In January 2018, Keith Villa, the creator and former brewmaster of Blue Moon, co-founded Ceria Brewing with his wife Jodi. Using his knowledge of beer and THC, Keith developed a unique brewing process that produces 0.00% ABV beer with amazing flavor you’d never expect in a non-alcoholic beer.
Grainwave is a refreshing medium-bodied Belgian-style white ale brewed with blood orange peel and coriander. It’s then dealcoholized to 0.00% ABV and marketed as an alcohol-free, calorie-free beer.
Grainwave
Grainwave is a refreshing, zero percent alcohol Belgian-style beer brewed with blood orange peel and coriander. The terpenes limonene and linalool in these spices are known to inhibit inflammation and reduce anxiety, promoting a chill mindset.
Grainwave pours a bright, hazy straw color with a light off-white head that maintains its presence throughout the glass. It has a sweet citrus aroma and flavors of candied orange peel with spice notes like white peppercorn, coriander and chamomile.
It’s thin and light in body with low bitterness and a surprisingly light grassy-earthy Saaz-like hop character. The underlying sweetness and fruitiness of the orange peel are more prominent than the typical wheat malt character in a witbier, which is to be expected with this type of beer.
Ceria brewing is the brainchild of brewmaster Keith Villa, who holds a PhD in brewing sciences (it is a thing). He previously founded Blue Moon beer, but has since left MillerCoors to start his own company.
Indiewave
Founded by Keith Villa, an industry legend (and beer doctor) who created Blue Moon, Ceria is dedicated to offering a more health conscious choice for the craft brew community. Its first offerings are two completely alcohol-free beer styles, a Belgian White and an IPA.
Indiewave is a flavorful, yet non-alcoholic IPA that perfectly balances Cascade, Citra and Amarillo hops with light caramel malts for a smooth citrus character. It also contains myrcene and humulene, which are anti-inflammatory and aid relaxation to improve overall wellness.
It pours a medium amber hue with good carbonation that helps define a rich, foamy head. The aroma reveals notes of citrus zest, with floral and herbal hops – grapefruit, orange and lemon.
It is a medium-bodied, slightly more subdued and balanced version of an IPA that could win over anyone who says they aren’t an IPA fan. It tastes more like a West Coast style IPA than an East Coast IPA, with a desired bitterness that builds on the hops’ zest.
AF
Founded by Keith Villa, the man behind Blue Moon, and his wife Jodi in 2018, ceria brewing produces two alcohol-free (AF) beers that don’t skimp on the flavor. Their AF flagship, Grainwave AF is an unfiltered Belgian-style white ale with a healthy helping of blood orange peel and coriander for an elevated taste profile.
The brewery also makes a high-end AF beer with THC infused in it that is truly a craft beer in the making, if the FDA’s distinction of a craft beer is any indication. It’s not the only craft brew to hit the market, of course, but it is one of the most innovative and interesting ones out there. With a thought-provoking new brand identity that pays homage to Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of the harvest, ceria is set to make a big impact on the AF craft beverage market. We’re excited to see what the future holds for the nascent company.
CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that’s often used for pain relief and mental health. It’s typically available in a variety of products, including oils, balms, and edibles.
A few breweries are making a special kind of beer that contains CBD. This CBD-infused beer is made by infusing a non-alcoholic flavor base with hops and barley and then adding a nano-emulsified form of CBD.
In some studies, hemp-derived CBD has shown to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. It also appears to have a positive effect on the body’s endocannabinoid system.
However, it can interact with certain drugs and may cause side effects like drowsiness and increased doses of other medications. These drugs include benzodiazepine sedatives, such as Klonopin or Ativan; immune-suppressants, such as Sandimmune; and opioid painkillers.
Hemp-derived CBD products are legal in the United States for as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. They are also legal in many other countries, though their sale or use is regulated by local laws.