Ontaria, Canada-based Aphria Inc. has announced its plans to purchase Atlanta, GA's Sweetwater Brewing Co. for a reported $300 million.

This deal will mark the first major deal in the cannabis industry involving craft beer and brewing, and it will allow the Canadian cannabis company a chance to enter into the U.S. market.

“Our 420 brand offerings and SweetWater 420 Fest complement Aphria’s cannabis business and create mutual opportunities for accelerated expansion into other cannabis- and beverage-related products in the U.S. and Canada,” Sweetwater founder and Chief Executive Freddy Bensch said in Wednesday’s announcement.

Indeed, SweetWater has long conveyed a "420-friendly" vibe with its marketing and branding with beers such as 420 Extra Pale Ale and its 420 G13 Strain Series, which is touted for its highly "weedy" aromatics.

SweetWater was founded in 1997, and Bensch will stay on as the company's CEO following the acquisition. SweetWater is the largest brewery in Georgia and was ranked as the 14th-largest craft brewery in the United States by the Brewers Association per 2019 sales data.

The Boston Beer Co. in Boston, Massachusetts has announced a remixed version of its seasonal Winter Lager, which features a crisper and brighter recipe. Full details are below.

BOSTON/PRNewswire/ -- Samuel Adams brewers recognize the winter season will feel different this year, with many Americans taking "home for the holidays" literally. To spread some holiday cheer when drinkers need it most, Samuel Adams celebrates the return of the #1 winter seasonal beer¹, Samuel Adams Winter Lager, with a crisper and brighter remixed recipe and new ways to enjoy holiday favorites from home.

We spoke with Pontoon Brewing Brewmaster Chris Baratz about the far-reaching collaboration beer project Black Is Beautiful, founded by Weathered Souls Brewing in San Antonio, Texas.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
This was obviously Marcus Baskerville's recipe from Weathered Souls Brewing. We loved what we put together and tried to keep it as close to the original recipe as possible so as not to take away from the recipe and what Marcus has accomplished. I did increase the boil time and swapped out some of the roasted barley for some pale chocolate to give it a fun twist. We also added vanilla, coffee and chocolate to put a tiramisu twist on it!

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
The balance and drinkability. It's very smooth and like a malty cold brew with some fun complementary adjunct flavors.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
It comes from the amazing movement that Weathered Souls shouldered. Black is beautiful, and it was amazing to be a part of the cause to better our country and to help fight systemic racism by increasing awareness in our own community.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
We could drink this instead of coffee in the morning, so quite possibly!

We spoke to Pontoon Brewing Brewmaster Chris Baratz about Nightmare Fuel.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
I came up with this one with assistance from the brewing team on the fruit choices. 

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
The strong jammy flavors and the color, which looks like blood!

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
We planned a beer for Halloween Horror Nights in Florida so we wanted to do something spooky that looked like blood.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
This would definitely be a desert island beer! It's extremely drinkable and the ABV is just high enough to only need a couple to get a buzz.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
A jammy sour with big notes of currant, cherries and berries. 

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
We brewed this for Halloween Horror Nights in Florida and moved it up from October to September in order to get it to the park in time. Of course, COVID didn't die down and so when HHN was canceled, we had this very Halloween type beer with no real reason. People loved the label and it worked out but it had us worried for a bit!