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The Core Brewing & Distilling Co. Evolution: 5 Shocking Facts About Its Rebrand To Scarlet Letter Beverage Co.

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The landscape of craft brewing is constantly shifting, and no company exemplifies this evolution better than Core Brewing & Distilling Co. What began as a passionate, Arkansas-only brewery has undergone a dramatic and highly successful transformation, pivoting its focus to a booming new category. As of December 22, 2025, the latest and most crucial update is that Core Brewing & Distilling Co. has strategically rebranded and expanded its primary business to become Scarlet Letter Beverage Co., a move that has secured its future and propelled its products into over 20 states. This shift is not a closure, but a bold new chapter, with the company's core craft beer line now operating alongside a wildly popular range of hard seltzers and other innovative hard beverages.

This re-engineering of the business model, driven by founder Jesse Core, reflects a savvy response to market trends, ensuring that the legacy of Core's beloved craft brews remains intact while tapping into the explosive growth of the hard seltzer market. This article dives deep into the company's history, the man behind the transformation, and the specific products driving the new era of Scarlet Letter Beverage Co.

Jesse Core: The Founder and Visionary Behind the Evolution

The story of Core Brewing & Distilling Co. is inextricably linked to its founder, Jesse Core. His personal and professional journey provides the foundational context for the company’s recent strategic pivot. Core is not just an entrepreneur; he is a seventh-generation Arkansan with deep roots and a passion for his home state and, initially, for craft beer.

  • Full Name: Jesse Daniel Core
  • Role: Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • Founding Year: Established Core Brewing & Distilling Co. in 2010
  • Hometown: Fort Smith, AR (Northside High School graduate, 1991)
  • Base of Operations: Springdale, Arkansas
  • Background: Described as a husband, dad, entrepreneur, former baseball player, and having a background in software before founding the brewery.
  • Vision: Started the company with the goal of creating great beer for Arkansas, which later expanded to a national distribution footprint and a focus on innovative hard beverages.

Jesse Core's trajectory from a young, eager entrepreneur in 2010 to a leader of a multi-state beverage company highlights his adaptability. The decision to embrace the hard seltzer market with the Scarlet Letter brand was a direct response to the changing tastes of consumers, allowing the company to avoid the pitfalls faced by many single-focus craft breweries in a crowded market.

The Strategic Pivot: From Craft Beer to Scarlet Letter Beverage Co.

The most significant development for Core Brewing & Distilling Co. is its transformation into Scarlet Letter Beverage Co. This was a necessary and brilliant strategic move that allowed the Springdale-based operation to thrive. The company still produces its celebrated line of craft beers, but the new growth engine is the hard beverage market.

The pivot was fueled by the explosive, nationwide demand for low-calorie, low-carb alcoholic sparkling water. Recognizing this trend, Jesse Core launched the Scarlet Letter brand, which quickly became the company's flagship product line. This evolution allowed the company to expand its reach significantly, now distributing in over 20 states.

While the business model shifted, the commitment to the original craft beer roots remains. The company maintains its brewery taproom in Springdale, Arkansas, as well as its presence at venues like the XNA (Northwest Arkansas National Airport) taproom, keeping the Core brand visible and accessible to dedicated fans.

The New Flagship: Scarlet Letter Hard Seltzer Line

The Scarlet Letter hard seltzer line is the key driver of the company's current success. These products are positioned as premium, hand-crafted alternatives to mass-market seltzers, focusing on unique flavor profiles and clean ingredients. The seltzers are known for their low-calorie and low-carbohydrate count, appealing directly to health-conscious consumers.

Key features of the Scarlet Letter seltzers include:

  • Low-Calorie: Only 84 calories per 12oz can.
  • Low-Carb: A mere 0.8g of carbohydrates per 12oz can.
  • ABV: 4.3% Alcohol by Volume.

The brand is defined by its distinct color-coded flavors, each offering a complex and refreshing taste profile:

  • Scarlet Letter Purple: A sophisticated blend featuring elderberry, passion fruit, coriander, and key lime.
  • Scarlet Letter Red: Known for its unique combination of cucumber, lime, ginger, and hibiscus.
  • Scarlet Letter Green: A third flavor that rounds out the variety pack, continuing the brand's commitment to bold, non-traditional seltzer flavors.

In addition to the seltzers, Scarlet Letter Beverage Co. is also expanding into other hard beverages, including vodka sodas, further diversifying its portfolio and maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving beverage market.

The Enduring Core Brewing Craft Beer Lineup

Despite the massive success of the Scarlet Letter brand, Core Brewing & Distilling Co. has not abandoned its roots. The company continues to produce a beloved lineup of craft beers that have a loyal following, particularly in the Arkansas region. This dual-brand strategy allows the company to cater to two distinct consumer bases: the traditional craft beer aficionado and the modern hard beverage drinker.

The Core beer portfolio is diverse, covering a range of styles from light lagers to rich ales. Some of the most notable and enduring Core craft beers include:

  • Arkansas Red Ale: A flagship red ale, known for its balanced malt and hop profile.
  • Toasted Coconut: A popular Brown Ale variety with a 5.6% ABV and a distinctive, rich flavor.
  • Leghound Lager: A crisp, refreshing lager with a 5.5% ABV, a staple in the Core lineup.
  • Razorback Red: Another well-regarded Red Ale with a 5.2% ABV.
  • Warthog: A Lager/Helles style beer.
  • Heisenberg - Peach: A fruity German Hefeweizen that offers a lighter, wheat-based option.

The continued production of these beers, alongside their new hard seltzer line, showcases the company's dedication to its founding mission while simultaneously embracing the future of the beverage industry. This comprehensive approach ensures that the name "Core Brewing & Distilling Co." remains synonymous with quality, innovation, and a commitment to the Arkansas craft scene, even as its new identity, Scarlet Letter Beverage Co., takes the national stage.

The Core Brewing & Distilling Co. Evolution: 5 Shocking Facts About Its Rebrand to Scarlet Letter Beverage Co.
core brewing & distilling co
core brewing & distilling co

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