Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co. is a United States-based manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, also known as “malternative” or flavored malt beverages. It is named after its flagship and original product, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, which is a mixture of vodka, and either carbonated water or a flavored malt base, in Canada and the United States, respectively.

The company was founded in 1999 by Anthony von Mandl. The company’s U.S. headquarters moved from Lakewood, Colorado (Denver) to Seattle in 2005. One reason for the move was to be closer to its parent company Mark Anthony Group Inc. of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, a privately-owned manufacturer and distributor of wines, hard ciders and other alcoholic beverages.

LinkedIn Profile: Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co.

Mike’s Calorie Facts:

• There are 222 calories in the Mike’s Hard Lemonade
• Mike’s contains 5 percent alcohol by volume
• Go with their Light Lemonade instead and save about 124 calories
• The HARDER Lemonade contains more calories and is 8% alcohol
• Mike’s Hard Lemonade is categorized as a Malt Beverage
• A bottle of Mike’s contains 11.2 ounces which is about 331 milliliters

Mike’s Summer 2009 Sweepstakes. Win an Airstream Trailer. To win enter here before September 1, 2009. And check out winmikes.com for other great Mike’s Lemonade Sweepstakes.

I don't care about the calories - I'm thirsty!

The Mike’s Product Lines

Mike’s® Premium Malt Beverages

• Mike’s Hard Lemonade
• Mike’s Light Hard Lemonade
• Mike’s Hard Cranberry Lemonade
• Mike’s Light Hard Cranberry Lemonade
• Mike’s Hard Raspberry Lemonade
• Mike’s Hard Lime
• Mike’s Hard Berry
• Mike’s Pomegranate Lemonade

Mike’s Hard Punch™

• Mike’s Hard Mango Punch
• Mike’s Hard Pomegranate Punch

Mike’s Harder Lemonade™

• Mike’s HARDER Lemonade
• Mike’s HARDER Cranberry Lemonade

Mike’s Premium Malt Cocktails®

• Mike’s Mike-arita
• Mike’s Crantini
• Mike’s Pomegranate Martini
• Mike’s Lemon Drop
• Mike’s Screwdriver
• Mike’s Mojito

Mike’s Hard Tea®

• Mike’s Hard Tea
• Mike’s Hard Light Tea

Goats are indifferent but you won't be!

Home Brew Recipes

If you are searching around the Internet, you will find lots of discussion in the home brewing community as to how to recreate Mike’s Hard Lemonade. One such recipe can be found on the Home Brew Digest web site.

Mike’s Videos

Mike’s Movie:

Think it’s hard to cut calories in your diet? Try starting a company with a great product only to battle the monetary might of big corporations.

Beer Wars, a new documentary by former Mike’s Hard Lemonade general manager Anat Baron. The film recounts the struggle of independent American craft brewers to compete with the ever-consolidating conglomerates of the industry, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Miller Coors.

Mike’s in the News

Toronto Star http://www.thestar.com/living/article/665488 For the summer of 2009, Mike’s is donating a percentage of profits on the sale  of their red berry lemonade to the Canadian Breast Cancer Network.

Lewiston, Maine Sun Journal http://www.sunjournal.com/node/38115/ Obviously the guy in Lewiston who robbed the Big Apple convenience store of Mike’s Hard Lemonade and other goods is unfamiliar with Mike’s well-known slogan, “Mike’s is hard. So is prison.”

Mike’s in Perspective

Bestweekever.tv http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008-6-4/who-exactly-is-mikes-hard-lemonade-trying-to-convince-with-these-super-manly-commercials/ This blog post ponders what their advertising is up to – are they fighting the idea that drinking fruity non-beer alcoholic beverages is somehow not manly?

Rateitall.com http://www.rateitall.com/i-28769-mikes-hard-lemonade.aspx When we looked, 20 people had chimed in with their opinions on Mike’s Hard Lemonade and most love it. Biased results? Who knows. Interesting: no mention of calories here.

ExpoTV.com http://www.expotv.com/Mikes-Hard-Lemonade/1U-1cGF Four video testimonials for Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

From Mike’s Hard Lemonade Press Releases..

New 1 carb/only 76 calorie Mike’s Light(TM) available nationwide for Victoria Day long weekend.

Great-tasting single carb beverage targets light beer, diet soft drink market in battle for backyard barbeques

TORONTO, May 19 /CNW/ – Canadians concerned about their carbohydrate and calorie intake have a great-tasting new beverage choice with the launch of Mike’s Light(TM), an innovative single carb, lower calorie vodka-based drink from the relentless R&D team at Mike’s Hard Lemonade(R).

The first of its kind anywhere in the world, Mike’s Light(TM) contains only one gram of carbohydrates and just 76 calories – the result of two years of intensive research and development. The result: a crisp, refreshing lemon- lime beverage with less sweetness and acidity than other ready-to-drink (RTD) products.

“Mike’s Light(TM) is the great-tasting result of mixing low-carb/low cal drinking with innovative thinking,” says Anthony von Mandl, creator of Mike’s hard lemonade and chairman and chief executive officer of Mark Anthony Group, Canada’s largest private distributor of alcoholic beverages. “Mike’s Light(TM) is for people watching their carbs and calories – but refuse to compromise on taste. Whether they’re hosting parties, or just rewarding themselves after a hard day, Canadians will have an entirely new choice.”

For Mike, it’s like 1996 all over again In 1996 Mike’s hard lemonade created the RTD category in Canada and started an international phenomenon, appealing to legions of beer drinkers with its trademark vodka-lemon taste and smart personality.

For the alcoholic beverages industry, this was an unexpected move from a little known Canadian company. Today, Mike’s hard lemonade, with a new, more drinkable formula that is less sweet and has a drier finish, is a leading ready-to-drink beverage in the domestic market and is the number 2 “malternative” in the USA, outselling Molson south of the border.

Like the original Mike’s hard lemonade(R), Mike’s Light(TM) is likely to inspire a whole generation of beer drinkers to ditch the brew and try something new. With nearly 14 million Canadians counting carbs to lose weight(1), Mike’s Light(TM) also hopes to quench the thirst of the vast market of Canadians who are looking for a great-tasting, low-carb/lower calorie alternative to the ordinary – this summer and all year round.

Today, Canadians compare carbs, calories & taste. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians drink more than 381 million cans of diet soda annually. With 48 per cent of the Canadian population overweight(2), food and beverage manufacturers are stepping up to the increased demand for healthy, lower carb products. Since 2001 more than 800 low carb products have been launched in North America(3).

“Canadians will compare the carbs, compare the calories and – most of all – compare the taste,” says von Mandl. “Canadians are looking for great tasting low carb and lower calorie alternatives to diet soft drinks and beer. If we can even draw a fraction of this market to Mike’s Light(TM) – the RTD category in Canada is destined for new success.” In 2003, Canadians drank 210 million bottles of RTD beverages, generating more than $450 million in sales.

By early accounts, Mike might just do it. Early orders for Mike’s Light(TM) have surpassed the company’s expectations in all markets nationwide. “The entire Mike’s team has been working overtime to make sure store shelves and bar fridges are stocked with Mike’s Light(TM) for Canada’s unofficial first long weekend of summer,” von Mandl adds.

About Mike’s Hard Lemonade(R): Created and produced by Vancouver-based Mark Anthony Group, Mike’s Hard Lemonade(R) is a leading ready-to-drink beverage with distribution in Canada and the United States. Mark Anthony Group is Canada’s largest private distributor of alcoholic beverages.
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(1) Canadian Diet Study 2004, Decima Research

(2) Canadian Community Health Survey, Statistics Canada 2000-2001

(3) Low Carb Foods Article, Agriculture & Agrifood Government of Alberta 2003

With obesity rates soaring, food costs climbing, and family food budgets shrinking, this easy-to-use guide is hitting stores just in time to put shoppers back in control of their health, their wallets, and their waistlines. Available nationwide in stores today, this groundbreaking book reveals hundreds of easy food swaps that can save readers thousands of unwanted calories – without dieting!

What many Americans don’t know is that food marketers have altered the reality of the weekly trip to the supermarket, making it impossible for shoppers to truly see where the battle lines fall in the fight against fat. The food industry spends $30 billion a year on advertising–nearly half of it pitching convenience foods, candy, soda and dessert. Now more than ever, Americans need help deciphering misleading food labels and dubious health claims, as the food we consume today is considerably different from the food that we ate 20 or 30 years ago. And the reasons are as simple as they are sneaky:

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– We’ve been trained to supersize it. The problem is the way we look at food–we should be looking at cutting down calories, not adding them.
– Our fruits and vegetables aren’t as healthy as they once were. Six out of 13 nutrients showed major declines between 1950 and 1999: protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin and Vitamin C.
– We’re drinking more calories than ever. We consume 450 calories a day from beverage, nearly twice as many as 30 years ago, which amount to an extra 23 pounds a year!
– We don’t know what’s in our food. There are now more than 3,000 ingredients on the FDA’s list of “safe food” additives, and any one of them could end up on your plate.

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Investigative and compelling, EAT THIS NOT THAT! SUPERMARKET SURVIVAL GUIDE will show readers how to avoid nutritional pitfalls lurking in every aisle while helping them lose weight, save cash, and make the right food choices every time.

DAVID ZINCZENKO, SVP/Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health magazine, is the author of New York Times bestsellers The Abs Diet and The Abs Diet for Women. Once an overweight child, Zinczenko has become one of the nation’s leading experts on health and fitness. He is a regular contributor to the Today show and has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, Primetime Live, 20/20, The Rachael Ray Show, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

MATT GOULDING is the food and nutrition editor of Men’s Health. He has cooked and eaten his way around the world, touching down in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he divides most of his time between keyboard and stovetop.

In spite of that, the Calorie Control Council predicts some health trends for 2009:

1. Budgeting calories: Many consumers understand that calories still count. According to a survey, 194 million Americans reported consuming low and reduced calorie products in 2007, an increase from 180 million in 2004.

2. More functional foods: Consumer awareness of the relationship between diet and health has increased the demand for functional foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition – fortified juices and cereals, for example.

3. Online diet help: Studies show that recording food and beverage intake can double a person’s weight loss. More people will benefit by keeping an electronic record of what they consume.

4. Functional fitness: Forget paying for weights or a gym membership. Think instead of lifting a stroller or bench-pressing luggage. Functional fitness is geared to getting the most exercise from daily activities such as climbing stairs and carrying grocery bags.

5. Natural nutrition: Consumers will prefer foods they perceive as natural or products with natural claims such as stevia (a no-calorie herbal sweetener). Consumers will be looking for more choices.

Source: Calorie Control Council

“Even though many families will be shopping on a budget in the new year, nutrition doesn’t necessarily have to come in second place to price,” said Robert Murray, MD, director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Parents need to look at what they’re paying for and determine if there are less costly ways to achieve the same nutritional benefits.”

According to Dr. Murray, also a faculty member at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, there are five food fads to be aware of in 2009 so that parents can make smart food – and money – choices.

The fresh versus frozen debate
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, don’t assume fresh is best. Buying food in bulk, either frozen or canned, can save a lot of money. In recent years, preservation and freezing methods have dramatically improved, thus preserving the nutritional quality of the frozen fruits and vegetables. Regardless of how they are consumed – frozen or otherwise – fruits and vegetables provide many nutritional benefits.

Dr. Murray suggests taking advantage of grocery store sales and stocking up on frozen goods. Parents can also consider freezing their own fruits and vegetables when they are in-season and plentiful.

What’s “organic” worth?
When a food item is certified organic, it refers to the methods used to grow or produce the food. Contrary to the beliefs of many, organic foods offer no additional nutritional benefit compared to their non-organic counterparts, but do cost more.

“Concerns about hormones, antibiotics or pesticides have driven many to choose organic foods,” explained Dr. Murray. “But don’t be fooled into thinking that because something is labeled organic that it is any healthier.”

Designer fruits and vegetables
In recent years, exotic and often heavily-marketed fruits, like pomegranate and açai berries, have become increasingly popular. While these fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they also come with a hefty price tag.

“These fruits do have many health benefits, but many of the same benefits can be found in other more common fruits for a much cheaper price,” said Dr. Murray.

Instead of paying high prices for these fad foods, Dr. Murray recommends other dark, ruby-skinned fruits like blueberries, plums or blackberries that are easier on the wallet.

Fortified beverages
Be careful of drinks that are fortified with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Not only do they cost more, they often have more calories than you think. Some pack as many calories as a regular soda, and from a nutrition standpoint, it makes more sense to eat foods that are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals.

Sports drinks, rich in electrolytes, may be a good choice for serious athletes who participate in intense physical activity for extended periods of time, but for most children and adults, these drinks are also unnecessary.

Paying for prepackaged
Prepackaged, grab-and-go options offer convenience and portion control but can cost more. For some busy families, the time saved by purchasing these items, especially prepackaged fruits and vegetables, may be worth the additional expense. This is particularly true if the convenience of these items encourages families to make more nutritious choices.

For families looking for a cheaper option, Dr. Murray suggests purchasing bulk items and individually packaging them at home for an easy, on-the-go grab. Plan snacks ahead of time and be sure to combine food groups to maximize nutritional value. For example, combine whole grain crackers and low-fat cheese in plastic storage bags; or peel and cut carrots into snack-sized pieces and place in containers with a couple tablespoons of peanut butter. Be sure to pay attention to portion size in order to avoid serving up too much of a good thing.

• Brewed Coffee – 5 calories, 0 g fat
• Brewed Tazo® Tea – 0 calories, 0 g fat
• Nonfat Tazo® Green Tea Latte – 130 calories, 0 g fat
• Nonfat Cappuccino – 80 calories, 0 g fat
• Nonfat Caffè Latte – 120 calories, 0 g fat
• Nonfat Caramel Macchiato – 170 calories, 1 g fat
• Soy Tazo® Chai Tea Latte – 190 calories, 2.5 g fat
• Nonfat Caffè Mocha – hold the whip – 170 calories, 1.5 g fat
• Nonfat Sugar-free Vanilla Latte – 120 calories, 0 g fat
• Steamed Apple Cider – 180 calories, 0 g fat
• Nonfat Vanilla Crème – 180 calories, 0 g fat
• Caffè Americano – 10 calories, 0 g fat

Cold Beverages

• Coffee Frappuccino® Light Blended Coffee – 110 calories, 1 g fat
• Caramel Frappuccino® Light Blended Coffee – 140 calories, 1.5 g fat
• Coffee Frappuccino® Blended Coffee – 190 calories, 2.5 g fat
• Shaken Tazo® Iced Passion® Tea – 60 calories, 0 g fat
• Shaken Tazo® Iced Black Tea Lemonade – 90 calories, 0 g fat
• Nonfat Iced Vanilla Latte – 120 calories, 0 g fat
• Nonfat Iced Caramel Macchiato – 140 calories, 1 g fat
• Nonfat Iced Tazo® Chai Tea Latte – 170 calories, 0 g fat
• Iced Coffee (with Classic Syrup) – 60 calories, 0 g fat