Big Grove Brewery has teamed up with Climbing Kites, Iowa’s pioneer in cannabis-infused sparkling water, with plans to expand Climbing Kites’ availability to more states.
Climbing Kites, founded in early 2023 by Lua Brewing’s team and co-founder Scott Selix, has swiftly expanded across Iowa, becoming a popular social THC beverage brand. “This partnership just made sense for Climbing Kites,” said Mr. Selix. Combining forces with Big Grove to leverage their scale and route to market “will allow us to keep up with existing demand and continue the growth of the product line up,” he said.
“(Climbing Kites) hits on all levels for people looking for a great alternative to some of our other products,” said Dave Moore, Chief Growth Officer of Big Grove, who was appointed to a dual role as CEO of Climbing Kites. While financial details of the purchase are undisclosed, the brewery sees promise in the brand as a non-beer alternative to “deliver a different feeling that consumers are looking for,” he said.
Big Grove taprooms have seen guests embrace the rising popularity of the Climbing Kites brand. “So many people ask about it, and we’re trying to educate them in parallel,” said Andrew Mitchell, General Manager of the Big Grove Cedar Rapids taproom. “As an open and social place, we now have this cannabis beverage that guests can enjoy on our patio or take home with them.”
The 2018 Farm Bill and the 2019 Iowa Hemp Act paved the way for cannabis-infused beverages by legalizing consumable hemp products federally and statewide. Climbing Kites now offers a range of flavors with THC levels of 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg, along with different CBD concentrations.
The breweries have been limiting sales to those of legal drinking age and focusing on staff and consumer education around the products. “It’s a new and evolving product, and we’re handling it as such. As with anything, we’re excited but going about this the right way,” added Mitchell.
Climbing Kites currently offers four flavors: Mixed Berry, Pineapple Passion Fruit, Orange Mango, and Peach Prickly Pear. “We’ve been excited to partner and collaborate with Climbing Kites not just for the brands and products as they stand today, but also for innovation within this new space,” said Mr. Moore. The company will introduce two new flavors, a Grapefruit Guava flavor that contains only THC, and a Key Lime Kiwi flavor that includes caffeine.
Climbing Kites’ beverages contain no alcohol and are gluten-free, vegan, and all-natural, with zero calories or sugar, which adds to their appeal.
Big Grove has a strong history of collaboration with Mr. Selix and Lua Brewing, dating back to Mr. Selix’s early brewing days at Big Grove. While both breweries will continue their usual operations, the partnership specifically focuses on the Climbing Kites brand.
“We’re thrilled to embark on this journey together,” said Mr. Moore. “Now, we’re paving the way forward alongside Climbing Kites, this innovative and rising brand…I can’t wait to see it soar.”
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