Your local snack store breaks down Barstool's booze brands
If you've spent any time on social media in the past few years, you've probably seen Dave Portnoy reviewing pizza, betting on sports, or promoting one of his beverage brands. The founder of Barstool Sports — headquartered right here in the Boston area — has quietly built one of the most successful celebrity drink portfolios in the game.
At StackCart in Granby, Massachusetts, we've been watching Portnoy's drink empire grow since day one. Now that we've got our beer and wine license, we're finally able to stock what the Stoolies have been asking for: High Noon Hard Seltzer and Lucky Ones Vodka Lemonade.
Here's our honest take on both.
Who Is Dave Portnoy (For Those Who've Been Living Under a Rock)
Dave Portnoy started Barstool Sports in 2003 as a print newspaper covering Boston gambling and fantasy sports. Today, it's a media empire worth hundreds of millions, with millions of followers across platforms.
Beyond content, Portnoy has become one of the most successful celebrity beverage entrepreneurs in the country. Unlike many celeb alcohol deals that are pure endorsements, Portnoy is heavily involved in the brands he promotes — and more importantly, he actually drinks them.
That authenticity is a big reason why High Noon and Lucky Ones have crushed it.
High Noon Hard Seltzer: The Complete Breakdown
High Noon launched in 2019 and immediately differentiated itself from competitors like White Claw and Truly with one major move: real vodka and real fruit juice.
What Makes High Noon Different
Most hard seltzers use malt liquor as their alcohol base (essentially beer). High Noon uses Midwest-made vodka and actual fruit juice, giving it a cleaner taste and smoother finish.
The Stats:
- ABV: 4.5% (standard cans) to 8% (High Noon Sun Sips and new varieties)
- Calories: 100 per 12oz can
- Sugar: 2.5g (from real fruit juice)
- Gluten-Free: Yes
High Noon Flavor Rankings (Our Take)
We've taste-tested every High Noon flavor we could get our hands on. Here's how they stack up:
S-Tier (Best of the Best):
- Watermelon — The flagship for a reason. Sweet but not cloying, tastes like actual watermelon
- Peach — Perfect summer flavor, Georgia vibes in a can
- Pineapple — Tropical without being artificial
A-Tier (Excellent):
- Black Cherry — Rich and satisfying, great for people who find other seltzers too light
- Grapefruit — Tart and refreshing, a palate cleanser
- Mango — Sweet and punchy, crowd favorite
B-Tier (Solid):
- Lime — Simple and clean, good mixer base
- Passionfruit — Unique but not for everyone
The Variety Packs:
- Pool Pack — Watermelon, Peach, Pineapple, Mango — the perfect summer party pack
- Tropical Pack — For adventurous palates
High Noon Sun Sips (The Iced Tea Line)
In 2023, High Noon launched Sun Sips, their vodka iced tea line. At 4.5% ABV and 100 calories, these are essentially Twisted Teas made with vodka instead of malt liquor.
Flavors: Lemon Tea, Peach Tea, Raspberry Tea
If you're a Twisted Tea fan but want something cleaner, Sun Sips are worth trying.
High Noon Tequila Seltzer
The newest addition to the lineup uses real tequila instead of vodka. Currently available in Lime, Grapefruit, and Strawberry.
These hit harder and have more of a margarita vibe. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo or anyone who finds vodka seltzers too mild.
Lucky Ones Vodka Lemonade: Dave's Own Brand
While High Noon is a partnership, Lucky Ones is Dave Portnoy's personal vodka lemonade brand, launched in late 2024.
The Concept
Lucky Ones is positioned as a premium vodka lemonade — think what Arnold Palmer did for iced tea and lemonade, but with alcohol. It's named after the idea that we're all "lucky ones" to be here enjoying life.
The Stats:
- ABV: 5%
- Calories: 130 per 12oz can
- Real lemon juice — not concentrate
- Premium vodka base
Lucky Ones Flavors
- Original Lemonade — Classic and clean, tastes like fresh-squeezed lemonade with a kick
- Strawberry Lemonade — Sweet and summery
- Peach Lemonade — Similar to High Noon Peach but more lemonade-forward
Lucky Ones vs The Competition
How does Lucky Ones stack up against other vodka lemonades?
- vs. Sunny D Vodka Seltzer: Lucky Ones is less artificial, more adult
- vs. Mike's Hard Lemonade: Lucky Ones uses vodka, not malt liquor — cleaner finish
- vs. Truly Vodka Soda: Different category, but Lucky Ones has more flavor
The Barstool Boston Connection
Here's what makes stocking these brands special for us at StackCart: Barstool is a Boston company.
While they've technically moved headquarters around over the years, Barstool's DNA is Massachusetts through and through. Dave Portnoy grew up in Swampscott. The company started in Milton. The original "El Presidente" pizza reviews were filmed all over Boston.
When you buy High Noon or Lucky Ones at a Massachusetts store, you're supporting a brand with real local roots. That matters.
When to Drink What: A Guide
- Beach/Pool Day: High Noon Watermelon or Peach
- Cookout: High Noon variety pack
- Watching the Game: Lucky Ones (it's what Dave would drink)
- Date Night: High Noon Tequila Lime
- Summer Porch Session: High Noon Sun Sips Peach Tea
- Celebrating a Win: Lucky Ones Strawberry Lemonade
Pairing Snacks with Barstool Drinks
Since we're a snack store first, here are our recommended pairings:
- High Noon Watermelon + Tajín Chips: Sweet meets tangy heat
- High Noon Peach + Cheese Crisps: Savory crunch balances the fruit
- Lucky Ones + Spicy Buldak Ramen: Cold vodka lemonade cools the fire
- High Noon Tequila Lime + Takis: Full Mexican cantina vibes
- Sun Sips Peach Tea + Honey Butter Chips: Sweet on sweet heaven
Where to Buy in Western Massachusetts
StackCart in Granby now stocks both High Noon and Lucky Ones. We're one of the few local spots where you can grab both brands alongside snacks for your party.
What We Carry:
- High Noon variety packs
- High Noon single flavors (Watermelon, Peach, Pineapple)
- High Noon Sun Sips
- Lucky Ones Original
- Lucky Ones Strawberry
Stop by the store or check our online selection at stack-cart.com.
The Verdict: Are Portnoy's Drinks Worth It?
High Noon: Absolutely. It's the best mainstream hard seltzer on the market. The real vodka and fruit juice make a noticeable difference compared to malt-based competitors. If you've written off hard seltzers because White Claw tastes too artificial, give High Noon a shot.
Lucky Ones: A solid premium vodka lemonade. It's not revolutionary, but it's well-made and tastes like real lemonade — not the chemical-tasting stuff you get from some competitors. The Barstool factor makes it fun to bring to parties.
Rating:
- High Noon: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
- Lucky Ones: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
FAQ: Dave Portnoy Drinks
Does Dave Portnoy own High Noon?
He doesn't own it, but he's been a major investor and brand ambassador since 2020. His promotion helped High Noon become a top-5 hard seltzer brand.
Is Lucky Ones Dave Portnoy's company?
Yes, Lucky Ones is Dave's own brand, launched in partnership with beverage industry veterans.
Is High Noon gluten-free?
Yes, High Noon is made with vodka (not malt liquor) so it's naturally gluten-free.
What's the alcohol content of High Noon?
Standard High Noon is 4.5% ABV. Some varieties like Sun Sips are also 4.5%, while certain limited editions go up to 8%.
Where can I buy High Noon and Lucky Ones near Granby, MA?
StackCart at 77 West State St carries both brands along with a full selection of snacks and drinks.
Is High Noon better than White Claw?
In our opinion, yes. The real vodka and fruit juice give High Noon a cleaner, more natural taste.
StackCart is located at 77 West State St, Granby, MA. We're open 7 days a week and now carry beer, wine, and hard seltzers alongside our full snack selection. Shop in-store or online at stack-cart.com.
Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to purchase alcohol.