Bev Wine Review: The Millennial Female-Founded Brand Shaking Up the Wine Industry
Hey there, wine lover! If you haven‘t heard of Bev yet, allow me to introduce you to the canned wine brand that‘s been blowing up my Instagram feed and making appearances at just about every picnic and pool party I‘ve been to lately. Founded by millennial female entrepreneur Alix Peabody in 2018, Bev is turning the male-dominated alcohol industry on its head with a line of fun, approachable canned wines targeted at health-conscious young women.
As someone always looking for the latest and greatest in food and drinks, I was intrigued by Bev‘s promise of a "new kind of girls‘ night" fueled by dry, fizzy low-cal wines in photogenic cans. I had to see what all the hype was about! So I got my hands on a variety pack and cracked open a few cans with my girls to give Bev an honest try. Keep reading for my complete review of the brand and thoughts on each of Bev‘s five signature wine flavors.
First Impressions
Right off the bat, Bev makes a bold first impression with its eye-catching branding. The matte pastel cans practically scream "made by chicks" as the slogan on the box proclaims. Each 250mL can features a cheeky illustration and name personifying the wine as a member of your girl gang – meet Gris, Blanc, Glitz, and the rest of the crew.
Bev isn‘t shy about marketing directly to millennial women and building a strong brand identity around female empowerment. As founder Alix Peabody explained to Refinery29, "I wanted to create a product that felt like it was made by women for women. We‘re redefining what it means to drink like a girl." With only 13% of C-level positions at major alcohol companies held by women, Bev is certainly challenging the status quo.
Wines and Flavors
Now let‘s dive into the wines themselves. Bev offers five core wines all produced in California:
- Rosé – crisp and dry with notes of strawberry, raspberry, and white peach
- Sauvignon Blanc – vibrant and refreshing with hints of green apple, nectarine and citrus
- Pinot Grigio – light and minerally with elderflower, pear, and grapefruit notes
- Pinot Noir – the driest option with flavors of pomegranate, blackberry and citrus
- Sparkling White – bright and bubbly with lemon, honey, and minerality (for Bev club members only)
All of Bev‘s wines clock in at a sessionable 11-13% ABV and are carbonated for a fizzy, refreshing texture. The slim 250mL cans equate to roughly a glass and a half of wine each.
What distinguishes Bev from other canned wines and alternatives is its zero sugar, additive-free dry wine formulation. By fermenting their wines extra dry and not adding any artificial sweeteners, Bev can offer a product that‘s lower in calories and carbs than traditional wine without compromising on taste. A single can ranges from just 100-160 calories and 0-7g net carbs.
"I was tired of the only available options being cloyingly sweet or weirdly savory canned wines. I wanted a dry, crisp, refreshing option that wouldn‘t give me a sugar hangover and that actually tasted like great wine."
Alix Peabody, Bev Founder & CEO via The Zoe Report
As a gal who‘s trying to be mindful of my sugar and calorie intake, I love that I can enjoy a glass (or a few) of Bev without that icky, bloated feeling I get from sweeter alcoholic drinks. The wines taste clean, balanced, and real – not chemically or artificially altered.
Tasting Notes
Over the course of a weekend, I sampled each of Bev‘s core flavors and here were my honest thoughts:
Bev Rosé
Wow, this California rosé is dangerously drinkable! The pale pink color and delicate fizz are super pretty and festive. On the palate, it‘s everything I want in a rosé – bone dry yet bursting with fresh berry and stone fruit flavor. The hints of strawberry and raspberry give it a lovely sweetness without any added sugar. It‘s crisp, lively and perfect for spring and summer sipping. I can see why this is Bev‘s O.G. and biggest hit.
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Bev Blanc
As a Sauv Blanc fan, I was excited to try Bev‘s spin on the varietal. It did not disappoint! This white is somehow even lighter and brighter than the rosé. The grassy, green apple notes are super refreshing and transported me straight to a sunny picnic in wine country. While definitely citrusy and crisp, it‘s a bit more subdued than a New Zealand-style Sauvignon Blanc. Easy to crush and an ideal alternative to Pinot Grigio or Vinho Verde in my book.
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Bev Gris
Speaking of Pinot Grigio, let‘s talk about Gris. I‘ll admit, I‘m not usually a huge Grigio gal as I find them to be a bit bland. But Bev‘s California interpretation offers more complexity and intrigue. The minerally, saline notes are balanced by floral elderflower and juicy pear. Still on the drier, crisper end but a bit rounder and more lush than the other whites. I‘d happily reach for this on a warm day or with a cheese board.
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟½
Bev Noir
To be honest, I wasn‘t expecting to love a canned red wine, but Bev Noir proved me wrong. This Pinot Noir has some heft and definition, with dark berry and pomegranate shining through. The touch of citrus gives it a brighter, more summery vibe. While fuller than the other wines, it‘s still light-bodied and quaffable chilled thanks to the carbonation. Can only legally sold in a few states due to ABV, but glad I snagged some to try.
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Bev Glitz
As a Bev Club member, I recently got to try the new Bev Glitz sparkling white wine and omg, obsessed! It has all the celebratory vibes of champagne with cute California girl energy. The fine bubbles give it an elegant effervescence that is perfect for making any day feel a bit fancier. I definitely picked up the notes of jasmine, bergamot, and citrus zest. Already plotting to stock up for holiday boozing hosting!
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
The Bev Community
One thing that sets Bev apart from other alcohol brands in my mind is its focus on building a community of like-minded, empowered women. With over 198K Instagram followers to date, Bev has created a highly engaged audience of loyal fans who post unboxing videos, recipes, and cute can pics on the daily.
But Bev doesn‘t just talk the talk when it comes to supporting women. In 2021, Bev donated over $40,000 to women‘s organizations including Planned Parenthood and Black Women‘s Health Imperative. Peabody, who bootstrapped the company and worked three jobs to get it off the ground, is committed to "breaking the glass" as a female founder in a male-dominated industry.
As a woman who appreciates brands that stand for something bigger, I can feel good about every sip knowing I‘m supporting a company that champions women. Let‘s be real – female empowerment is a major value-add for millennial consumers like myself.
The Verdict
So what‘s my final verdict on Bev? After getting a taste of each wine, I am officially a Bev believer. While not necessarily the most complex wines on the market, Bev absolutely delivers on its promise of a crisp, dry, and refreshing canned wine experience. The fact that it‘s zero sugar and better-for-you is the cherry (or should I say grape) on top.
Some highlights:
✔️ Super drinkable and delicious across the board – While I had my favorites, every Bev wine flavor was tasty and easy to drink. The tropical notes and crisp finish are perfect for a summer party or beach day.
✔️ Guilt-free ingredients – With no sugar, no carbs, and roughly 100 calories per serving, I love that I can imbibe freely without derailing my health goals.
✔️ Convenience and portability – The slim, non-glass cans make Bev a game-changer for taking wine on the go. No more hauling heavy bottles or forgetting a corkscrew!
✔️ On-trend, Instagrammable branding – I can‘t lie, the cute cans and cheeky copy just make drinking Bev even more fun. Judging by my feed, I‘m clearly not alone in loving the look.
✔️ Supporting a female-founded, mission-driven brand – As a woman in business myself, I love championing other badass female entrepreneurs shaking up the status quo in male-dominated spaces.
That said, Bev wines are not necessarily cheap – a 24-pack will run you around $99 before shipping. As someone who usually goes for the $10-20 wine range, that‘s definitely a bit of a splurge. However, the quality, taste, and health-conscious aspects justify the price tag in my opinion.
All in all, I would 10/10 recommend Bev to my fellow millennial women looking for a fun, fresh, and more inclusive wine drinking experience. As someone always down to try the latest wellness-forward alcohol alternatives (hard kombucha and spiked seltzer are my jam), Bev is a new fave I‘ll be stocking in my fridge on the regular. Cheers babe!
