Headlands Brewing launched its World Cup-themed beer Common Ground ahead of the first World Cup game in June. As eager fans gear up for the tournament, British betting company William Hill forecasts that over 5 million pints will be consumed in stadiums and fan zones. These figures do not include the extensive consumption in bars where fans will follow the highly anticipated soccer event.
While soccer enthusiasts focus on the excitement of goals and penalties, three craft breweries from the tournament’s host nations are using this opportunity to foster cross-border collaboration. A shared recipe with local spin
describes their journey. Brewmasters from Rey Árbol Brewing Company in Mexico, Headlands Brewing in the United States, and Cabin Brewing Company in Canada commenced their collaboration through video chats and emails months ago.
The breweries united to create a beer that combines the brewing traditions of all three nations. Alejandro Gomez of Rey Árbol noted, “It’s a Mexican lager.” Ryan Frank from Headlands characterized it as akin to a West Coast IPA. Haydon Dewes of Cabin Brewing explained, “So we thought, let’s go for a dry-hopped Mexican lager.” Although they share an identical recipe, each brewery has given the beer a local twist and distinctive regional labeling. A four-pack of the U.S version retails for $15.99, with Headlands Brewing producing approximately 130 cases.
The driving force behind this creation is connection. Gomez expressed how the project fosters familial bonds, stating, “When I go to California or Canada, they will treat me like family.” Dewes added, “It’s about building bridges and knowing what’s important in life.” For the brewers, the essentials are clear: soccer and beer.
Geopolitical friction in the taproom
captures the less idealistic side of things. Despite the official optimism surrounding World Cup 2026, geopolitical tensions have surfaced concerning trade tariffs and manufacturing standards among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Rising costs of aluminum cans and ingredients are tangible impacts for the brewers.
Frank highlighted, “There are 15% tariffs slapped on any European-grown hops, which are really critical to some of our core brands.” Even with political discord, former President Trump suggested cross-border hostilities might add excitement to the tournament.
A bittersweet reminder
reflects the dynamics beyond the soccer pitch. Andrés Martinez, co-director of Arizona State University’s Great Game Lab and author of The Great Game: A Tale of Two Footballs and America’s Quest to Conquer Global Sport, remarked on the evolving relationship since the collaborative bid to host the World Cup in 2017. Initially, the aim was to showcase the tight bonds. As relations have since deteriorated, collaborations like Common Ground have become rare, marking an anomaly for this tournament.
Finding the real common ground
reveals where true camaraderie lies. At Headlands Brewing‘s North Berkeley site, fans gathered to witness a match between Mexico and South Africa. Roberto Mandujano, a soccer fan, celebrated the fusion created by these breweries. Despite underlying political tensions, he emphasized, “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.”