F.X. Matt Brewing Company Introducing Hard Soda Line

16 Oct 2015 --- Utica, N.Y. — The F.X. Matt Brewing Co., brewer of Saranac Soft Drinks, is re-introducing the Jed’s brand in November, 2015. The “Jed’s Hard” line will include Root Beer, Orange Cream, and Black Cherry Cream – each flavor being made from and inspired by the well-known “Saranac 1888” soft drink line.

The launches come on the heels of strong consumer demand – company president Fred Matt says that people have been begging for a Saranac entrant into the category.

“I can’t tell you how many times people have called or come up to me and referenced our award-winning root beer, asking when we plan on releasing our own hard root beer,” says Fred. He continued, “And we’re feeling like we can make a really strong impact on the category. We’re starting from a great base, our Saranac 1888 soft drink line that people know and love, and we took our time to get the ‘Jed’s Hard’ line of products right. Our Jed’s Hard Root Beer, for instance, wasn’t finalized until the 43rd attempt during product development.”

Research suggests that the alcoholic soft drink category “is not a flash in the pan,” and strong consumer demand has already made the category a veritable force. When comparing to craft beer, the alcoholic soft drink category leader is already ranked 6th in the top 30 craft brands, and is the 2nd craft 6-pack behind Sam Adams’ Seasonal. Those numbers are compared against the craft beer category that has been growing at a double digit pace for seven years running. Need more be said?

Each of the Jed’s Hard flavors is 5.9% alcohol by volume delivering a traditional soft drink flavor and finishing with notes of cream. Jed’s Hard Root Beer is brewed with vanilla extract, birch oil, and anise, Orange Cream is not unlike Saranac’s Orange Cream which is reminiscent of creamsicles, and Black Cherry Cream combines black cherry and vanilla cream flavors. Consumers (21+ years of age) will be able to enjoy these hard beverages in 6-pack bottles.

Jed’s in years past had been America’s first hard lemonade but seems like a fitting evolution for the brand, combining two things the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. does exceptionally well: brewing alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.