Lagunitas Faces Class Action Over PFAS in Beer
A San Francisco man alleges the brewer sold beer with PFAS levels above EPA enforceable limits without disclosure.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Beer
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Nathaniel Talbot filed a class action Monday in the Northern District of California against Lagunitas Brewing Company, alleging it sold beer containing PFAS levels the EPA has found pose health risks without disclosing them. Independent testing arranged by Talbot found four Lagunitas samples contained nearly seven times the EPA's enforceable limit for perfluorooctanoic acid.
Why it matters
PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they do not degrade naturally in the environment, and the case raises questions about whether consumers of California-brewed beer are being informed about chemical exposure. The complaint ties concern to an April 2025 study that tested 23 beers for 17 PFAS compounds.
Independent testing arranged by plaintiff Nathaniel Talbot found four Lagunitas beer samples with perfluorooctanoic acid at nearly seven times the EPA's enforceable limit and perfluorononanoic acid at about four times the current limit. The source does not report a response from the brewer or results from an accredited laboratory.
The players
Nathaniel Talbot
A San Francisco resident and plaintiff who says he regularly purchased and consumed Lagunitas beer and would buy it again if assured it is free of PFAS.
Lagunitas Brewing Company
A craft brewer founded in Lagunitas, California and headquartered in Petaluma, California, and the defendant in the class action.
The details
Talbot became concerned after the April 2025 study on PFAS in tap water and beer, and arranged testing on four Lagunitas samples from around the country. The complaint alleges Lagunitas brewed, packaged, marketed and sold beer without disclosing the PFAS levels, and brings claims of breach of implied warranty, unfair competition, and violations of the Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
Timeline
April 2025: Independent study tests 23 beers for 17 PFAS compounds
Monday: Class action filed in the Northern District of California
Industry Context
The lawsuit follows the April 2025 independent study that tested 23 beers for 17 PFAS compounds, moving its findings from research into litigation against a specific California brewer. Whether other brewers face similar claims will depend on how the Northern District of California handles the complaint.
Consumers who buy California craft beer may want to watch for PFAS disclosures and any testing results that emerge from this case. The allegations are unproven, so readers should treat the claims as the plaintiff's position until a court rules.
The takeaway
The case shows how independent testing can move PFAS concerns from scientific studies into consumer litigation. Readers who want to follow the outcome can track filings in the Northern District of California.
Further reading
For more on the beer industry, see our Beer coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Court House News Service.
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