As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that Truly Hard Seltzer is not considered a malt liquor. Malt liquor typically refers to a type of beer that has a higher alcohol content and is often made with malted barley. Truly Hard Seltzer, on the other hand, is made using a different process and ingredients.
To understand why Truly Hard Seltzer is not a malt liquor, it's important to delve into the production process. Truly, along with many other spiked seltzer brands, uses fermented cane sugar as the base for their alcoholic beverage. This fermentation process is similar to that of brewing beer, where yeast consumes the sugar and produces alcohol as a byproduct.
Unlike beer, however, Truly Hard Seltzer does not use malted barley as its primary ingredient. Malted barley is the key ingredient in beer production, providing the sugars necessary for fermentation. Instead, Truly opts for fermented cane sugar, which gives their seltzer a lighter and crisper flavor profile.
Furthermore, malt liquor is typically characterized by its higher alcohol content compared to regular beer. This is achieved through the addition of extra fermentable sugars during the brewing process. Truly Hard Seltzer, on the other hand, typically has a lower alcohol content, usually around 5% ABV (alcohol by volume). This falls within the range of a standard beer, rather than a higher-alcohol malt liquor.
It's also worth noting that Truly Hard Seltzer, and many other spiked seltzer brands, aim to provide a refreshing and light alternative to traditional beer or mixed drinks. They often come in a variety of fruit flavors and are carbonated, giving them a fizzy and effervescent texture. This sets them apart from malt liquors, which are typically not carbonated and have a heavier, malt-forward flavor profile.
Truly Hard Seltzer is not considered a malt liquor because it does not use malted barley as its primary ingredient and has a lower alcohol content compared to typical malt liquors. The use of fermented cane sugar, along with the addition of flavors and carbonation, distinguishes Truly and other spiked seltzers as a unique beverage category of their own.