MillerCoors Announces Hard Soda Brand

MillerCoors this week unveiled two new beverages in an effort to capitalize on the hard soda trend in the U.S.

The Chicago-based beer giant announced the debut of Henry's Hard Soda, which will initially offer ginger ale and orange soda at 4.2 percent alcohol by volume.

The new line is named for Henry Weinhard, a German immigrant who built a beer empire in Oregon and famously offered to pump his beer through a fountain in Portland.

Reports last year suggested that MillerCoors would make additional forays into the flavored beer and hard soda markets, particularly as domestic beer sales lagged.

"I think the hard soda space is definitely compelling and fast-moving," MillerCoors marketing chief David Kroll told Advertising Age in July. "I also believe that with our brewing capabilities we have the ability to enter with a superior preferred entry."

The new hard ginger ale and hard orange soda will sold nationwide in 6-pack 12-ounce bottles and 16-ounce single cans. A national marketing campaign, including TV, print and digital platforms, will begin later this month.