SweetWater Brewing
Atlanta, Georgia
SweetWater 420 Fest 2024 pivots, now free
SweetWater 420 Fest, held April 20th and 21st at Pullman Yards in Atlanta now offers free general admission tickets with a donation to Waterkeeper Fund
2024 marks SweetWater Brewing’s 420 Fest’s return to a larger format music festival. When initially announced, the headlining acts included Beck, Slightly Stoopid, and Black Pumas.
Today, the brewery has announced a major change to the music lineup and pricing structure. The previously mentioned musical talent will not appear this year, and general admission tickets are now free, with a $10 donation to their non-profit partner, Waterkeeper Alliance.
The reason for the sudden pivot is explained by the brewery this way:
“We’ve thought a lot about the direction of SweetWater 420 Fest and decided to add a hefty dose of eco-awareness and grassroots energy back into this amazing party, which will be the rager it’s always been,” said Ty Gilmore, President of U.S. Beers for Tilray Brands. “SweetWater 420 Fest started as a free Earth Day bash, and that inspired us to reimagine this year’s event with a single-stage format, a lineup that taps into the festival’s jam and groove roots, and a significant charitable component to help the environment. It’s a win-win for everyone: for a modest donation, our fans get to see some of our favorite bands in a uniquely intimate setting and collectively support the Waterkeeper Alliance’s crucial work to keep our rivers and oceans clean and healthy.”
Refunds will be issued to those who already purchased tickets. The festival will still go on as planned on April 21-22, with the amended musical lineup below.
Tickets can be acquired online through the festival site, or by clicking here.
SweetWater acquires Green Flash & Alpine Beer
Atlanta, Georgia-based SweetWater Brewing has acquired the Mira Mesa, California-based Green Flash Brewing, and Alpine Beer brands.
SweetWater is not acquiring the facility or brewing equipment, that will apparently remain with current owners to be put up for sale or other entrepreneurship opportunities.
Green Flash and Alpine beer production will move to SweetWater’s newly opened Fort Collins, Colorado facility.
Just over a year ago, SweetWater Brewery was acquired for $300 million dollars by Aphria, a Canadian-based cannabis company. The deal in part due to the brewery’s successfully ‘420 Strain’ of beers created using cannabis terpenes (organic smell compounds).
Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.
SweetWater Brewery is ranked 11th overall in annual production according to the Brewer’s Association.
Developing story. Check back for more details.
Atlanta Beer Week Opening Party 2012
Pics from the carnival-themed kickoff party for Atlanta Beer Week 2012, held at SweetWater Brewing Company on October 19, 2012.
Special sponsors- Savannah Distributing, United Distributing, Beer Street Journal, Taco Mac, Porter Beer Bar, & more.
Atlanta’s SweetWater acquires Red Truck Brewing, announces west coast brewery
Atlanta based SweetWater Brewing Company has announced a new production facility, taproom, and restaurant in Fort Collins, Colorado.
This week, SweetWater acquired Red Truck Brewing, a Canadian brewery that bought the brewery from Fort Collins Brewing back in 2017. Red Truck closed its doors in March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, and never reopened. The amount of the purchase has not been disclosed.
The 32,450 square foot space will see brewing and packaging equipment upgrades, as well as a taproom and restaurant overhaul.
Late last year, SweetWater was acquired Canadian based cannabis company, Aphria Inc., a sale highly motivated by the success of the brewery’s 420 Strain Series of beers.
Additionally, the Denver Airport will soon be home to a SweetWater airport bar location, joining Last Call Bar and Grill in Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport.
SweetWater ranks 11th in overall production volume amongst craft brewers in U.S. for calendar year 2020 according to the Brewers Association, currently distributing to 34 states.
The brewery opened in 1997.
SweetWater Brewing acquired by cannabis company Aphria
Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company has been acquired by Aphria Inc., a cannabis company. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2020.
The “420 Strain” brands are the central focus of Ontario based Aphria, which started with 420 Strain G13 IPA. This acquisition is Aphria’s first venture in the United States.
Rumors have circulated around the Atlanta beer scene for years about a potential SweetWater Brewing sale. The fact it’s ultimately a cannabis company involved in the acquisition is surprising to many.
Founder Freddy Bensch had been in town from his home in Telluride, Colorado this week. Most employees were not informed of the acquisition until the press release hit the newswire.
According to Aphria, SweetWater’s management team will remain in place, along with 125 brewery employees. Bensch will remain CEO of SweetWater, reporting to Irwin D. Simon, CEO of Aphria, Inc.
Aphria, Inc (Nasdaq: APHA) is a leading world medical cannabis company, founded in 2013. According to the company’s 2019 annual report, Aphria has cultivation licenses in 10 countries, including Canada, Italy, Germany, and South Africa. The acquisition marks Aphria’s effort to capitalize on the burgeoning U.S. cannabis market. As of market close on November 4th, the company’s stock price is valued at $4.97 USD per share.
In early 2018, SweetWater debuted the 420 Strain Series of beers using terpenes (organic smell compounds) isolated from various famous cannabis strains. G13 IPA was the inaugural release and was the brewery’s second best-selling beer within a few months.
Aphria states the $300 million dollar acquisition will position the company with a platform and infrastructure within the states to access the U.S. market should cannabis be federally legalized in the future. 5 states legalized cannabis as a result of this week’s elections. The pickup of SweetWater will diversify the company’s revenue mix, as well as open up massive cross-selling opportunities in both U.S. and Canada.
Upon closing, SweetWater Brewing Company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aphria, Inc. SweetWater receives $250 million in cash plus $50 million in Aphria stock. Additionally, SweetWater is eligible to receive up to $66 million of additional cash under an earnout through the end of the calendar year 2023
SweetWater Brewing Company was founded in 1997 and currently has distribution in 27 states. As of 2019, the brewery was ranked 14th in volume nationally by the Brewer’s Association.
SweetWater Brewing applies for distilling license, weed terpene hard seltzer coming
SweetWater Brewing Company, Georgia’s largest craft brewery made changes over the past few years. After the laws in Georgia changed to allow for the direct sale of beer to customers, the brewery ripped out their current taproom and added an in-house restaurant.
Additionally, SweetWater all-stars 420 Extra Pale Ale and IPA were joined by massively successful “420 Strain” series of beers filled with marijuana flavored organic terpenes. The 420 Strain “G13” IPA jumped to SweetWater’s second best-selling beer in their year-round lineup.
2020 at SweetWater is already revealing even more additions to the brewery operations, most notably a distillery. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, SweetWater has acquired a distillery license with the state of Georgia. Currently, the brewery is located across the street from another distillery, American Spirit Whiskey on Ottley Drive.
At least two other breweries in Georgia hold distilling licenses, including Dry County Brewing in Kennesaw, and Wild Leap Brewing in LaGrange.
Also this month, SweetWater will be debuting fruited, terpene heavy hard seltzers. The marijuana-themed series of releases inspired by legacy weed strains have been extremely successful for the brewery, and with massive growth in the hard seltzer category, the brewery is marrying the two into one new product line.
Test batches of “Hydroponics” Terpene Infused Hard & Heady Seltzer have been available on tap in the brewery’s taproom over the past few weeks. Flavors include Black Cherry, Forbidden Fruit, and Lime Haze. The seltzers are 5% alcohol by volume – no confirmation of the calorie content. Category leaders White Claw and Truly are around 100 calories per serving.
SweetWater Hydroponics Hard Seltzer will be available in both cans and draft by the end of January.
Artwork subject to change.
SweetWater 420 Strain Chocolope
SweetWater 420 Strain Chocolope
Style: Stout (w/ Chocolate)
Availability:
