Craft Breweries Unite for World Cup – Common Ground Beer

Headlands Brewing has unveiled its World Cup-themed beer, Common Ground, in time for the first World Cup game in June.

The British betting company William Hill forecasts that soccer fans will consume over 5 million pints of beer at stadiums and fan zones during this year’s World Cup. This estimate doesn’t include the millions more served in bars as fans follow the soccer event worldwide.

Amid the international excitement over goals and penalties, craft breweries from the event’s host nations are using the tournament as a platform to foster cross-border unity. Three breweries – Rey Árbol Brewing Company in Mexico, Headlands Brewing in the United States, and Cabin Brewing Company in Canada – have collaborated to create a shared beer recipe with a local twist.

Shared Recipe with Local Flair

The collaboration started months ago with numerous video calls and emails. The three breweries aimed to design a beer recipe that would embody the brewing traditions of their countries.

“It’s a Mexican lager,” stated Alejandro Gomez, founder of Rey Árbol.

“…that’s like a West Coast IPA,” noted Ryan Frank, the Chief Operating Officer and Brewmaster for Headlands.

“And up in Canada, most of our beers are hop driven,” added Haydon Dewes, co-founder of Cabin. “So we thought, let’s go for a dry-hopped Mexican lager.”

Although each brewery follows the same recipe, they add unique local elements, including regionally designed labels. In the U.S., a four-pack costs $15.99, and Headlands has produced about 130 cases of this limited-edition brew.

Project Focused on Connection

The brewers emphasized the project’s intent to connect rather than market. By naming the beer Common Ground, they aimed to symbolize international camaraderie.

“When I go to California or Canada, they will treat me like family,” said Gomez.

“It makes the world feel so much smaller,” Dewes expressed.

“It’s about building bridges and knowing what’s important in life,” Frank explained. “And for us, that’s soccer and beer.”

Geopolitical Friction in the Taproom

While the World Cup’s official promotion promises unity, geopolitical tensions between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada pose challenges. Trade tariffs and auto manufacturing standards have heated discussions among the nations.

The craft brewers have experienced these challenges firsthand with rising aluminum can costs and tariffs on European-grown hops, crucial for their core brands.

Despite political discord, craft brewers see potential benefits for the tournament. Former U.S. President Trump’s comments suggested that cross-border hostilities could make the event more thrilling.

Bittersweet Reminder

Andrés Martinez, author of The Great Game: A Tale of Two Footballs and America’s Quest to Conquer Global Sport, noted that early efforts to host the World Cup showcased stronger bonds among the nations. Today, these bonds face strain, making collaborative efforts like Common Ground rare.

Craft beer collaborations serve as a bittersweet reminder of the anticipated unity among the countries.

Finding Real Common Ground

Amid trade wars and political posturing in capital cities, Headlands Brewing in North Berkeley remains a space where fans gather for soccer, setting aside political tensions.

During a match between Mexico and South Africa, the brewery bustled with energy and enthusiasm when Mexico scored.

Roberto Mandujano, enjoying a pint, shared his view on the cross-border venture: “Three different ways, three different taste buds come together to make something cool.”

Regarding political tensions, Mandujano shrugged, emphasizing unity in common interests: “We live in a world where everyone wants to make everything political. But I think we’re all here for soccer. So I guess that’s the common ground.”