Ceria 2024: Alcohol Free Beer in its Truest Form
Keith Villa, legendary brewmaster and founder of Ceria Brewing Company, along with his wife Jodi and daughter Catherine, leads the charge at this family-run establishment. Inspired by the ancient Roman goddess of harvest, Ceres, Ceria's name symbolizes their commitment to brewing exceptional beer. With a dedication to craft and a penchant for innovation, Ceria offers a unique take on alcohol-free beer, delivering the flavor profile of a top-tier brewery. DeliveryRank finds out more.
Keith, what inspired the creation of Ceria and the decision to focus on alcohol-free craft beer?
The inspiration behind Ceria came when I retired from Molson Coors. My wife and I started a company dedicated to making alcohol-free (AF) beer in the United States. Our first venture was into the industry of alcohol-free beer with cannabis. We infused our Belgian white with five milligrams of THC, and our IPA had 10 milligrams of THC plus 10 milligrams of CBD. We were in the market for about two years, but the federal illegality of cannabis made business very difficult. We decided to pull back and wait on the sidelines until federal legalization.
In the meantime, we noticed the growing NA (non-alcoholic) category and decided to offer our AF craft beers without cannabis. We launched our alcohol-free beers in 2020, and they have been growing nicely ever since. We believe we make some of the best alcohol-free beers in the world, with 0.00% alcohol, meaning absolutely no measurable alcohol. It's important to clarify that the legal definition of non-alcoholic beer in the US, per the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) means that the beer is less than 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume); versus alcohol-free beer, which must contain no measurable alcohol whatsoever, per the TTB. Most non-alcoholic beers in the United States are non-alcoholic, with some minimal amount of alcohol. Ceria’s beers are the only craft beers that are truly alcohol-free in the US that we know of.
Can you tell us more about the unique brewing methods and processes Ceria uses to produce alcohol-free beer with full flavor?
I've written articles about crafting alcohol-free and non-alcoholic beer. We found that existing methods didn't deliver the type of beer we envisioned. We wanted a brew with body, flavor, aroma, and a full head that resembled, smelled, and tasted like traditional beer. So, I had to invent a new method. Our process is now a proprietary, patented method for making alcohol-free beer. With this process, we believe we produce some of the best beer around, with the added benefit of being alcohol-free.
Achieving true alcohol-free status is challenging, but we've proven it can be done. Our products have won numerous awards in the US and globally. My background includes earning my PhD in brewing from the University of Brussels in Belgium, which has equipped me with the technical knowledge to create an alcohol-free beer while maintaining the great flavors of a true craft beer.
How does Ceria ensure that its alcohol-free craft beers maintain the same quality and taste as traditional craft beers?
Our patented method of brewing sets us apart, but it's not just the patent that makes our beer exceptional. We meticulously select the best ingredients available, especially for our Belgian-style white ale, which includes oats, wheat, coriander, orange peel, and high-quality hops. Drawing from my 32-year career at Molson Coors, where I created the globally renowned Blue Moon beer, I have the expertise to craft flavorful beers that resonate with consumers.
Ceria’s beers not only boast a 0.00% alcohol content but are also pasteurized, ensuring their stability and safety. Pasteurization is critical in the world of non-alcoholic and alcohol-free products, as it prevents the growth of harmful microorganisms that could otherwise pose health risks to consumers. While it may be surprising, some craft-brewed non-alcoholic beers in the US are not pasteurized, highlighting Ceria’s commitment to delivering the highest quality and safest products to our consumers.
In what ways does Ceria strive to contribute to the craft beer industry and the larger community?
I've been deeply involved in the world of craft brewing, first as creator of Blue Moon beer, but particularly with Ceria Brewing Company. I've authored numerous articles on non-alcoholic and alcohol-free beer and collaborated with the Brewers Association to raise awareness about the nuances and challenges of brewing non-alcoholic and alcohol-free beer. In addition, I’ve authored the book Brewing With Cannabis, Using THC and CBD in Beer, which dives into the fast-growing cannabis beverage industry and its intersection with the beer industry.
As a certified beer judge since 1993, I've evaluated beers at many beer competitions, contributing technical expertise to both brewers and consumers alike. Ceria actively participates in festivals, conducting tastings to educate people about non-alcoholic, alcohol-free, and regular beer, as we believe in empowering consumers through knowledge.
If you would like to find out more about Ceria, please visit https://ceriabrewing.com/