Sparkling Drink Systems International (SDS), a New York-based at-home carbonation products company, has partnered with Pat's Backcountry Beverages Inc. (Pat’s BCB), Golden, Colo., to produce a range of beer concentrates exclusively for SDS.

"As part of SDS' ongoing strategy to provide consumers with the ability to make all of their favorite drinks at home, offering beer was the natural next step," said Aaron Serge Bueno, SDS founder and executive chairman, in a statement. "We are delighted to be working with Pat's BCB to bring the at-home carbonation market a selection of brew concentrates that contain all the flavor, alcohol by volume (ABV) content, and aroma of a quality microbrew."

SDS' beer collection will include a 5.2 percent ABV pale ale, a 6.1 percent ABV dark ale, and a 4.2 percent ABV lager. The companies also are planning a low-alcohol or alcohol-free lager. The concentrates are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2014 in 50-ml sachets and pods that can make up to 16 ounces of beer when mixed with carbonated water.

Due to legislation surrounding the sale of alcohol in the United States, the brew kits will be located in liquor departments of stores rather than in the appliance department with at-home carbonation machines. SDS regards this as an opportunity to open the category to a whole new demographic and is working with retailers to maximize its reach through the introduction of bundle packages, point-of-sale materials and cross-department promotions, the company says.

"The introduction of at-home carbonation brew kits is a totally new and exciting proposition for retailers, opening up the opportunity to sell higher-value appliances in liquor departments [and] stores with cross-sell between departments," Bueno said in a statement.

The partnership also will allow both companies to reduce the need for packaging materials, such as plastic, glass and aluminum, as well as transportation costs.
"Pat's BCB is excited to introduce our beer to the global market with SDS,” said Patrick Tatera, Pat’s BCB founder and chief executive officer, in a statement. “Our brewing technology can save millions of dollars on the delivery of beer as we know it — no bottling, canning, heavy transportation costs, or even refrigeration [are necessary]. It's the future of beer."