I ate Blaze Pizza's new pizza crust made with Mango White Claw instead of water and liked it better than the original

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I ate Blaze Pizza's new pizza crust made with Mango White Claw instead of water and liked it better than the original
  • Blaze Pizza released a "Mango White Claw crust" at 40 of its locations.
  • The special crust was available for one-day only.
  • I tried it and enjoyed the White Claw pizza more than the original crust.

There are two things that naturally go together in the summertime: Savory, tomato-y pizza and the bubbly, fruit taste of White Claw hard seltzer.

Most people will enjoy these separately. Blaze Pizza decided to put them together.

For one day only, the pizza chain known for their oven-baked pies is offering customers a chance to try a pizza crust infused with Mango White Claw. The peculiar combination comes as sales of the popular seltzer continue to skyrocket and show no signs of slowing down.

While the combination sounded outright bizarre, it also piqued my curiosity.

The eyebrow-raising pizza was available at only 40 locations on June 18, so I stopped by the Blaze Pizza in Des Moines, Iowa to try it out.

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To get an objective understanding of what really makes a White Claw pizza unique, I ordered an original dough pizza for comparison as well.

To get an objective understanding of what really makes a White Claw pizza unique, I ordered an original dough pizza for comparison as well.
Linh Ta/Business Insider

I chose my toppings based on the recommendations of Blaze Pizza executive chef Brad Kent who suggested red sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, red bell pepper, pineapple, jalapeño, and an arugula finish.

I chose my toppings based on the recommendations of Blaze Pizza executive chef Brad Kent who suggested red sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, red bell pepper, pineapple, jalapeño, and an arugula finish.
Linh Ta/Business Insider
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Both pizzas went into the oven at the same time. I waited a few minutes while they cooked in the fire.

Both pizzas went into the oven at the same time. I waited a few minutes while they cooked in the fire.
Linh Ta/Business Insider

Once my pizzas were finished, I wanted to try a bite of the White Claw pizza while the mozzarella cheese was still oozing hot. I ate on the restaurant's patio outside and pulled out a slice.

Once my pizzas were finished, I wanted to try a bite of the White Claw pizza while the mozzarella cheese was still oozing hot. I ate on the restaurant's patio outside and pulled out a slice.
Linh Ta/Business Insider
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My first thought was that it was a really good slice of pizza — it just wasn't obvious it was a slice of White Claw pizza.

My first thought was that it was a really good slice of pizza — it just wasn't obvious it was a slice of White Claw pizza.
Linh Ta/Business Insider

I brought the pizzas home to my own patio to better analyze the differences between the two.

I brought the pizzas home to my own patio to better analyze the differences between the two.
Linh Ta/Business Insider
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Once I ate both pizzas, I noticed the differences between the two. While it's hard to taste any notes of fruit from the White Claw crust, where it stood out was the crust consistency.

Once I ate both pizzas, I noticed the differences between the two. While it's hard to taste any notes of fruit from the White Claw crust, where it stood out was the crust consistency.
Linh Ta/Business Insider

It was still a thin crust pizza, but the bread was chewier, giving it more of a bite and a yeasty flavor that contrasted well with the acidic red sauce.

It was still a thin crust pizza, but the bread was chewier, giving it more of a bite and a yeasty flavor that contrasted well with the acidic red sauce.
Linh Ta/Business Insider
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Meanwhile, the original dough pizza was purely thin-crust. It tasted good, but it served more as a vehicle for shoving toppings into my mouth. Over time, it also got soggier in comparison to the White Claw crust.

Meanwhile, the original dough pizza was purely thin-crust. It tasted good, but it served more as a vehicle for shoving toppings into my mouth. Over time, it also got soggier in comparison to the White Claw crust.
Linh Ta/Business Insider

Even if the White Claw crust didn't give off strong fruity taste, the recommended toppings offered a tropical blend of flavors with a kick.

Even if the White Claw crust didn't give off strong fruity taste, the recommended toppings offered a tropical blend of flavors with a kick.
Linh Ta/Business Insider
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The juicy pineapple pieces combined with the scattering of spicy jalapeños gave me enough flavor that I didn't miss the actual Mango White Claw flavor.

The juicy pineapple pieces combined with the scattering of spicy jalapeños gave me enough flavor that I didn't miss the actual Mango White Claw flavor.
Linh Ta/Busuiness Insider

Visually, the only noticeable differences between the two were the shape and burnt ends of the crust.

Visually, the only noticeable differences between the two were the shape and burnt ends of the crust.
Linh Ta/Business Insider
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The pizza using the original dough formed a perfect circle and had a soft black ring around it, while the White Claw crust had more burnt bits to it. None of these things made a difference in taste.

The pizza using the original dough formed a perfect circle and had a soft black ring around it, while the White Claw crust had more burnt bits to it. None of these things made a difference in taste.
Linh Ta/Business Insider

While the special is one day only, I wouldn’t hesitate to crack open a can of White Claw and order some pizzas if they ever bring it back again.

While the special is one day only, I wouldn’t hesitate to crack open a can of White Claw and order some pizzas if they ever bring it back again.
Linh Ta/Business Insider
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