juniper ends up in a category of its own.

The beverage was born in the back of the brewery as an experimental project with minimal direction when brewers filled some old whiskey barrels with a high-alcohol seltzer base.

After aging for quite some time, they opened the barrels and were pleasantly surprised with the result of this fermented science experiment. This initial spirit had a whiskey and water flavor that the brewery bottled into growlers and sold as shots in the taproom. But after the supply sold out, they began brainstorming other possibilities that would use the same method.

With a better idea of what would be produced, there are now three of these fermented spirits. Juniper was the first one to be released at the Epic Brewing taproom in Denver. The ginger-flavored Zingiber is next, and will soon be available in Denver. Last, the original whiskey recipe will become available once it has finished aging and will be sold under the name Quercus, which is Latin for “oak.”

Since they are not distilled spirits, these new alcoholic drinks could be sold at grocery stores, convenience stores and even in restaurants and bars that don’t have full liquor licenses.

By law it’s technically considered a beer and even says so in very fine print on the label. However, the larger bottle size and higher alcohol content make this drink far from any traditional beer.

While these fermented spirits are not meant to be substitutes for distilled gin, whiskey or ginger liqueur, the creators are optimistic about the possibilities of making ready-to-drink cocktails that mimic well-known bar staples. Whether it’s Quercus & Ginger, a Juniper & Tonic or any other cocktail imaginable, the sky’s the limit with these new fermented spirits.

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.