Brewers Collective, the craft business unit of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, ventures into the flavored malt beverage category with the debut of LQD. LQD (pronounced L-Q-D) draws from the collective imagination and ingenuity of the craft brewers to develop a line for health-minded consumers while delivering on taste and quality, it says.

"After brainstorming with brewers from across the 13 craft partners that comprise Brewers Collective, it became apparent there was an opportunity to collaborate on a unique beyond beer offering," said Marcelo "Mika" Michaelis, president of Brewers Collective, in a statement. "With craftsmanship and real ingredients at its core, LQD has provided our brewers with a platform through which they can directly and creatively address consumer needs."

LQD's products are brewed using a shortlist of simple and pronounceable ingredients. LQD is crafted using quality ingredients (like real fruit) that are naturally fermented to create unique and unexpected alcohol-based beverages, according to the company.

At launch, LQD will offer three flavors: Hard Agave Limeade, Hard Passion Fruit Green Tea and Hard Hibiscus Green Tea. A Hard Hibiscus Lemonade will be coming this summer. All of the flavored malt beverages feature an alcohol by volume of 5.2-5.9 percent and fewer than 200 calories. Available in individual flavor six-packs and variety tea 12-packs, LQD will be hitting shelves across the U.S. in select markets with a suggested retail price of $10.99 to $12.99.