Hey seltzer lovers, looking for a new drink to shake up your summer? If you haven‘t heard of Happy Dad Hard Seltzer yet, you‘re missing out on the biggest party in a can. I finally got my hands on some and I‘m here to give you the full scoop. Strap in, because this seltzer is about to make you very happy!
What is Happy Dad Hard Seltzer?
First off, let‘s cover the basics. Happy Dad is a hard seltzer brand dreamed up by Kyle Forgeard and Stephen Deleonardis, two members of the mega-popular YouTube collective known as the NELK Boys. With their funny prank videos and wild antics, NELK has built a massive following of over 7 million subscribers.
After getting into the merch game with their Full Send brand, the NELK Boys decided to create their ultimate party drink – a hard seltzer that was delicious, crushable, and embodied their fun-loving spirit. They spent months perfecting the flavors and branding before launching Happy Dad to massive fanfare in June 2021.
The seltzer comes in four refreshing flavors: Wild Cherry, Lemon Lime, Pineapple, and Watermelon. Each 12 oz slim can packs a 5% ABV punch but keeps things light at just 100 calories and 1g of sugar. Happy Dad has positioned itself as a premium hard seltzer that doesn‘t sacrifice taste for stats.
Happy Dad‘s Viral Rise to the Top
When Happy Dad launched online, the first batch sold out almost immediately. The NELK Boys‘ legion of fans couldn‘t wait to finally taste the seltzer they‘d been hearing about for months. Beer industry publication Brewbound reported that the presale "catapulted Happy Dad to a 500% increase in searches on Google Trends, outpacing searches for White Claw."
The momentum continued when Happy Dad hit retail stores, starting on the West Coast. Reports of the seltzer flying off shelves and selling out at many locations poured in, as thirsty fans scooped up cases left and right. Drizly and other alcohol delivery apps saw a surge in Happy Dad orders.
After the smashing launch in California, Happy Dad started rapidly expanding distribution to more states. As of March 2022, the brand is available in 26 states and shows no signs of slowing down. On Drizly‘s 2021 year-end report, Happy Dad earned the #5 spot for top-selling new products of the year, an impressive feat for an upstart seltzer.
What‘s driving this massive popularity? The obvious answer is the power of the NELK Boys‘ platform and devoted fanbase. But Happy Dad has proven itself to be more than just a YouTuber gimmick – it‘s a legitimately high-quality seltzer that‘s earned the approval of critics and everyday drinkers alike.
Happy Dad Seltzer Review & Flavors
Alright, let‘s crack into the good stuff – the actual seltzer! I picked up a Happy Dad variety pack and one day I decided to have my own little private tasting party. For the sake of this super serious review, of course. Here‘s the lowdown on each of the four flavors:
Wild Cherry
First up was the Wild Cherry. When I popped the top, the aroma of fresh cherries immediately hit my nose – a promising start! The flavor is tart, juicy, and sweet without being syrupy or medicinal like some cherry drinks. It‘s crisp, clean, and seriously crushable. The cherry essence lingers nicely on your palate after each sip. 10/10, this one‘s a home run.
Lemon Lime
Next I tried the Lemon Lime, a classic combo for summer. This flavor is bright and zippy, with just the right balance of citrus zing and subtle sweetness. It‘s like if a glass of sparkling lemonade and a vodka soda had a delicious baby. Super refreshing and the ideal beverage for a scorching day by the pool. Chalk up another win!
Pineapple
On to the Pineapple. I‘ll admit, pineapple is a hard flavor to get right – it can easily venture into Yankee Candle territory. But Happy Dad‘s pineapple is pleasantly understated, more of a gentle tropical whisper than an aggressive punch in the mouth. It‘s lightly sweet and easy drinking, giving off just a suggestion of ripe pineapple. While not as bold as the other flavors, it‘s a nice change of pace.
Watermelon
Finally we have the Watermelon, a tried-and-true summer staple. This flavor straight up tastes like biting into a crisp, juicy slice of melon. The sweetness is dialed in perfectly to provide that refreshing watermelon essence without going overboard. It‘s definitely the smoothest and easiest drinking of the bunch. I could crush these all day long and never get tired of them.
All in all, I was seriously impressed by Happy Dad‘s flavors across the board. They taste clean, natural, and flavorful while still being light and easy drinking. There‘s none of that artificial twang or cloyingly sweetness you sometimes get with hard seltzers. Two big thumbs up!
How Happy Dad Compares to Other Seltzers
Now I know what you might be thinking – how does Happy Dad stack up against the big dawgs like White Claw, Truly, and Bud Light Seltzer? Well, having been around the hard seltzer block a few times, I can confidently say Happy Dad belongs in the top tier.
In terms of flavor, I actually prefer Happy Dad to most of the mainstream offerings. The fruit essences taste authentic and aren‘t overpowered by sweetness or carbonation. There‘s no chemical aftertaste or vague ‘citrusy‘ vibe – you get the real deal cherry, lemon lime, pineapple, and watermelon.
Nutritionally, Happy Dad is competitive with other leading "skinny" seltzers at 100 calories and 2g carbs per can. The 1g of sugar is actually less than some competitors like Truly (1-4g) and Vizzy (2-5g), but a smidge more than White Claw‘s 0g. So Happy Dad is just as guilt-free as the big brands.
The 5% ABV is standard and provides a pleasant buzz without knocking you out. And while most hard seltzers claim to use "natural flavors," Happy Dad goes a step further by specifically calling out "no artificial flavors" and being a gluten-free product.
Anecdotally, seltzer fans on Reddit and Instagram have been raving about Happy Dad‘s smooth, flavorful taste and "no bloat" drinkability compared to other popular brands. It seems to be hitting a sweet spot for people looking for a full-flavored seltzer that doesn‘t undo all their gym gains.
What Do Customers Think of Happy Dad Seltzer?
You don‘t have to just take my word for it – the verdict is in from the court of public opinion as well! Online reviews for Happy Dad have been glowing across the board. Here‘s a sampling of what customers are saying:
"This is hands down the best tasting seltzer out there right now. You can tell they put in the effort to make it top notch. It doesn‘t even compare to a White Claw or Truly." – Alex R. on Drizly
"Taste is amazing and it‘s so light that you don‘t even realize you‘re drinking alcohol. I was a die hard Truly fan but I think Happy Dad is my new go to!" – Jordan K. on Influenster
"By far the best seltzer I‘ve had. The flavors are unbelievable, it‘s super easy to drink, and there‘s no weird aftertaste like some other brands. Happy Dad is the real deal." – Brandon S. on Untappd
Out of over 850 ratings on Drizly, Happy Dad currently holds an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars. That‘s pretty much unheard of for a seltzer!
Now obviously you have to consider the NELK fan factor – a lot of these reviewers are probably diehard supporters who would love anything the boys put out. But even casual drinkers and seltzer snobs have been singing Happy Dad‘s praises.
Final Verdict: Should You Try Happy Dad Hard Seltzer?
Drumroll please…my official Happy Dad Hard Seltzer review verdict is an enthusiastic YES, you need to get your hands on some ASAP! This seltzer is an absolute slam dunk and lives up to every ounce of hype.
The flavors are top-notch, it drinks smooth, the branding is fun, and you‘ll be the talk of the party when you roll up with a pack. Whether you‘re a hard seltzer connoisseur or just looking for a tasty new summer sipper, Happy Dad absolutely deserves a place in your cooler.
Since launching less than a year ago, Happy Dad has already made a huge splash in the industry and become one of the most sought-after drinks in the country. Don‘t be surprised if you see it dominating store shelves and backyard bashes in the coming months.
To find Happy Dad near you, hit up their store locator and pray to the seltzer gods that it‘s in stock. If not, keep checking back because this brand is spreading like wildfire and conquering new territories every week.
Crack open a can and enjoy the sweet, sweet taste of an ice cold Happy Dad this summer. Your tastebuds will thank you and your insta feed will be popping off with those photogenic slim cans. Just remember to drink responsibly and not try to keep up with the NELK boys – they‘re professionals.
Cheers to living like a Happy Dad!
