Latest news with #WhiteClaw
6 days ago
- Business
Canned cocktail hitting you hard? As ready-to-drink cans grow in popularity, some are getting stronger
If you've ever put back a can of Cutwater, and only then realized how much booze is in it, TikTok would like to remind you that you're not alone. Consumers have been sharing their stories — and surprise — about how strong the canned cocktails are on social media. One can, I'm drunk, one Canadian user posted on TikTok (new window) . "Suddenly we have this one option at the liquor stores that just gets you wasted." Another user said (new window) the effects of one can felt like taking multiple shots. While they come in a standard, 355-millilitre can, some flavours of the drinks pack a far bigger punch than a standard beer, with an alcohol percentage of 12.5 per cent listed on the packaging. But Cutwater is far from the only brand making high alcohol-by-volume (or ABV) products — Dillon's (new window) and Founder's (new window) are among the brands also selling canned cocktails at 12.5 per cent, while Mike's Hard (new window) , White Claw (new window) , Twisted Tea (new window) and more all make higher alcohol versions of their original products. Enlarge image (new window) Ready-to-drink cans of premade cocktails of varying alcohol percentages sit on a shelf. Cans like these have grown in popularity in recent years, and so have the options — including higher alcohol percentage. Photo: CBC / Anis Heydari Ready-to-drink beverages (or RTDs) — pre-made cocktails, hard seltzers or anything else that comes ready to consume that isn't wine or beer — have seen a boom in recent years. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) says (new window) that ready-to-drink beverages are one of the fastest growing categories in recent years, with sales increasing by 9.5 per cent to $745.1 million total in 2024 alone. And Canada-wide, the ciders, coolers and ready-to-drink category together amassed about $2.29 billion in sales in 2023-24, according to Statistics Canada (new window) — more than double what it was in 2018-2019. Alongside that popularity, the market for higher alcohol percentage has also grown, according to industry experts. But with all the new varieties of RTDs available, consumers might not be accustomed to — or even aware — of the amount of booze they're getting. Demand for higher ABV Andrew Ferguson, owner of Kensington Wine Market in Calgary, says the demand for stronger drinks has led to the rise of boozier pre-made cocktails. People want things that are maybe twice as strong as your average RTD, and so that's why they're bottling them at 10 per cent or 11 per cent, Ferguson said. Now, whether [all] people are noticing that or not is a whole other matter. Enlarge image (new window) A variety of ready-to-drink cans sit lined up at Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. Despite having varying alcohol percentages, cans like these might be displayed side by side in stores, and consumers might not realize how much alcohol they're consuming. Photo: CBC / Rebecca Kelly Ferguson says he expects folks are used to most cans having five per cent alcohol. The average consumer is probably just assuming [all cans are] gonna be about the same, and so there won't be that much difference, Ferguson said. And even if they do see the number on the front, they might not fully know what that per cent means for them, says Marten Lodewijks, president for the North American wing of alcohol industry research group IWSR. Everyone knows seven is bigger than five, and 10 is bigger than seven. So mathematically that lands, Lodewijks said. But how strong is seven per cent? How strong is 10 per cent? How strong is five per cent? That's not something that is typically well understood by consumers. Marketing of cans is shifting — so read them carefully When it comes to higher alcohol percentage drinks, Lodewijks says there's a bang-for-your-buck factor — cans at a standard five per cent are often priced the same as those that are seven, 10 or even 13 per cent. So if I am feeling a bit financially constrained, then you're going to opt for that better value-for-money proposition. And we're definitely seeing a lot of skew in that direction, Lodewijks said. While high alcohol drinks have always existed, the marketing of them has shifted as the product category has grown, according to Lodewijks. Traditionally the high ABV products, they kind of often would make you look like an alcoholic. There'd be very large cans that had fairly aggressive names, and it was quite clear what the purpose of them was, Lodewijks said. But within the past few years, he says that's changed — while there's some outliers, high ABV products might look like any other can on the shelf, Lodewijks says. WATCH | Navigating Canada's new alcohol guidance: Markus Giesler, a marketing professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, agrees. The marketing and packaging of many high ABV drinks use words like water, he says, or imagery we'd associate with soft drinks — drinks that we might associate with quenching our thirst but not necessarily getting drunk. Beyond that, many brands now have a higher percentage version of their original drink — like White Claw, which makes a seven per cent version of their hard seltzers, while the original drink was only five per cent. Giesler says that difference might be hard to miss, especially if shoppers are in a rush, or picking up a few cans quickly on their way to a party. Because brands are changing their marketing so much in an effort to make their ready-to-drink product stand out, marketing professor Marvin Ryder says consumers can't rely on the idea that a single can is a way to measure how much you're drinking. The best antidote to an embarrassing night, he says, is to read the ABV labels on cans before you crack them. Don't get sucked in by pretty colours or pretty brand names, Ryder said. Read, be an educated consumer — understand what you're getting in each of these different products, and then have fun. Abby Hughes (new window) · CBC News · Journalist Abby Hughes does a little bit of everything at CBC News in Toronto. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. You can reach her at With files from Anis Heydari
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Oklahoma mum charged with murder after ‘drunken sleep' ends in newborn's death
A shocking tragedy has emerged from Oklahoma City where 33-year-old Brennan Spencer has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of her infant son, RK. The incident took place in 2024, but charges were formally filed just last week. Oklahoma mum charged with murder after tragic death of newborn According to an arrest affidavit, Spencer spent the night of November 1 drinking White Claws with her partner, James Kelson, at their home. The couple reportedly split a 12-pack before midnight. Kelson told police that after they drank, Spencer took their newborn twins—RK and LK—to bed with her while he turned in for the night. Police arrested a woman who they claim struck a mother and her two children during a fireworks display, killing a 3-year-old boy, and drove away, all without a valid Spencer later told investigators that Kelson had asked her to buy more alcohol, leading her to a nearby 7-Eleven. Surveillance footage confirmed she left the store at 1:27 a.m. with four "tall boy" cans of White Claw. But instead of returning to the bedroom, Spencer passed out on the living room couch with one of the twins in her arms. Infant found dead at her feet Kelson awoke at 6:45 a.m. to find Spencer and the babies missing. He found her on the living room couch, holding their daughter while their son lay lifeless at her feet. Paramedics arrived quickly but declared RK dead at the scene. The medical examiner later determined that the child died from 'asphyxia due to an unsafe sleep environment.' A child abuse specialist reported that Spencer's high level of intoxication likely contributed to the death and that if RK had been placed in a bassinet, he would likely still be alive. 'Probably really drunk,' she told police During a police interview, Spencer admitted she had been 'probably really drunk' and said she had passed out shortly after returning home. Officers discovered 15 empty alcohol cans in the home, including the four she had purchased hours before RK's death. Despite the gravity of the charges, Spencer's partner Kelson continues to support her and recently took to Facebook to request legal assistance, calling the situation a tragic accident. Spencer remains behind bars on a $500,000 bond and is due in court for a preliminary hearing on August 5.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Oklahoma mum charged with murder after ‘drunken sleep' ends in newborn's death, charges follow
A shocking tragedy has emerged from Oklahoma City where 33-year-old Brennan Spencer has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of her infant son, RK. The incident took place in 2024, but charges were formally filed just last week. Oklahoma mum charged with murder after tragic death of newborn According to an arrest affidavit, Spencer spent the night of November 1 drinking White Claws with her partner, James Kelson, at their home. The couple reportedly split a 12-pack before midnight. Kelson told police that after they drank, Spencer took their newborn twins—RK and LK—to bed with her while he turned in for the night. Police arrested a woman who they claim struck a mother and her two children during a fireworks display, killing a 3-year-old boy, and drove away, all without a valid Spencer later told investigators that Kelson had asked her to buy more alcohol, leading her to a nearby 7-Eleven. Surveillance footage confirmed she left the store at 1:27 a.m. with four "tall boy" cans of White Claw. But instead of returning to the bedroom, Spencer passed out on the living room couch with one of the twins in her arms. Infant found dead at her feet Kelson awoke at 6:45 a.m. to find Spencer and the babies missing. He found her on the living room couch, holding their daughter while their son lay lifeless at her feet. Paramedics arrived quickly but declared RK dead at the scene. The medical examiner later determined that the child died from 'asphyxia due to an unsafe sleep environment.' A child abuse specialist reported that Spencer's high level of intoxication likely contributed to the death and that if RK had been placed in a bassinet, he would likely still be alive. 'Probably really drunk,' she told police During a police interview, Spencer admitted she had been 'probably really drunk' and said she had passed out shortly after returning home. Officers discovered 15 empty alcohol cans in the home, including the four she had purchased hours before RK's death. Despite the gravity of the charges, Spencer's partner Kelson continues to support her and recently took to Facebook to request legal assistance, calling the situation a tragic accident. Spencer remains behind bars on a $500,000 bond and is due in court for a preliminary hearing on August 5.
International Business Times
10-07-2025
- International Business Times
Oklahoma City Mother Charged with Murder After Falling Asleep with Newborn Twins While 'Drunk,' Killing Son
The mother of an infant boy who was found unresponsive at an Oklahoma City home is now being charged over the child's death. Brennan Spencer, 33, was arrested by officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department last week and charged with second-degree murder following the 2024 death of her son. Spencer Fell Asleep After Drinking White Claw Alcoholic Seltzers According to a copy of the arrest affidavit, Spencer fell asleep with her newborn twins — identified as RK and LK — after a night of drinking. The affidavit noted that Spencer woke up a few hours later with LK in her arms, and RK dead at her feet. Spencer and the father of the twins, James Kelson, both spoke with police when they arrived at the home on Nov. 2. Kelson told the responding officers that he and Spencer had spent the night splitting a 12-pack of White Claw alcoholic seltzers before he went to bed shortly after midnight. Spencer and the twins went to bed at the same time, said Kelson, who told the officers that the newborns were "laid in the bassinets at the foot of their bed." At 6:45 a.m., Kelson awoke to find that Spencer and the children were no longer in the bedroom, according to the affidavit. He told officers that he went to the living room to check on them, at which time he found Spencer laying on the couch holding their daughter while their son lay unresponsive at her feet. Spencer told police that Kelson had directed her to get them more White Claw around midnight, at which point she went to a nearby 7-Eleven but passed out on the couch upon arriving home. Then, after being read her Miranda rights, Spencer allegedly told police she had been "probably really drunk" when she went to sleep. "I mean, I was drunk enough to just need to pass out," she allegedly told officers. Bermel wrote in the affidavit that he obtained video from the store, which showed Spencer arriving at 1:23 a.m. and leaving four minutes later with four "tall boy" cans of White Claw. Medical Examiner Confirmed Cause of Child's Death as 'Asphyxia Due to an Unsafe Sleep Environment' The medical examiner later determined RK's probable cause of death to be "asphyxia due to an unsafe sleep environment," according to the affidavit. The affidavit also includes the findings of Deputy Chief Child Abuse Examiner Ryan Brown, who said in a maltreatment report that RK "was a victim of neglect" due to Spencer's "level of intoxication" and her altered "awareness levels." He also said that there would have been a lower risk of being in an unsafe sleep environment and a higher probability of RK still being alive if he had been left in the bassinet that night, according to the affidavit. Spencer — who has yet to enter a plea — remains in custody after her bail was set at $500,000. She will be in court on Aug. 5 for a preliminary hearing.
Indianapolis Star
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
'The Chit Show,' a new social media sketch comedy, has fans in stitches
Millions of social media users probably can't stop repeating the quirky catchphrase: "Do it lady!" A new TikTok sketch comedy, known as "The Chit Show," has gone viral since launching in May. The series of short social media videos follows Chit, a slightly awkward and slightly hunched office worker who sports a mean bowl cut and Jeffrey Dahmer-style glasses. As of July 3, "The Chit Show" had garnered more than 1 million followers on TikTok and now has its own merchandise line. The series seemingly gained popularity for its likeness to the sitcom, "The Office," due to its quick camera turns and characters who break the fourth wall to make prolonged eye contact with the viewer. The man behind Chit, Jay Renshaw, created the middle-aged character about six years ago. Renshaw is a member of The Groundlings Main Company, an improv school and talent group based in Los Angeles. He created Chit for a solo skit performance while part of "The Groundlings" amateur sketch comedy show. The initial skit Renshaw performed as Chit was the now-viral, "Do it lady!" In the skit, Chit and his coworkers are signing a birthday card for a coworker, in which Chit writes: "Do it lady!" His colleagues are confused by the sentiment. As his peers wonder what he means, Chit tries his best to convince everyone that "Do it lady!" is a real catchphrase. As of July 3, the "Do it lady!" TikTok video had more than 8.6 million views. Chit is the main character of "The Chit Show." A middle-aged man with a silly and awkward personality, Chit doesn't appear to get much work done, as seen in many of the TikTok videos. But he cares about his colleagues, loves listening to Lil Wayne and Chappell Roan and can down a White Claw (of course, while on the clock). As for the name, Renshaw said "Chit" is a play on words. "It sounds like a small, ineffectual thing. Also, it has like a rhyme ... which has been so helpful to us to have Chit Show sound like (expletive) show," Renshaw told USA TODAY. "It just sounds something diminutive. The actual word means a little pay stub receipt, so it just fits his nature. It feels like also the relation of chitchat. There's so many possibilities." Renshaw and his colleague, Kiel Kennedy, who mans the camera and is an off-screen character in the sketch comedy, posted the first Chit video to TikTok on May 28. The video, as of July 3, had more than 6.3 million views. Currently, Renshaw and Kennedy film videos about twice a week, posting a new video every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Renshaw, who is the main writer of the show, said sometimes he pre-writes scripts verbatim as he wants to see them executed. Sometimes he comes in with a loose framework, and then other times, he and Kennedy just work out an entire idea together while filming. "The thing about social media is you get such a real-time response from your audience as to what they're really responding to and maybe what they're not," Renshaw said. "It's not to say we would ever deviate so far from what we intend for the series, but it can be helpful sometimes to know how to adjust the dial on certain characters based on the audience response." Social media users are loving Chit, especially his antics. "Someone get them on TV or a streaming service (please)," one TikTok user commented. Renshaw, who said he was off all social media from 2016 until launching the Chit series in May, said the outpouring of support online has been a bit like "whiplash." "I remember the first night I posted on TikTok, you were like, 'Yeah, I bet we could get to 50,000 in a month,'" Renshaw said to Kennedy. "I was like no way. That just seemed unfathomable. Fast forward to a million in a month. I still can't really wrap my head around it honestly." But beyond the follower count, Renshaw said it is the community that has come together around Chit that makes him proud. "I think equally delightful is seeing just how many audiences Chit has reached and touched," Renshaw said. "Just when I think (Chit) sort of extended his reach as far as it'll go, I find out there's a whole different demographic that is also loving Chit just as much. It's been this strangely universal thing, which (has), I think, been maybe the most rewarding part of it." When asked about the future of "The Chit Show," Renshaw and Kennedy both said they are open to taking the comedy series wherever it leads. But most importantly, they want to stay true to Chit. "I think ultimately the goal is just to maintain the integrity of what we've created and protect the character because he's so beloved, not only by us, but by so many people now that we don't want to get involved in a process that would disrupt what we've made," Renshaw said. "We're definitely staying vigilant about not only potential opportunity for the show but also protecting what it is and the unique charm that it does have."
