mike's hard lemonade Invites Consumers to 'Come Out Back' with New 'Flavors of America' Variety Pack

Flavor leader taps Graham Elliot and other celebrity chefs to reinvent the backyard grilling experience with inspiration from across the nation

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Mike's Hard Lemonade Co.

Jun 02, 2015, 08:00 ET

CHICAGO, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, flavor leader mike's hard lemonade invites consumers to "come out back" and enjoy the best moments of summer with its new Flavors of America variety pack, a portable fridge pack of cans designed to slide easily onto the shelf for compact refrigeration, as well as convenient transportation from the backyard to the beach or wherever summer may take you.

The variety pack features four incredibly refreshing flavors – Lemonade, Peach, Black Cherry and Apple – that are iconic to the different regions of the country, like peach juice from Georgia. And to help bring these flavors to life, mike's has partnered with a team of acclaimed chefs, including nationally renowned Graham Elliot, to reinvent backyard fare with the flavors of mike's hard lemonade.

"Like mike's, my food is known for being fun and a bit unconventional. So teaming up with the brand to create delicious, unique flavor pairings was a no-brainer," said Elliot. "I love the unexpected burst of flavor of mike's hard lemonade paired with my reinvented American classics."

From the classic burger and grilled chicken to corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake, Elliot and mike's hard lemonade introduce four barbecue must-haves for backyard flavor and fun:

GrahamBurger paired with mike's hard lemonade – With mike's hard lemonade, the classic burger becomes the GrahamBurger and a one-two punch to the palate. The effervescence and acidity of the lemon complements the Brie cheese and rich meaty flavor of Graham's signature burger.
Grilled Chicken with Watermelon-Olive Salsa paired with mike's hard smashed apple ale – Boring grilled chicken comes alive with a watermelon-olive salsa and a mike's hard apple ale. The smoky char of the grilled chicken complements the refreshing burst of watermelon and the saltiness of the salsa.
Grit Cakes with Grilled Corn paired with mike's hard peach lemonade – Corn on the cob and a deliciously juicy peach are southern traditions that go back as far as one can remember, and are transformed in artisan grit cakes that are delicious alongside a mike's hard peach lemonade. The crisp, sweet taste of mike's hard peach lemonade cuts through the starchiness of the grits, resulting in a refreshing cleanse to the palate.
Summer Peach Cake paired with mike's hard black cherry lemonade – A new take on strawberry shortcake, this summer peach cake is the perfect encore to a summertime BBQ. Pair with mike's black cherry lemonade for a sweet burst of intense seasonal flavor from the combination of juicy peaches and tart cherries.

Additionally, as part of a program with Tasting Table, an online network for culinary enthusiasts, four other acclaimed chefs were enlisted to create a unique new dish that pairs well with different mike's flavors:

Korean Fried Chicken, Jose Mendin of Miami – Classic fried chicken is taken to the next level with the addition of gochujang, a spicy Korean chile paste, and pairs perfectly with the natural flavor of lemon for a refreshing break between bites.
Fried Strawberry-Filled Hand Pie, Zach Meloy of Atlanta – This flaky pie puts fresh summer berries to use with a hand-made strawberry filling that pairs deliciously with the taste of sweet peaches.
Barbecued Chicken and Cherry Bruschetta, Brent Foster of Detroit – A blend of sweet and heat, this BBQ twist to the classic Michigan cherry salad perfectly complements the tart flavor of black cherries.
Pork Burger, Josh Capon of New York City – Pair this super-rich, savory burger with the crisp taste of bittersweet apples for a spin on the traditional pork and apple combination.

mike's new Flavors of America variety pack hits shelves with an integrated marketing program that brings the backyard to life through a series of experiential events, a media campaign with placements in entertainment-focused outlets like Spotify and Rolling Stone to reach people who are relaxing in their backyards and digital advertising, including content debuting throughout June that features Graham Elliot treating Chicagoans to the ultimate backyard experience through impromptu pop-up backyard happy hours in an elevator and on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

"mike's knows the best moments of summer happen in the backyard," said Sanjiv Gajiwala, vice president of marketing, Mike's Hard Lemonade Co. "Not only is the backyard where mike's was invented, but it's also where we kick back with our friends, play catch with our kids and perfect our skills on the grill. When mike's invites you to 'come out back' this summer, we're simply asking you to embrace those backyard moments no matter where they strike."

mike's is taking the backyard on the road this summer with country star Frankie Ballard. At 25 shows across the country, fans will be invited to kick back in mike's backyard; at five select shows, select fans will be treated to an exclusive live performance and will have the opportunity to hang out with Frankie Ballard.

The Flavors of America variety pack, available now, is sold at grocery and convenience stores nationwide for a price of $14.99.

For more from mike's, visit facebook.com/mikeshardlemonade or mikeshard.com

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT…DON'T DRINK UNTIL YOU ARE 21.^© ©Mike's Hard Lemonade Co., Chicago, IL. www.mikeshard.com

Contact Information:
Laura Schlageter
MSLGROUP
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312.861.5264

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SOURCE Mike's Hard Lemonade Co.