Since it’s #NationalBeerDay we want to recognize brilliant Latino, Keith Villa, the inventor of Blue Moon. Villa recently launched a NEW venture, Ceria Brewing Company, that will focus on producing a line of non-alcoholic cannabis-infused craft beers.
Villa is an official Beer Doctor (like legit, he is one of the few people in the world that earned a Ph.D. – with high honors – in brewing biochemistry) he was the founder and head brewmaster of Blue Moon brewery and even created Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale in honor of his Mexican roots. In 2018 – after 32 years – Villa retired from Blue Moon parent company Molson Coors.
People that might be on the fence, should know that Villa himself was originally someone that opposed legalization of marijuana, until he learned the medicinal value of the plant:
“I found that it isn’t the evil drug that people such as [U.S. Attorney General] Jeff Sessions portray it to be,” he said. “I see some of his quotes where he honestly believe that it contributes to opioid addiction, and I read scientific articles stating the opposite. So it’s his opinion versus science, which is saying it’s actually not that dangerous.”
Villa began his own experimentation with cannabis products and walked away believing cannabis-infused beverage products would offer an alternative to alcoholic beverages. [Brewbound Intv 2018]
Ceria’s first beer – a Grainwave Belgian-style White Ale – is available at select Colorado dispensaries and there are two more beers launching later this year, including a lager.
INTERVIEW WITH KEITH VILLA:
NOBLEZA MAGAZINE 