Taste Test: New Quirk and Quirktails expand the lighter side of Boulevard Brewing Co.

Quirktails // Courtesy Boulevard Brewing Company

I’m almost embarrassed to reveal how excited I was to see that Boulevard Brewing Co. announced a line of “Quirktails.” The light and bubbly Quirk Hard Seltzers have been my go-to for years now.

Every now and then the occasion calls for a stronger drink, thus leading me to create fun concoctions using said seltzer, a shot of liquor, and some garnish or fancy ice cubes if I’m feeling extra. So to set the stage for this taste test, that is what I was expecting.  An effervescent, lightly flavored beverage with a heavy-hitting alcohol content.

I was wrong. 

The new 12 oz. glass-bottled Quirktail beverage is made from the Quirk base with fermented malt added, as well as additional flavors and colors (the nutrition and ingredient label is not yet available at the time of publication.)

All of this results in a slightly thicker, less bubbly, and sweeter drink compared to Quirk Hard Seltzer. Being a malt beverage means it is not gluten-free as consumers may have come to expect from the Quirk product line. 

As a final note of comparison, Quirk Hard Seltzers have 4% ABV, while Quirktails sit at 5.9%. That is not a tremendous difference–especially when consumers are expecting a cocktail-like product. 

My parents, Jeff and Julie, are also Quirk fans, so I enlisted their help on a taste test. Over Mexican food and conversations about Mean Girls, thrifting, and podcasts, we sampled each flavor straight from the bottle/can and from a glass. Here are our honest and all-over-the-place reactions to each flavor:

Raspberry Lemon Drop Quirktail “Ripe raspberry and zippy lemon juices.”

Let’s kick things off with this vibrant variety. The bright red color of the liquid and the candy-like fragrance make a big impact. In his best sommelier impression, my dad announced, “Notes of cough syrup.” However, it is subtle and I don’t think that flavor is a dealbreaker for everyone. I certainly don’t mind it. 

Raspberry and lemon were prominent, making this a sweet and tart sip. We quickly learned that there is no alcohol taste in these drinks. From the cutesy label design to the bright color and scent, I’d be extra careful when it comes to keeping this one away from kids. 

Mango Mandarin Marg Quirktail “Tangy lime, bright orange, and sweet mango juices, finished with a satisfying sprinkle of salt.”

While mandarin is front and center in this bright orange drink, the secondary flavor of mango adds a tropical nod. I happily marked this as my top choice. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but has the most natural, true-to-the-fruit flavor of the new line. I wish I could say that any of us picked up on the salt or even an overall margarita vibe, but the mandarin took center stage.

Since each of the three flavors are packaged in its own six-pack, I might consider buying this one mid-summer. However, since they are in glass bottles, these won’t be allowed at most pools, lakes, parks, etc.

Pineapple Breeze Quirktail “Tropical juices and notes of pineapple, orange, and subtle coconut.”

Orange seemed more prevalent than pineapple, but the overall tropical idea came through well. While this flavor fell in third place for me, my parents were happy to split the rest of this bottle and named it their favorite. I left the remaining bottles at their house.

I’m not sure I’ve ever actually had a wine cooler–the kind I associate with the 90s–but I imagine this is what it tastes like. Not bad, but definitely meh. This flavor seems like a safe bet for a first release, but I don’t predict that this flavor will be repurchased often.

Quirktails // Courtesy Boulevard Brewing Company

Final verdict

If you want a fruity drink from Boulevard with a higher alcohol content, reach for a Fling canned cocktail instead of these. This Boulevard product line already exists, has a more grown-up and interesting can design, as well as a 7.5 – 9% ABV range. The strong and sure flavors of Paloma, MaiTai, Vodka Lemonade, and more use local spirits like Una Vida Tequila and 360 Vodka. 

Quirktails fall somewhere in the middle between Quirks and Flings, and I’m not convinced that it was a necessary addition.

However, if you appreciate Quirks but have always wished they had a more obvious and sweeter flavor, these are for you. If you’re stuck on Bartles & Jaymes but would rather support a local brewery, by all means, dive in. Last but certainly not least, if you want to get them because you think they’re cute, please do! 

Bonus round

Quirk Hard Seltzers have come to represent nearly a third of Boulevard Brewing Co.’s overall sales. This canned beverage line is gluten-free, has 90 calories with 4g of carbs, and has a relatively low ABV of 4%. The aluminum can packaging makes them safe for the pool or lake.

Like most seltzer products, these are known for their lightweight flavor profile and effervescence. Have you heard the joke about La Croix? “When it says Strawberry flavor, it means that it tastes like the truck drove by a strawberry field on the way to the store.” Quirks have a more perceptible flavor than that, but if you expect it to be closer to a soda, you will be disappointed.

Quirk Fountain Fizz // Courtesy Boulevard Brewing Company

The new Fountain Fizz Quirk variety pack is available now. Retro inspiration à la Winsteads gives this a unique take on hard seltzer. After being a little disappointed in the Quirktails, we were excited to try the new flavors of our tried and true product. Let’s dish:

Ginger Grape Fizz Hard Seltzer “A vibrant mix of sweet, tart grape juice elevated by subtle ginger zestiness for a bubbly, berry treat.”

I hope you like ginger. The ginger in this flavor was too strong for my preference, but when poured into a glass, it became more evenly balanced and leaned a little floral, even. P.S., all of these flavors are best when they are ice-cold.

Clementine Cream Pop Hard Seltzer “It is a nostalgic combination of sweet, tangy orange juice with hints of creamy vanilla.”

Quirk has the “cream” element down pat. The warm hint of vanilla found in the Whip variety pack was brought into Clementine Cream Pop. In fact, I noticed cream before clementine at first sip. This was my test group’s pick for second place. 

Lemon Thyme Limeade Hard Seltzer “Bright and zippy citrus juices get a touch of savory thyme for a burst of refreshing flavor.”

We struggled to identify the thyme element. My mom went as far as to bring out thyme from the kitchen to show dad what it is supposed to smell like. This is basically a lemon-lime flavor.

It is refreshing and bright, but not the most interesting. Out of the four new flavors, this one landed in last place for us. But if we return to my homemade quirktail strategy, this could be better with some fresh mint and a shot of any citrus vodka or a botanical gin.

Black Cherry Vanilla Hard Seltzer “Big bursts of sweet cherry juice complemented by notes of vanilla for timeless flavor with a crisp taste.”

Surprise–I saved the best for last! I knew that Boulevard was on to something with this flavor before I ever cracked open the can. Each person I showed the case to said that the flavor they were most excited about was Black Cherry Vanilla.

This gives a distinct black cherry and draws the mind to cola, even if it’s just the power of suggestion from the can design and pack name. If you put one of these new Fizz variety packs in a cooler of ice, expect this flavor to go fast. I regret not keeping more of this one for myself.