Top Picks for Flavored Malt Beverages

Rich fuscia color. Aromas and flavors of raspberry, Thai basil, and hints of cucumber with a round, tangy, fizzy, dry-yet-fruity light body and a tingling, intriguing, medium-length finish with accents of berry vinaigrette, fresh basil bouquet, and white pepper. A lively and balanced Hard Kombucha busting with fresh basil flavors and natural berry.

Brilliant light hazy pink color. Attractive aromas and flavors of lavender-grapefruit coulis, spiced citrus and melon, and rose petal with a round, tangy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and an engaging, very long finish with accents of grapefruit rind, leafy herbs, and baked lemon. An appealing, very cocktail-like Hard Kombucha falling somewhere between a Bramble and a Greyhound.

Awards: 2021 Best FMB

Silver color. Attractive aromas and flavors of freshly sliced cucumber with a drizzle of honey with a round, crisp, fizzy, dryish light body and a smooth, brisk finish that shows elements of lemon spritz. A fresh, inviting cucumber-y melon Hard Seltzer that slaps!

Bright cloudy light coral red color. Aromas and flavors of fresh ginger, ripe cherry, and lemon-herb vinaigrette with a satiny, tangy, dryish full body and a warming, complex, long finish that shows shades of tart raspberry and lemongrass. A pleasingly dry and refreshing boozy Kombucha with a spicy kick; this is an outstanding single serve option with complex, grown-up flavors that awaken the palate.

Hazy strawsilver color. Aromas of lemon spritz and sweet yogurt with a supple, vibrant, fizzy, fruity light body and a smooth, brisk sparkling Italian lemonade finish. A juicy, refreshing and dry grapefruit seltzer that satisfies.

Hazy neon light ruby color. Exotic aromas and flavors of herbs de provence, pomegranate-cherry gastrique, sourdough starter, and bay leaf in lilac water with a supple, vibrant, dry medium body and a graceful, interesting, medium-long finish that shows notes of berry vinaigrette on root vegetables, watercress, and quince. A dry Hard Kombucha that walks an artisanal line and eschews sugary seduction.

Pale hazy pink color. Citrusy aromas and flavors of grapefruit zest, dried grapefruit wheels, hints of pickling spice, and hints of white tea with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long finish with hints of rosemary. A bright and balanced tangy refresher with pure grapefruit flavors.

Hazy bright coral orange color. Aromas and flavors of fresh clementines and tangerine flesh with a satiny, crisp, spritzy, off-dry light body and a medium-length finish that presents suggestions of grapefruit zest finish. A quenching hard soda in an eye-catching hue that purely captures the essence of fresh tangerine.

Hazy golden yellow color. Aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple, hint of green tea, and lemon blossom with a silky, lively, spritzy, off-dry light-to-medium body and a delightful, medium-length finish with accents of fresh lemonade finish. A fresh, citrusy hard soda with a great pop of acidity and balanced sweetness; a go-to.

Clear color. Aromas of lemon lime soda with a supple, vibrant, dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth, intriguing, medium-long lime-spritzed mango, hints of pineapple, and lemon drop candies finish. A tasty, tropical seltzer treat; stylish, instantly appealing and crushable.