Do White Claws Count as Beer? The Definitive Answer

According to Nielsen data, White Claw accounted for over half of all US hard seltzer sales in 2019, sparking widespread curiosity about its composition. Despite its popularity, many people are still confused: do White Claws count as beer? While they are often shelved alongside beer, the short answer is no, they do not.

Quick Summary

White Claw is a flavored malt beverage, not a beer. The alcohol comes from fermented sugars from gluten-free grains, unlike beer, which ferments sugars from malted barley. This distinction affects their taste, ingredients, and legal classification, though they share a similar ABV.

Key Points

• Different Ingredients: Unlike beer's malted grain base, White Claw's alcohol is derived from fermented gluten-free sugars.

• Distinct Production: The hard seltzer fermentation is followed by aggressive filtration that strips all color and flavor, a process not used in traditional beer brewing.

• Vastly Different Flavor: Beer gets its flavor from malt and hops, whereas White Claw relies on added fruit essences for its taste.

• Lower Calories and Carbs: Hard seltzers are typically lower in calories and carbs than most beers, a key marketing point for White Claw.

• Legal vs. Literal Classification: While sometimes taxed and regulated like beer, hard seltzers are considered a distinct product in the industry and by consumers.

• Gluten-Free Alternative: For those seeking a gluten-free option, White Claw provides a viable choice, unlike most standard beers.

Understanding the Core Ingredients

To understand why White Claw is not a beer, one must look at the fundamental ingredients and production methods of each beverage. The key lies in the fermentable base used to create the alcohol.

What Is Beer Made Of?

Traditional beer relies on four main ingredients: water, malted barley (or other grains), hops, and yeast.

• Malted Grains: The grains, primarily malted barley, are soaked to activate enzymes that convert starches into fermentable sugars. The type of grain and the roasting process significantly impact the beer's flavor and color.
• Hops: These are the flowers of the hop plant that provide bitterness to balance the sweetness from the malt. Hops also contribute aroma, flavor, and act as a natural preservative.
• Yeast: This is the microorganism that consumes the fermentable sugars, converting them into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
• Water: The vast majority of beer is water, and its mineral content can significantly influence the final product's taste.

What Is White Claw Made Of?

White Claw, a hard seltzer, has a very different ingredient list, which results in its distinctively clean, light flavor profile.

• Gluten-Free Alcohol Base: White Claw’s alcohol comes from fermented sugars derived from malted gluten-free grains or, in some markets like Canada, a vodka base is used. This base is then filtered and stripped of all flavor.
• Seltzer Water: Carbonated water provides the fizz.
• Natural Flavors: Fruit essences and natural flavorings are added after fermentation to give the seltzer its taste.
• Sweeteners: A small amount of cane sugar is used for sweetness.

The Production Process: Fermentation Differences

Both beer and hard seltzer are created through fermentation, but the process is vastly different, leading to two completely different products.

The Beer Brewing Process

1. Mashing: Malted grains are soaked in hot water to activate enzymes that convert starches into sugars, creating a sugary liquid called 'wort'.
2. Boiling: The wort is boiled, and hops are added for bitterness and flavor.
3. Fermentation: The mixture is cooled, and yeast is added to ferment the sugars into alcohol. The type of yeast and temperature determine if it's an ale or a lager.
4. Conditioning: The beer is aged to allow flavors to mature.

The Hard Seltzer Production Process

1. Fermentation of Sugar: Sugars from gluten-free grains or cane sugar are fermented with yeast.
2. Filtration and Stripping: The fermented alcohol base is aggressively filtered and clarified to remove all color and flavor characteristics of the original sugar source.
3. Flavoring: The resulting neutral alcohol is blended with carbonated water and natural fruit flavors.

Legal Classifications and Industry Perceptions

Adding to the confusion is the legal and retail classification. In many places, due to its alcohol content and fermentation process, White Claw is taxed and regulated in the same category as beer. However, this is primarily for administrative purposes and does not change its fundamental nature. Industry analysts often place hard seltzers in a separate, but related, category known as 'beyond beer'. A significant development occurred in 2021 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection reclassified imported White Claw, arguing it “does not have the taste, aroma, character or appearance of beer”.

A Comparison Table: White Claw vs. Beer

Feature	White Claw (Hard Seltzer)	Beer
Alcohol Source	Fermented gluten-free sugar base	Fermented malted grains (typically barley)
Core Flavoring	Added natural fruit flavors after fermentation	Derived from malt, hops, and yeast during brewing
Taste Profile	Light, fruity, and refreshing, with a clean finish	Wide range from bitter and hoppy to rich and malty
Key Ingredients	Water, gluten-free alcohol base, natural flavors, cane sugar	Water, malted grains, hops, yeast
Calories (per 12oz)	Approximately 100 calories	Varies greatly, often higher (e.g., 150+ calories)
Carbohydrates (per 12oz)	Low, typically 2 grams	Higher, with a much wider range
Gluten Status	Gluten-free in most markets (check local labels)	Contains gluten (from barley/wheat) unless specially made

Conclusion: Not a Beer, but an Alternative

In summary, the question of "do White Claws count as beer?" is best answered by separating technicalities from popular perception. From a technical and ingredient-based standpoint, White Claw is not a beer; it is a flavored malt beverage with a gluten-free alcohol base. While it shares shelf space and certain legal classifications with beer, the brewing process, ingredients, and resulting flavor profile are distinctly different. White Claw offers a different drinking experience—a lighter, fruit-forward, and lower-calorie alternative that appeals to a different set of consumers. Ultimately, personal preference dictates which beverage is right for you, but understanding the differences highlights why hard seltzers have become a category in their own right.

More Resources on Alcohol Classification

For those interested in the legal and administrative complexities surrounding alcohol, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) offers comprehensive resources. Their site provides information on regulations and classifications that govern alcoholic beverages in the United States, including products like hard seltzers.

Final Takeaway

White Claw is a distinct flavored malt beverage that should not be confused with beer due to its different core ingredients and manufacturing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is White Claw made of?

White Claw is made from a blend of seltzer water, a gluten-free alcohol base derived from fermented sugars, natural fruit flavors, and a small amount of cane sugar.

Does White Claw have gluten?

In most markets, White Claw is gluten-free because its alcohol is fermented from sugars sourced from gluten-free grains. However, specific product lines and regional offerings should be checked, as some may use a malt base.

Why is White Claw often sold next to beer?

White Claw is often shelved next to beer due to legal and taxation classifications. In many jurisdictions, flavored malt beverages are grouped with beer for sales and licensing purposes, even though they are fundamentally different products.

Is a White Claw healthier than a beer?

White Claw typically has fewer calories and carbohydrates than many standard beers, which appeals to health-conscious consumers. However, nutritionists caution that alcohol is still a source of empty calories, regardless of the drink.

What is a flavored malt beverage?

A flavored malt beverage (FMB) is an alcoholic drink made from a fermented malt base, similar to beer, but with flavors added after fermentation to create a distinct, non-beer-like taste.

What is the alcohol content of White Claw?

Most White Claw hard seltzers have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 5% in the US, which is comparable to many standard beers. Other variants, like White Claw Surge, have a higher ABV.

Do all hard seltzers use the same alcohol base as White Claw?

No, while many popular hard seltzers use a similar fermented sugar base, some brands use a distilled spirit base (like vodka), depending on the market and product line.