Global Canadian cannabis company, Aphria Inc., is purchasing SweetWater Brewing Co. for $300 million. Aphria is looking to use SweetWater’s name to build awareness in the U.S. for Aphria’s cannabis brands.
“Our strong balance sheet and access to capital have enabled us to enter the U.S. through this strategic and accretive acquisition,” said Irwin D. Simon, Aphria’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We will establish and grow our U.S. presence through SweetWater’s robust, profitable platform of craft brewing innovation, manufacturing, marketing and distribution expertise. At the same time, we will build brand awareness for our adult-use cannabis brands, Broken Coast, Good Supply, Riff and Solei, through our participation in the growing $29 billion craft brew market in the U.S. ahead of potential future state or federal cannabis legalization.”
“We look forward to building upon the strengths of each of our respective and complementary brands, diversifying our product offering, broadening our consumer reach, and enhancing loyalty with consumers,” states Simon.
Founded in 1997, SweetWater has built a top tier brand in terms of name recognition and consistency in craft beer, always staying true to its affinity for weed culture. SweetWater’s various 420 strains of craft brews use terpenes and natural hemp flavors that, when combined with select hops, emulate the flavors and aromas of popular cannabis strains. Other initiatives include being known for their own jam band festival hosted each year, Sweetwater 420 Fest and 420 Extra Pale Ale and IPA are also served on all Delta flights nationwide.
420 strains include:
Jack Herer Harvest Ale
Jack Herer Harvest Ale is a version of a hoppy red IPA, with aroma and flavor notes of pine, citrus, orange and a hint of pepper fit for the original Emperor himself. Brewed and enjoyed in memory of Jack Herer.
ABV 6.7%
IBUs 45
Malt Bill: 2 Row, Wheat, Rye, Carapils, Chocolate
Hops: Centennial, Cascade, Amarillo
Dry Hop: Centennial, Amarillo
Flavor Profile: Citrusy, Peppery, Dank
420 Strain G13 IPA
This aromatic super-hybrid sticky IPA is first and foremost a phenomenally delicious and drinkable beer, with the added bonus of an olfactory experience that mimics that of the legendary G13 cannabis strain. The IPA base brew has a great body, good head and nice amount of haze at a pleasurable 6% ABV. To work with the malt bill, the brewers added some of their dankest hops, Columbus and Simcoe, plus two dry hop additions. To achieve the aroma, brewers bind the perfect botanically-sourced, strain specific terpenes and married them with proprietary natural hemp-type flavor, both perfectly complementing the hops in the IPA.
ABV 6%
IBUs 48
Malt Bill: 2 Row Malt, Wheat, Flaked Oats
Hops: Columbus, Simcoe
Dry Hop: A double dose of Simcoe and Columbus
Flavor Profile: Dank, citrus, earthy, resiny
420 Strain Mango Kush
A second sticky hit from 420 Strain, an American Wheat packed with herbal, juicy mango notes and a distinctive dank nose. Strain specific terpenes and natural hemp-type flavors complement the hop and malt bill, delivering a euphoric ale with that fresh olfactory bonus rip.
ABV 5%
IBUs 3
Malt Bill: Pilsner, White Wheat, Flaked Wheat
Hops: Sultana, El Dorado
Dry Hop: none
Flavor Profile: Dank, tropical, herbal, juicy, melon
420 Strain Trainwreck
The Strain keeps rolling along with this hazy double IPA. Aromas of citrusy orange hit first with a caboose full of vanilla and pine notes following. Billowing dank aroma and strain-specific terpenes jump the whole thing off the rails.
Flowing year-round as of February 2020.
ABV 8%
IBUs 77
Malt Bill: 2-Row, Pilsner, Wheat, Oat
Hops: Amarillo, Lotus, Bravo, Centennial, Azacca
Dry Hop: Amarillo, Lotus, Bravo, Centennial, Azacca
Flavor Profile: Citrus, vanilla, pine
“We are excited by the opportunity to join a leading global cannabis company and build a successful future based on the strengths we both bring to this combination,” said Bensch. “We will leverage our growing beverage offering and build an even stronger, more diversified company with a continued focus on authentic and distinctive brands using some of the freshest, most flavorful ingredients to create innovative and high quality beverages including beers, seltzers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages that our loyal and growing consumer base has come to expect from SweetWater.”
The deal is expected to close before the end of December 2020.