White Claw Hard Seltzer is a popular alcoholic seltzer water brand that comes in a variety of flavors. One common question people have about White Claw is what size the cans are. Specifically, people want to know if White Claws come in 12 oz cans or 16 oz cans.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that standard White Claw hard seltzer cans are 12 oz, the same as a standard beer can or bottle. However, White Claw also offers larger 16 oz cans of select flavors in variety packs and standalone packs.
Standard White Claw Cans Are 12 oz
The standard sized White Claw hard seltzer cans that you will find in most 6-packs or 12-packs are 12 oz cans. This is the same size as most standard beer bottles or cans. So one White Claw can contains the same amount of liquid as one beer bottle or can.
Here are some key points about the standard 12 oz White Claw cans:
- Contain 12 fluid ounces of hard seltzer
- Same size as standard beer bottles/cans
- Come in a variety of flavors in 6-packs and 12-packs
- Most commonly purchased White Claw package size
- Perfect size for one serving of hard seltzer
So if you pick up a 6-pack or 12-pack of White Claw from the store, you can expect each can in the pack to be 12 oz. This standard size makes it easy to keep track of your servings if you are tracking your alcohol consumption.
16 oz White Claw Cans Available in Variety Packs
While 12 oz is the standard White Claw can size, some packages also contain 16 oz cans. Specifically, you can find 16 oz cans of certain flavors in the White Claw “Flavor Collection” variety packs.
These variety packs contain 12 cans total, with 3 cans of 4 different flavors. Two of the flavors are the standard 12 oz cans. But the other two flavors are 16 oz cans, containing a third more hard seltzer than the 12 oz cans.
For example, one popular White Claw variety pack includes:
- 3 x 12 oz cans of Raspberry
- 3 x 12 oz cans of Mango
- 3 x 16 oz cans of Black Cherry
- 3 x 16 oz cans of Natural Lime
So in this case, you get two flavors in the larger 16 oz cans, which hold about 33% more hard seltzer volume than the 12 oz cans. This allows you to enjoy more of the Black Cherry and Natural Lime flavors compared to the other flavors.
The 16 oz White Claw cans give you the option to enjoy a larger serving, or to make it last longer by pacing yourself. Just note that the larger cans also contain more alcohol than the 12 oz cans.
Buying 16 oz White Claw Cans Separately
In addition to being available in variety packs, some White Claw flavors are also sold separately in 16 oz cans. For example, you may find 16 oz 6-pack or 12-packs of:
- White Claw Black Cherry
- White Claw Natural Lime
- White Claw Mango
So if you have a favorite White Claw flavor, you may be able to find it in the larger 16 oz cans rather than just the 12 oz size. This allows you to stock up on more of that flavor in each package.
Comparing 12 oz and 16 oz White Claw Cans
To summarize the key differences:
| Can Size | 12 oz | 16 oz |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of Seltzer | 12 fluid ounces | 16 fluid ounces |
| Packaging Format | 6-packs, 12-packs, variety packs | Some variety packs, select standalone 6/12-packs |
| Servings per Can | 1 | 1.3 |
As you can see, the key difference between the two sizes is the amount of liquid in each can. You get 33% more White Claw seltzer in the 16 oz cans compared to the standard 12 oz size.
Checking the Can Size When Purchasing
When you are purchasing White Claw, here are some tips for checking the can size:
- Look at the ounces printed on the bottom half of the can – 12 oz vs 16 oz
- Look for the “big cans” callout on 16 oz variety packs
- Note the number of cans – 12 oz packs have 12 cans, 16 oz packs have 8 or 10
- Pick up the package to feel the weight difference between 12 and 16 oz
- Read the label closely for “12 oz cans” or “16 oz cans”
The size in ounces is usually printed in small type on the bottom half of each can. So turning over a can or two is the easiest way to quickly check if you are getting 12 oz or 16 oz cans.
For packs that include a mix of sizes, the packaging will also indicate which flavors are the “big cans.” So keep an eye out for that language on the variety packs.
Why White Claw Offers 16 oz Cans
Why does White Claw offer the larger 16 oz can size when 12 oz is the industry standard? There are a few potential reasons:
- Consumer demand – Some consumers expressed interest in having a larger can size option.
- Differentiate from competitors – Most other hard seltzer brands stick to 12 oz, so 16 oz helps White Claw stand apart.
- Higher volume packages – The 16 oz packs contain more fluid ounces of hard seltzer overall.
- Premium positioning – The larger size plays into White Claw’s premium brand image.
While hard seltzers traditionally follow beer can sizes, White Claw saw an opportunity to offer something new with the 16 oz size. This allows them to meet consumer requests, differentiate from competitors, and reinforce their positioning as a premium spiked seltzer brand.
White Claw 16 oz Can Flavors
While White Claw has over a dozen different flavors, not all flavors are available in 16 oz cans. Based on what is currently on the market, here are the White Claw flavors that come in 16 oz cans:
- Black Cherry
- Natural Lime
- Mango
- Watermelon
- Tangerine
You can find these flavors above in 16 oz cans either in variety packs, or in some regions as standalone 6-packs or 12-packs of a single flavor. The Black Cherry and Natural Lime flavors are most commonly available in 16 oz sizes.
So if you have a hankering for Watermelon or Tangerine White Claw in a bigger can size, look for them in the special limited edition “Flavor Collection” variety packs.
White Claw 12 oz vs 16 oz Sizes – Which is Better?
When it comes to White Claw 12 oz cans versus 16 oz cans, which size is better? Here are the pros and cons of each:
White Claw 12 oz Cans
Pros:
- Industry standard can size
- Readily available in 6-packs, 12-packs, variety packs
- Perfect single serving size
- More portable and packable
Cons:
- Less volume per can
- Have to buy more cans to stock up
White Claw 16 oz Cans
Pros:
- 33% more volume per can
- Allows for larger single serving
- More economical – need to buy fewer cans
Cons:
- Not as portable due to larger size
- Only select flavors available
- Have to buy variety packs to get them
In general, the 12 oz size is preferable if you want to stick to a single serving, take them on the go more easily, or stock up on a wider variety of flavors. But the 16 oz cans are great for bigger serving sizes or maximizing the amount of seltzer in fewer cans.
Are the Larger Cans More Expensive?
You might assume the bigger 16 oz White Claw cans come at a higher price point than the 12 oz cans. But in most cases, the per ounce price ends up being very similar between the two sizes.
Here are some typical examples of pricing:
- 12-pack of 12 oz cans: $15.99 ($0.13 per ounce)
- 8-pack of 16 oz cans: $14.99 ($0.14 per ounce)
- 12-pack variety (8 12oz, 4 16oz): $18.99 ($0.13 per ounce average)
As you can see, whether you are paying per can or per ounce, the price difference between 12 oz and 16 oz cans is negligible in most cases. So opting for the larger cans can actually be more economical since you get more volume for roughly the same price.
One exception is that specialty flavors only available in variety packs may come at a slight premium. But for core flavors available as 12-packs of 16 oz cans, the per ounce pricing is very similar to the 12 oz packs.
Calories and Alcohol Content
With the larger volume in the 16 oz cans, you may be wondering whether they contain more calories and alcohol than the 12 oz cans.
Here is a comparison of the key stats:
| 12 oz Can | 16 oz Can | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 100 | 133 |
| Carbs | 2g | 3g |
| Alcohol Content | 5% ABV | 5% ABV |
The calories and carbs increase slightly in the 16 oz cans proportional to the larger size. But importantly, the alcohol content remains 5% ABV for both sizes. So the standard strength of White Claw is the same whether you drink a 12 oz or 16 oz can.
Do They Taste Different?
A common question is whether the 12 oz and 16 oz cans actually taste any different from each other.
The good news is that White Claw ensures the flavor profiles and mix ratios are consistent across can sizes. So a 16 oz can should taste nearly identical to drinking two 12 oz cans of that same flavor.
A few differences you may notice between the sizes:
- The 12 oz size may taste slightly more carbonated when drinking it all at once vs pacing out a 16 oz can.
- The 16 oz size stays colder a bit longer since there is more liquid.
- Acidity and flavors can become more pronounced towards the end of a 16 oz can once ice melts.
But in general, the recipe of flavors, sweetness, bubbles and alcohol content remain consistent whether you opt for 12 oz or 16 oz cans of White Claw.
Conclusion
So in summary, standard White Claw cans are 12 fluid ounces, the same as most beer bottles and cans. But keep an eye out for special 16 oz cans in variety packs and standalone flavors, which contain 33% more hard seltzer. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference – the 12 oz cans are more portable and standard, while the 16 oz option allows you to enjoy more volume per can. So try out both sizes to see which one suits your drinking habits best!