Truly vs. White Claw: The Standard ABV Match-Up
For a head-to-head comparison of their classic offerings, the answer to "Do Truly or White Claw have more alcohol?" is surprisingly straightforward. A standard 12-ounce can of either Truly Hard Seltzer or White Claw Hard Seltzer contains 5% ABV. This places them on par with many light beers in terms of alcohol content. The alcohol in both beverages is derived from fermented sugars, typically from cane sugar for Truly and a blend of gluten-free grains for White Claw.
Alcohol-Boosted Seltzer Lines: Where the Differences Emerge
While the standard products are identical in ABV, the comparison changes when looking at their high-alcohol options. Both brands have introduced stronger seltzers to meet consumer demand for a more potent product. These lines are where a true difference in potency can be found within each brand's portfolio.
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White Claw Surge: The Surge line from White Claw offers a higher ABV product. As reported in 2021 and 2023, the White Claw Surge line has an 8% ABV, a significant step up from their standard 5%. This makes a single can more potent than a typical Truly. Flavors in the Surge line have included Blood Orange and Cranberry.
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Truly Extra Hard Seltzer: Truly responded to the high-ABV trend with its own enhanced product, Truly Extra Hard Seltzer. Initially launched around the same time as White Claw's Surge, this line also features an 8% ABV. Truly Extra has updated its flavor options over time, with recent examples including Pineapple Orange and Berry Blast.
Other Seltzer Lines: The Vodka Seltzer Debate
Beyond the malt-based products, both brands have expanded into spirits-based seltzers, specifically using vodka. For these specific vodka seltzers, there is a divergence in alcohol content.
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Truly Vodka Seltzer: Truly's line of vodka seltzers, such as the Pineapple Cranberry or Peach Tangerine, maintains the 5% ABV, similar to their original malt-based offerings.
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White Claw Vodka + Soda: In contrast, the White Claw Vodka + Soda product clocks in at a slightly lower 4.5% ABV. While a small difference, it is a key distinction for consumers comparing these specific product ranges. It should be noted that a prior version of the vodka seltzer may have been 4% ABV, but the official site lists 4.5%.
Comparison Table: Truly vs. White Claw Alcohol Content
| Product Line | Truly | White Claw |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Hard Seltzer (12 oz) | 5% ABV | 5% ABV |
| High-Alcohol (e.g., Truly Extra / Surge) | 8% ABV | 8% ABV |
| Vodka Seltzer | 5% ABV | 4.5% ABV |
| Seltzer Tea (e.g., Hard Iced Tea) | 5% ABV | 5% ABV |
More Than Just ABV: Other Factors to Consider
While ABV is a critical factor for many consumers, it is not the only differentiator between Truly and White Claw. Other considerations include nutritional information, flavor options, and the source of the alcohol base. For instance, standard Truly seltzers are often cited as having slightly fewer calories and sugar than standard White Claws, although these differences are sometimes negligible and can vary by product line. Truly also has a reputation for offering a wider and more experimental range of flavors.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when asking "Do Trulys or White Claws have more alcohol?", the answer depends on which specific product lines are being compared. For the original hard seltzer, the ABV is a tie at 5%. However, both brands offer high-alcohol versions at 8% ABV. In the spirits-based category, Truly's vodka seltzer at 5% ABV is slightly more potent than White Claw's at 4.5% ABV. For most drinkers, the choice between Truly and White Claw will come down to personal flavor preference, overall product variety, and specific dietary concerns, rather than a significant difference in baseline alcohol content.
The Final Verdict
- For standard seltzers: It's a tie, with both offering 5% ABV.
- For high-alcohol seltzers: It's also a tie, with both brands featuring 8% ABV options.
- For vodka seltzers: Truly has slightly more alcohol at 5% ABV compared to White Claw's 4.5% ABV.
- Final selection: Your choice should be based on flavor preference and whether you prefer the slightly higher ABV of Truly's spirits-based seltzer or the lower sugar/carb count of some White Claw products. For example, the official White Claw site may show the Vodka + Soda as 4.5% ABV, a slight difference worth noting. For example, the 4.5% ABV White Claw Vodka + Soda still has more alcohol than a 4.2% ABV Summer Shandy. Therefore, it is essential to check the label of the specific product you intend to purchase.
