Liquor Laboratory

White Claw vs Truly: A Hard Seltzer Showdown (2024)

Whiteclaw vs Truly

When it comes to refreshing, low-calorie spiked seltzers, we can’t deny the popularity of White Claw and Truly in the hard seltzer market in the past few years.

While each hard seltzer brand has its own edge, which is the better choice that delivers excellent quality, flavor, and a refreshing drinking experience?

As someone who has explored various hard seltzers extensively, I’m excited to share my insights on this White Claw vs Truly showdown. Which hard seltzer should be your go-to drink? Read on!

WhiteClaw vs Truly Hard Seltzer Compared

Two Women Drinking Truly & White Claw Hard Seltzer

White Claw and Truly are two of the most prominent players in the hard seltzer category, and while they share some common characteristics, they also have distinct differences.

These two drinks have a 5% ABV, making them equally potent. They also share the use of sugar cane as a sweetener, providing a balanced sweetness to their flavors.

The main difference between White Claw and Truly hard seltzers lies in their flavor offerings.

Truly boasts extensive flavors, catering to a broad spectrum of taste preferences. White Claw offers a respectable variety but may have fewer options than Truly.

“At Truly, we believe in embracing the lighter side of life, whether that’s crafting the most refreshing flavors or creating unforgettable, unique drinking experiences for our fans.” – Matt Withington, Truly Hard Seltzer’s Director of Marketing

While Truly and White Claw share some fundamental qualities, such as their alcohol content and sweetener choice, it’s the range of flavors where they truly set themselves apart.

Truly vs White Claw Cheat Sheet

AspectWhite ClawTruly
Parent CompanyMark Anthony Brands Boston Beer Company 
Originating RegionUnited States United States 
Launch Year2016 2015 
Alcohol Content5% ABV 5% ABV 
FlavorsApprox. 17 flavor variations Approx. 27 flavor variations
SweetenerCane sugar Cane sugar 
Gluten-FreeYes Yes
Tagline“White Claw Summer” & “Let’s White Claw” “Truly Refreshing” & “No One Is Just One Flavor”
PopularityHighly popular Highly popular
Star Rating4/5 5/5 

Closer Look At The Differences

Origin & History

Truly and White Claw both hail from the United States, with White Claw (from Mark Anthony Brands) emerging in 2016 and Truly (from the Boston Beer Company, parent company of Sam Adams) hitting the market in 2015.

While Truly boasts a year head start, White Claw’s rapid rise to popularity has made it a household name in record time, keeping many consumers interested. But what alcohol is in Truly?

Nutritional Profiles

Cans of Truly Hard Seltzer

Truly and White Claw’s nutrition facts are quite similar. They are both gluten-free [1], have no artificial sweeteners, and have a modest alcohol content of 5% ABV.

Sugar

Truly and White Claw’s sugar content is in the same range, usually one gram per serving.

Calories (Kcal)

In terms of calorie count, White Claw and Truly are quite similar. However, White Claw may have a slight lead since it has fewer calories (100kcal), particularly the White Claw’s Vodka Soda.

Truly, specifically, Truly’s Vodka Soda contains 110kcal. This is close to White Claw’s, but this might be a deciding factor for some meticulous consumers.

But for me, in terms of calories, both have a relatively low caloric content, so they’re safe choices for sparkling water fans!

Carbohydrates

The biggest difference in terms of nutritional profile is their carb content per serving.

White Claw hard seltzer has the edge in this regard, with only two grams of carbs. The brand also released the seltzer “70,” with zero carbs.

Truly hard seltzer also contains around two grams to four grams of carbs, which is relatively higher than White Claw brands.

Also Read:

Flavor Variety

One area where Truly Hard Seltzers [2] shines the most is in its diverse range of fruit flavors.

Truly has (more or less) 27 flavors, including the classic lineup of their spiked seltzer: Watermelon Kiwi, Raspberry Lime, Blueberry Acai, Citrus Squeeze, Passion Fruit, and Black Cherry, among others.

Meanwhile, White Claw offers (more or less) 17 flavors. White Claw flavors include the four flavors of the Vodka Soda, White Claw Surge, Natural Lime, Lime, Ruby Grapefruit, and Black Cherry, among others.

Production

Hand Holding Can of White Claw's in Ruby Grapefruit Flavor

White Claw’s brand lineup is crafted by combining seltzer water, a gluten-free alcohol base, and a touch of fruit flavor.

The alcohol is extracted from fermented cane sugar and carefully blended with natural flavors and juice concentrate.

Truly’s brand lineup is crafted using seltzer water, alcohol, and natural fruit essences. The brand uses malt liquor as the alcohol base, blended with natural flavors and concentrated fruit juice.

Cocktails

White Claw and Truly hard seltzer sales continue to go up as both brands are excellent cocktail mixers.

You can get creative and whip up your own hard seltzer cocktails by adding fruits, herbs, or other spirits to enhance the flavors.

The endless possibilities make these brands a versatile choice for any mixologist and average consumer.

Price & Value

When it comes to price, White Claw and Truly brands [3] are generally in the same ballpark. The cost varies depending on your location and the local grocery store, but neither tends to break the bank.

“Sip the sparkling essence of choice: Trulys and White Claws, where refreshment meets variety in a can.” – Liquor Laboratory

Besides, both brands offer variety packs. So, in one purchase, we can get to try various flavors.

FAQs

Are White Claws healthier than other alcohol?

White Claws can be considered a healthier alternative to many other alcoholic brands due to its lower calorie and carbohydrate content. However, it’s essential to drink responsibly and in moderation.

What kind of alcohol is in Truly?

The kind of alcohol in a Truly drink is malt liquor – a beverage similar to beer but infused with natural flavors.

Which is healthier, White Claws or Trulys?

Both White Claw and Truly are relatively healthy options compared to traditional alcoholic drinks, thanks to their lower calorie and carbohydrate content. Also, each drink contains citric acid [4] and sodium citrate.

Does Truly have vodka in it?

No, Truly does not contain vodka. It is a malt beverage made from fermented sugars, much like beer.

Which brand has fewer calories?

Both White Claw and Truly offer low-calorie options, typically containing around 100 calories per serving. The exact calorie count may vary slightly depending on the flavor and specific product line.

Can I find White Claw and Truly outside of the United States?

Both White Claw and Truly have expanded their availability beyond the United States, with distribution in various international markets.

Do White Claw and Truly contain artificial sweeteners or flavors?

Both brands may use natural and artificial flavorings in their products. It’s essential to check the ingredients list on individual cans or bottles if you have specific dietary preferences or restrictions.

On A Final Note

In this White Claw vs Truly showdown, declaring an outright winner is challenging because each alcoholic beverage provides fantastic options catering to different preferences.

However, I’d lean slightly towards Truly if I had to pick one. Here’s why:

While White Claws has a slight edge in terms of nutritional facts, Truly has been around a bit longer, giving a slightly more extensive flavor portfolio.

Besides, Truly offers various flavor selections with a refreshing taste, perfect for social gatherings and summer outings.

But I can’t deny the fact that White Claw is still an excellent choice, especially for health-conscious peeps!

So, I encourage you to explore both and see which tickles your palate and quenches your thirst for a bubbly, refreshing beverage. Cheers!

References:

  1. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/gluten-free-means-what-it-says
  2. https://www.businessinsider.com/hard-seltzer-craze-timeline-white-claw-truly-bud-light-seltzer-2021-10
  3. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/hard-seltzer-sales-truly-boston-beer-company/
  4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/citric-acid
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