If you’re a fan of craft beer in Cincinnati I think that it’s safe to say that you’re aware of MadTree… I think it’s also safe to say that their beers find their way into your fridge on a very regular basis. However – if you don’t drink beer – MadTree might not have been a staple in your house very often, and they’ve been trying pretty hard to solve that for a while, now.
They’ve finally found their spot in a whole new set of fridges with this new release – it’s a line of canned cocktails that they’re calling ‘Sway’. We’ll spend a few minutes talking about what they’re like in just a minute, but first I want to talk about why they’re making these (in my opinion, of course). We’ve gotta lay down the groundwork, so you can see why I’m so excited about them.
MadTree Is A Place For All Of Us
MadTree has worked hard to create a taproom that has become a space for everyone to enjoy. They’ve knocked it out of the park, too. You know what I’m talking about. Walk into the taproom on any given weekend and you’ll find a slice of mankind there. From Kid’s birthday parties, beer geeks hanging out while fussing over some obscure beer style, couples on dates together… you get the picture. Everyone is there.
When you go to MadTree they have what you want, no matter who you are.
But for non-beer drinkers – they didn’t have something to fill your cooler, stock your fridge, and keep your thirst quenched outside of the taproom. There was a gap that they’ve been trying to fill.
Finding The Piece That Makes Sense
MadTree has always dabbled with drinks that fit the bill for non-beer drinkers. They’ve made cider, served wine in the taproom, sodas – all sorts of fun stuff… but in recent years they started playing around in the cocktail sphere, and really started to fall in love with it. It’s a step above the seltzers that have really been dominant in recent times, in my opinion. It really allows the brewery to play with flavors and experiences that beer doesn’t get to dip into very often.
I like it.
They’ve stepped in full force, too. Just wait until you get to visit their new space down in OTR, the Alcove? You’re going to see an even big push into the world of cocktails by the brewery. You should be planning for that visit this month, as soon as you’re able to – it’s an entirely new side of MadTree’s personality that I think you’re really going to like.
When they kept playing around with ideas of a packaged product that they could experiment with inside of the ‘beyond beer’ space – it seems clear to me that the choice is, and was, very obvious.
Canned Cocktails
Introducing Sway
These canned cocktails sit squarely in a space between the cocktails that they serve in the taproom and seltzers. (Note… these aren’t seltzers). They’re light, crisp, easy-drinking and if you’re a fan of either one you’ll be happy with them.
The cocktails come in at 4.5% ABV, a low 90 calories, only one carb, and zero sugar. They’re also gluten-free.
In typical MadTree fashion, too, they didn’t do this the “easy” way – they spent a lot of time fussing over these to make sure they fit what they wanted the brand to be. It’s, in their words, ‘MadTree style’. They settled on a local vodka from Northside Distilling after working their way through a ton of blind tastings. They wanted to find something that tasted good alone but also melded well with the flavors that they were wanting to incorporate.
Northside fit the bill – and since they were local and able to produce the amount that MadTree would need – the decision was easy after that.
My Thoughts – Yeah… I Drank Them (For Science)
If you know me, like, “actually” know me – you know that I’m a very equal-opportunity drinker. (That means I drink a little bit of everything and a lot of it). I love a good cocktail, almost as much as I enjoy a great beer. But I can get a little grumpy over a bad one. With all of that being said – let’s talk about Sway. I have to note before I dive into my opinions about these, MadTree mailed me a press kit that included some swag, and a couple of cans of the canned cocktails to try – I didn’t pay for them, but that doesn’t in any way change my desire to write about them… or what I’m going to say about ’em, either.
I tried the Grapefruit + Ginger one first. I drank it right out of the can, because – why not. And it was great. Light, refreshing – it wasn’t overpowering on any of the flavors, but they were all definitely there. Fresh ginger popped bright and center like someone flipping on a light switch – popping over the top of an effervescent grapefruit base. This sucker is refreshing… 100%.
The Strawberry + Guava was up next. I went with a glass with this one, and while very similar – it felt a lot more fruity to me. It was still light and super easy to drink, but the strawberry and the guava played around with each other in a fruity, fresh, and earthy fullness. It’s bold, yet flippant… full and yet light. It sits right on the line perfectly. I could drink a bunch of this during the summer.
I think you see the trend here. If you’re wanting a drink that you can fill your cooler with and drink all day long in the summer while you’re hanging out by the pool – these definitely fit the bill. There is a different side to these, though. Fill a small glass with ice, throw a garnish in there, and these settle into a much more elevated experience.
The Takeaway
Here’s how I feel about Sway. These canned cocktails fill a space in the MadTree portfolio that was really, really needed. There aren’t many things on the shelf today that I find myself wanting to spend my money on instead of beer (in the ready-to-drink format) and these hit it right on the head. This is what I want… and I don’t even think that I’m the target consumer for them.
To me, that’s a brilliant sign that they are going to go over really well with the folks that are the target consumers.
These new canned cocktails will be hitting shelves starting today, Monday, March 7th. They’re sold in four-packs of 12oz slim cans… and you 100% should give them a try. If the sun is out and you’re even a little thirsty, the choice is that much easier. Trust me.