Air To Drink: Is Nothing Better Than Something?
An H20 bar that charges for a glass of filtered tap water just launched in New York City, so we're not all that surprised this exists on the West Coast. Air (short for "alcohol inspired refresher") is the newest malt beverage to hit the U.S. market. Capitalizing on a resurging trend of "pure" or minimalist products, the 4 percent ABV sip (about the same as most lager beers) is sold in slim sliver cans in three flavors.
The "club flavor" flagship version is supposedly tasteless — think seltzer water with a kick — and because of this rings in at just 95 calories per 12-ounce can. You can also find Air in citrus and berry styles, and the natural flavorings bump the cals up to 143 per serving.
In essence, Air is like a watered-down vodka drink with extra fizzy pop, and will be sold in the beer aisle, like Zima and other '90s malt bev brands that have since fallen off the face of the Earth. So far, the beverage has been launched in Portland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle and is coming this August to San Francisco.
— Danya Henninger, The Drink Nation
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