‘More alcohol than beer’: Huge demand for Hard Solo at the Ville

New Aussie alcohol Hard Solo is so popular in NQ, the Ville has put it on tap. And it’s not just young women drinking the controversial drop.

An alcoholic Hard Solo next to its namesake, a Solo soft drink.

A heavy-criticised new Aussie alcohol is providing so popular in Townsville, the Ville has put it on tap.

Hard Solo was launched in July this year, and was criticised for catering to kids and teenagers with its soft drink-like packaging and taste.

But customers have spoken, and demand has been astronomical for Hard Solo since it hit bottle-o shelves.

Quarterdeck duty manager Jack Lloyd-Jones said the Ville started serving Hard Solo in October, and it rapidly became the most popular pre-mix drink in the venue, leading to management putting it on tap.

“We put it on tap last week and it’s one of the most popular sellers we have,” Mr Lloyd-Jones said.

“It’s jumped right into our top five, and it’s the most popular pre-mix overall.”

Jack Lloyd-Jones with a glass of Hard Solo at The Ville. Picture: Evan Morgan

It’s not just young women flocking to the easy-drinking 4.5 per cent ABV alcohol, which is described as tasting ‘just like Solo’.

“A lot of guys are drinking it,” Mr Lloyd-Jones said.

“There is always one or two in the group who order it and their mates will give them a bit of flack, but they say ‘I’m drinking Hard Solo, I don’t care, and it’s stronger than beer anyway’.”

Hard Solo is manufactured by Asahi Beverages, which also owns Solo - a ‘70s soft drink inspired by the traditional Aussie ‘pub squash’.

Asahi strongly refutes any claims it’s Solo soft drink and Hard Solo alcohol can be confused.

The popularity of Hard Solo coincides with an ongoing drop in overall beer consumption and rise in ready-to-drink alcohols.

Originally published as ‘More alcohol than beer’: Huge demand for Hard Solo at the Ville