Making Hard Seltzer

By Joshua Rosenthal

Let's Get This Party Started!

Hard seltzer is a great low-cal, low-carb alternative to beer. It is light, refreshing, and in some cases viewed as being healthier. Hard seltzer is usually 5% ABV and comes in multiple flavorings: citrus, stone fruit, berry, melons, etc…There are a lot of commercial examples on the market right now from both regional and national brands. I would encourage you to try them but even better is making your own hard seltzer at home!

I will admit; I am not one to order or seek out a hard seltzer unless being asked to bring to a social gathering or have on hand for friends. However, I had the opportunity to brew my own hard seltzer from MoreBeer (Wild Water Hard Seltzer) as my family was hosting a few non-beer drinkers and wanted to have something else to enjoy. The kit had all the ingredients I needed and I can say this; it turned out truly (pun inteded) delicious! Hard seltzer is a great addition to your tap lineup or an alternative to have in bottles to share with your friends & family. I will be brewing More! in the future that's for sure. I have outlined my process and the recipe below, have fun!!!

Quick Links - jump to:

• Hard Seltzer Recipe!
• 10 Steps to Brewing Hard Seltzer!

Hard Seltzer Recipe:

Items included in Wild Water Hard Seltzer kit:

• 5 lbs Corn Sugar
• Water Modifier Salt Packet (added at the same time as the sugar)
• Yeast
• Yeast Rehydration Nutrient
• Yeast Fermentation Nutrient
• Fining Agent

Step-by-step instructions to making Hard Seltzer:

Step 1. Heat 5 gallons of distilled water to 180F

1. Depending on your heat source, this can take about 25 minutes or longer. Use a thermometer to check temperature.

Step 2. Add the 5 lbs of Corn Sugar and the two Salt Packets and stir to dissolve both completely.

1. Use a brewing spoon to mix vigorously.

Step 3. Make sure to sanitize your fermentation vessel and rehydrate your yeast while you are waiting for your water to come to temperature.

Step 4. Rehydrate your yeast: boil 2 oz of drinking water and then allow the water to cool to 85-95 degrees.

a. Mix in the 2g of Fermstart and then sprinkle in the 5g of EC1118 yeast

b. Let it sit for at least 2 minutes

Step 5. Begin chilling the sugar water via immersion chiller or ice bath etc

a. I used a plate chiller to cool my solution as it entered into the carboy. You can also use an immersion chiller and then transfer the water to your carboy/fermentation vessel.

Step 6. Transfer the chilled water to the fermenter and pitch the yeast at 70 degrees.

1. Ferment at 70-74 degrees
   1. Find an area of your house where the temp is consistent. I also like to use the Tilt (provides up-to-date readings of my gravity) to assist me with my gravity readings, so I don’t have to open my carboy to pull a sample.

Step 7. Nutrients! At the 24 hour mark: add 6g of FermFed DAP Free

1. The color of the carboy above is after adding the FermFed DAP Free. It had increased my fermentation activity per Tilt and the bubbles.
2. 48 hours afterwards: Add the remaining 6g of FermFed DAP Free (A Krousen began to form on top of my seltzer! Great activity!!)

Step 8. After 10 days of fermentation, check your gravity reading and add Super Kleer (allow 24 to 48 hours for the seltzer to clear.)

1. Fermentation is complete when the gravity reaches 1.000.
2. If you do not reach 1.000 after 14 days, then you could have a stuck fermentation.
   1. If your fermentation is stuck: you can add more FermFed DAP Free per kit instructions.

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