Seltzer Death Match

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Seltzer Death Match is the quest to find the best seltzer in America. Judges Rachel Ward (Gimlet) and Travis Larchuk (NPR's Ask Me Another) meet up with a "celebrity" guest judge for a head-to-head taste test of two seltzers and/or carbonated-water-based beverages. Our intro & exit music is Dubstep…

Seltzer Death Match


    • Nov 14, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 35 EPISODES

    4.8 from 34 ratings Listeners of Seltzer Death Match that love the show mention: seltzer.



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    Latest episodes from Seltzer Death Match

    JAM.00: Little French Jelly Death Match

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 7:04


    Surprise! Your seltzer feed has been taken over by an authorized spinoff of the franchise. “Little French Jelly Death Match” will be an audio advent calendar following the actual Bonne Maman advent calendar of little jams. We want you to play along! Snag a jam calendar here: https://www.bonnemaman.us/2022-advent-calendar.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-Nrjedl4HbijShYrV3MR7h81qj-UgMQO2wY617NetB8SRDOqoxy_DGhoCc64QAvD_BwE (NOTE: THIS IS NOT SPON CON. BUT THERE IS TIME, BONNE MAMAN, IF YOU WANT TO GET IN TOUCH)

    2.18: Pokéseltzer with Josh Fjelstad

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 13:43


    Which Pokémon is the official Pokémon of seltzer? Josh Fjelstad, co-host of the podcast "EXP. Share," joins us to try a hemp club soda... just in time for 4/20. Today’s matchup: Q Spectacular Club Soda vs. Endo Water Sparkling Hemp Club Soda.

    2.17: Nonlinear with Mike Katzif

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 14:44


    It’s a battle of grapefruit seltzers! Podcast producer Mike Katzif joins us for today’s matchup: Waterloo vs. Alta Palla.* *Mike’s original plug was edited out of the show because this episode was recorded in 2019 and he was plugging the concept of attending live concerts. But he suggests, “In the meantime, maybe watching musicians performing awkwardly and wholesomely in their own homes on IG Live and such.”

    2.16: Encased Meats with Sam Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 19:15


    We're back, just in time for that Independence Day cookout you definitely shouldn't be going to because social distancing is still a thing. Hot dog aficionado Sam Lee joins us to taste two more trendy hemp seltzers. Today's matchup: Sweet Reason strawberry lavender vs. Dram gingergrass. Black lives matter; this seltzer podcast does not... so enjoy this little break and then get back to being actively anti-racist.

    2.15: A-A-T-M with Meredith Heil

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2020 21:58


    Get out of the way, Aesthetics, Bub and Flava… there’s a new rubric in town. Food and beverage writer Meredith Heil joins us, and the brunch ambience outside the shipping container is VERY LOUD. Today’s matchup: Ever and Ever vs. Market Basket.

    2.14: Bubs with Drugs with Elizabeth Donnelly and Stu Sherman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2020 14:37


    For $125,000: Does Meredith Vieira like seltzer? A: Yes B: No C: She's more of a Spindrift fan D: Richard Nixon It's booze vs. hemp black cherry seltzers. Today's matchup: White Claw vs. Weller.

    2.13: Crime Seltzer with Abbey Kos

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 12:46


    We begin with an actual news update from our carbonation correspondent about the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the seltzer industry. Then, another new episode from 2019: Writer/editor/strategist Abbey Kos joins us to make a confession. Today’s matchup: An artisanal local Brooklyn seltzer vs. FOUND unflavored. Today’s episode uses the song “She Thinks Herself Immortal” by Jim Rooster, CC Attribution license.

    2.12: Water with Glitter in It with Caitlin Dickerson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2020 16:15


    Club soda vs. mineral water? The world's gone to hell, so who cares! In late 2019, New York Times reporter Caitlin Dickerson joined us in a shipping container in the backyard of a Bushwick pizza restaurant to compare two things that make no sense to compare. Today's matchup: Sea to Sea club Soda vs. Lurisia mineral water.

    2.11: I'm Every Seltzer with Wendy Zukerman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 17:52


    Seltzer Death Match is back with new episodes recorded in the past. Wendy Zukerman of Gimlet's "Science Vs." brought us two Polish seltzers she found in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Today's matchup: Naleczowianka vs. Cisowianka. Stay safe, everybody.

    2.10: They Rip, They Dunk, They Chew, They Swallow with Peter Bresnan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2018 13:24


    Peter Bresnan is the producer of Gimlet's "The Habitat," about six fake astronauts trapped in a fake Mars habitat for a year. What happens when he's trapped in a seltzer podcast for an hour, edited down to 13 minutes? Today's matchup: Polar Club Soda Lemon Twist vs. Polar Seltzer "Yeti Mischief."

    2.09: The Devon Sawa of Seltzer with Theo Balcomb

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2018 14:15


    Does Michael Barbaro like seltzer? Our guest judge Theo Balcomb has the answer. Theo produces The New York Times news podcast, "The Daily," and she has some HOT GOSS about seltzer culture at The Gray Lady. Today's matchup: Mountain Valley vs. Field Day.

    2.08: Seltzer Feelings with Tim Manley

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2018 13:30


    Joy. Sadness. Anger. Fear. Disgust. These are the five human emotions, as depicted by Pixar's "Inside Out." Which do you experience upon drinking seltzer? We explore this question with Tim Manley, storyteller and writer/star of the web series "The Feels." Today's matchup: Four Point Zero Green Apple vs. Four Point Zero Mango Cilantro.

    2.07: Club Soda Fight to the Finish

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2018 16:27


    Host Julia Melfi welcomes the judges of Seltzer Death Match, Rachel Ward and Travis Larchuk, to choose which is the most good club soda in the U-S-A. This episode uses the song “Bubble Butterflies,” by Bottlesmoker, CC Attribution-NonCommercial license.

    2.06: Missing the Z with Rebecca Soffer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2018 11:35


    Does Chelsea Clinton like seltzer? We know she was once in the vicinity of Hint Fizz, thanks to today's guest judge, Rebecca Soffer. She's the co-founder of "Modern Loss," a web site and book with essays about the grieving process. Today's battle: Topo Chico from Mexico vs. Selters from Germany.

    2.05: If It’s Cold, It’s Sold with Chris Taylor

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2018 36:40


    The VP of Boylan Bottling Co. joins us to defend his company’s products in the wake of Boylan’s losses at the hands of regional favoritism and a non-seltzer mixed with soy sauce. In this extra-long special episode, we’ll learn everything we didn’t know we wanted to know about the bub biz. Then, it’s a Boylan Battle Royale: We’ll taste all four Boylan seltzer flavors, but only one can win. Today’s episode uses the song “Think,” by Lee Rosevere, CC Attribution-NonCommercial license.

    2.04: Soy Sauce & Seltzer with Kat Chow

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2018 12:45


    Does Bob Costas like seltzer? Our special guest judge, NPR's Kat Chow, might know the answer. She discusses her stint as a producer at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Then she surprises us with an unprecedented challenge: mixing seltzer with SOY SAUCE. Today's matchup: Boylan's Lemon Seltzer vs. San Pellegrino Lemon (which we know is not technically seltzer, don't @ us).

    2.03: Volcanic Purity with Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 12:26


    The hosts of Gimlet's "The Nod," Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings, join us to discuss an important parenting topic: when to introduce your children to seltzer. Also, Brittany makes up a seltzer cake recipe and we taste two mineral waters from Spain: Mondariz and Sant Aniol.

    2.02: Now Fizzing with Amanda Brennan

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2018 11:29


    A private Facebook group of seltzer fans announces itself to the world. Group ambassador Amanda Brennan joins us to discuss seltzer lingo and her day job as Tumblr's librarian of memes. Today's matchup: Limited Edition Hal's New York Coffee Seltzer vs. coffee we put in a SodaStream.

    2.01: #gayabsdrinkseltzer with Cecil Baldwin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2018 13:13


    Welcome to Night Vale's Cecil Baldwin joins us for our season 2 premiere, now with even more questionable audio quality! Join us back in Rachel Ward's Brooklyn apartment as we discuss the difference between Insta-Gays and #instagays and how to pronounce the words "apricot" and "Cúrate." Today's matchup: LaCroix Apricot vs. Voss Tangerine Lemongrass.

    1.15: Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2017 19:01


    It all comes down to this. Previous guest judges and other friends join us to help taste the final two seltzers, offer new sense memories and air grievances in a spectacular live (on tape) finale. Featuring cameos by David Greene and Rachel's Dad, and a clip of Katie Couric discussing seltzer courtesy of NPR & WAMU's The Big Listen. Today’s episode uses the song “Think,” by Lee Rosevere, CC Attribution-NonCommercial license.

    1.14: LaCroix Boi with Chris Berube

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2017 10:16


    Did you know there's an entire country north of The United States? We'll learn more about this mysterious land with today's guest judge, Slate's unofficial Canada correspondent, Chris Berube. He tells us that Canadians call seltzer "club soda." Go figure: It's just like Canadians to figure out how to spell "seltzer" with the letter "U." (Also, we are aware club soda is technically different from seltzer. Please send your angry letters to Canada Dry, c/o Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.) In today's final semifinal, Saratoga and Adirondack Lemon Lime compete to advance to the final final.

    1.13: Your Dream Seltzer Account with Nazanin Rafsanjani

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2017 8:44


    Does Rachel Maddow like seltzer? And, hypothetically, if you were in charge of a podcasting agency that partners with businesses to create branded content, what would be your dream seltzer account? As we approach the season finale, Nazanin Rafsanjani guest judges the first of two semifinal death matches. Only she can decide who moves to the finals: Vintage or Hint Fizz Peach.

    1.12: Seltzer Facial with Katie Christiansen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2017 10:35


    Is seltzer good for your skin? What liquid do you soak your meatball breadcrumbs in? What are we even talking about anymore? Katie Christiansen joins us for the last quarterfinal round, as Vintage and LaCroix Coconut battle it out for a spot in the semifinals. Today’s episode contains a snippet of “Think,” by Lee Rosevere, CC Attribution-NonCommercial license.

    1.11: 17 Times Seltzer Bubbles Tickled Your Fancy with Chiquita Paschal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2017 12:26


    Who's your Disney sidepiece? We talk about the hottest bros in the Magic Kingdom with BuzzFeed consultant Chiquita Paschal. Also, returning quarterfinalist seltzers Hint Fizz Peach and Rocchetta Brio Blu battle for a spot in the semifinals. Today's episode contains a snippet of "Think," by Lee Rosevere, CC Attribution-NonCommercial License.

    1.10: Trying Too Hard with Zoe Chace

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2017 11:10


    Does Ira Glass like seltzer? Today's program in three acts. Act I: "For Whom the Bub Bubs." We meet our guest judge, This American Life's Zoe Chace. Act II: "Quarter for Your Finals." Returning winners Adirondack Lemon-Lime (the David Sedaris of seltzer) and Hal’s New York Black Cherry (the Mike Birbiglia of seltzer) compete. Act III: "Personal Reflection." What did you think that seltzer was going to be like, and then, what was it really like? How has this experience changed you?* *During our live movie theater simulcast, this segment was accompanied by a performance from the Pilobolus dance troupe. Today’s episode contains a snippet of “Think,” by Lee Rosevere, CC Attribution-NonCommercial license.

    1.09: Rice Balls with Austin Thompson

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2017 11:50


    Did you know there's a kind of seltzer that doesn't have bubbles, and you have to chew it? It's called "food." Guest judge Austin Thompson (Gimlet) turns the tables and treats us to some rice balls. Stay until the end for some quality stereo ASMR. Also we'll drink Saratoga and LaCroix Pamplemousse. Today’s episode contains a snippet of “Think,” by Lee Rosevere, CC Attribution-NonCommercial license.

    BONUS: Bracketology with Mike Pesca

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2017 8:10


    The opening rounds are over, and the quarterfinal bracket has been released! Mike Pesca, host of Slate's podcast "The Gist," joins Travis for some bracketology. We'll learn some actual facts about the seltzers we've tried as Mike predicts the winners of each quarterfinal, and the overall winner of SDM.

    1.08: Two Turnarounds with Laura Sim

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2017 8:54


    You're invited! Bring a can of seltzer over to our house. Throw it into a hat. Put on a blindfold and drink whatever seltzer you choose! (Also bring your own blindfold.) RSVP regrets only. Guest judge Laura Sim picks between two classic, unflavored seltzers: Polar and Vintage.

    1.07: Seltzer No More with Julia Melfi

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2017 12:39


    You wander into a dimly lit room. The sound of bubbles surrounds you. A seltzer cooler opens. A handsome man emerges. He beckons you to join him. You hesitate. Will this be the night? The night you drop your inhibitions? The night you finally find your fizz? Guest judge Julia Melfi pitches us on multiple seltzer-related theat(er/re) projects. Today's match: Hint Fizz Peach vs. Canada Dry Mandarin Orange.

    1.06: The Bubbler with Lynn Levy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2017 9:12


    Check your fridge. Is there an old bottle of mustard in there? Where did it come from? What’s its story? We'll all learn and grow as guest judge Lynn Levy takes us through international waters: Vichy Catalan vs. Rocchetta Brio Blu. This episode contains a tiny bit of royalty free music by Bensound: http://www.bensound.com/.

    1.05: The Jigsaw Bubbles with Rommel Wood

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2017 10:45


    What's the seltzer culture like in the Adirondacks? And when will this podcast finally review meat water? Our guest judge, upstate New York native Rommel Wood (of Radio Free Brooklyn), joins us to settle a subway series: Boylan vs. Saratoga Springs.

    1.04: Murder's a Slippery Slope with Kalila Holt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2017 9:19


    When does cactus life begin? And what do you call that thing where you mix every soda flavor together? Get ready for international and domestic culture clashes with guest judge Kalila Holt (@kalilaholt, producer of The Heavyweight). Today's matchup is of two NYC bodega "hangover cures," Hal's Black Cherry New York Seltzer, and Coco Libre Sparkling Organic Coconut Water.

    1.03: Effervescence Eleganza with Ryan Leetch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2017 11:16


    Taste this seltzer, darling, taste ALL of this seltzer! Guest judge Ryan Leetch joins us with an important tip on how to spot a genuine key lime pie. Today's controversial matchup: Adirondack Lemon-Lime vs. a homemade combination of Poland Springs Lemon and Poland Springs Lime.

    1.02: I Licked Miami with Ravenna Koenig

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2017 9:36


    How do you pronounce "LaCroix"? And, more importantly, who is the Beyonce of Balkan music? Guest judge and seltzer skeptic Ravenna Koenig joins us as we pit the most-loved flavor of LaCroix against the most divisive: It's Pamplemousse vs. Coconut.

    1.01: It's Sodie Time with Doan Buu

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2016 10:40


    Does Rachel Ray like seltzer? Guest judge Doan Buu spills the sparkling tea. Today's matchup is Vanilla Fairway Simply Seltz'r vs. Vanilla Hi Ball Energy Sparkling Energy Water.

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