Lulz Maple Berry Smash Hard Seltzer 4Pk is a heavily fruited craft hard seltzer from Phase Three Brewing at 7.5% ABV, sold as a 4-pack of cans. Released under Phase Three's dedicated Lulz seltzer label, this expression layers ripe blueberry with seasonal maple, fresh lemon, and mint for a bold departure from mainstream seltzer conventions. Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5% | Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois, USA | Style: Heavily Fruited Hard Seltzer | Producer: Phase Three Brewing (Lulz) Production & Heritage Phase Three Brewing operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and created the Lulz brand as a distinct identity for their seltzer line — a deliberate move to separate seltzer production from their beer portfolio. The brewery's philosophy behind Lulz is to embrace big, unapologetic flavor while shedding what they describe as "all beery pretensions." Maple Berry Smash is gluten-free and dairy-free, and at 7.5% ABV it runs significantly stronger than the 5% standard set by most national seltzer brands. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe blueberry dominates the nose immediately, followed by a wave of warm maple sweetness. Underneath, bright lemon zest and cool spearmint-like freshness keep the aromatics lively and layered. Taste: The entry is sweet and tart with concentrated blueberry flavor that hits with real fruit intensity. At mid-palate, maple syrup richness rounds out the tartness, creating an almost dessert-like quality. Fresh lemon acidity and a cool mint note emerge toward the peak, preventing the sweetness from becoming cloying. Finish: The finish is moderate in length with lingering berry tartness and a fading maple warmth. Mint provides a clean, refreshing close that resets the palate. How to Drink Maple Berry Smash Serve this seltzer well-chilled, straight from the can or poured over ice to keep the fruit flavors vibrant and the carbonation crisp. A Seltzer Spritz works well here — pour over ice with a splash of prosecco and a lemon wheel, letting the maple and blueberry carry the complexity. In a Berry Mule, combine with ginger beer and fresh lime to amplify the tartness against the maple backbone. For a simple Blueberry Smash Highball, pour over crushed ice with a sprig of fresh mint to echo the seltzer's own herbal character. Best For Fall gatherings where seasonal maple flavors match the mood Introducing craft seltzer drinkers to bolder, higher-ABV options Gluten-free and dairy-free drinkers seeking full-flavored alternatives Backyard cookouts as a conversation-starting alternative to standard seltzers Frequently Asked Questions What does Maple Berry Smash taste like? It delivers sweet and tart ripe blueberry up front, followed by warm maple richness, with fresh lemon acidity and cool mint providing balance through the finish. How does Maple Berry Smash compare to White Claw? At 7.5% ABV, Maple Berry Smash runs 50% stronger than White Claw's standard 5% offerings and leans into a far more intensely fruited, layered flavor profile. Where White Claw aims for light, clean simplicity, this Lulz expression prioritizes bold, almost dessert-like fruit and maple complexity. Is Maple Berry Smash good for sipping on its own? Yes — the combination of sweet blueberry, maple warmth, tart lemon, and cooling mint creates enough complexity to enjoy straight from the can without any additions. Where is Maple Berry Smash made? It is produced by Phase Three Brewing under their Lulz seltzer brand at their facility located at 932 Donata Court in Lake Zurich, Illinois. What foods pair well with Maple Berry Smash? Smoked pulled pork benefits from the berry sweetness cutting through the fat. Lemon-dressed arugula salads echo the citrus notes. Blueberry pancakes or waffles with maple syrup create a playful mirror of the seltzer's own profile. Sharp aged cheddar offers a savory contrast to the fruit-forward sweetness. Grilled chicken skewers with a berry glaze complement the blueberry and maple backbone. What sizes does Maple Berry Smash come in? It is available as a 4-pack of cans. Is Maple Berry Smash worth the price? It positions as a craft-tier seltzer, carrying a premium over mass-market brands like White Claw or Truly, but the 7.5% ABV, complex flavor layering, and Phase Three's respected craft reputation justify the step up for drinkers seeking more substance from the category. Why Maple Berry Smash? Phase Three Brewing deliberately built Lulz as its own brand rather than slapping a seltzer label on their existing beer operation — a commitment to treating seltzer as a serious category rather than an afterthought. The 7.5% ABV places Maple Berry Smash well above the mainstream seltzer threshold, delivering genuine potency alongside its fruit-forward character. The combination of blueberry, maple, lemon, and mint reads as distinctly seasonal yet avoids one-note sweetness, giving it a complexity rare in the hard seltzer space. For drinkers who find mass-market seltzers too thin and anonymous, this is a pointed alternative from a brewery that treats the format with the same creative ambition it brings to its beer.
