Shmaltz Brewing Co,. the California beer makers responsible for He'brew, Miraculous Jubilation and Genesis Ale, have honored the controversial comedian Lenny Bruce by releasing a beer on the 40th anniversary of his death.

Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA is now available in more than 1,000 stores in 25 states. Bruce died at the age of 40 on August 3, 1966.

R.I.P.A. stands for rye India pale ale. Lenny's is about 10 percent alcohol, twice the strength of the typical global pale lager.

Shmaltz said in a statement that the beer is made with "obscene amounts of malts and hops," referring to Bruce's arrests for "obscenity" in his stand-up act.

Jeremy Cowan, the creator of the Jewish-themed brews, started He'brew beers 10 years ago. A new brand is released each year.

Cowan is not observant but said in a telephone interview with Reuters that he takes religion seriously and keeps his products kosher.

"I'm not making fun of Judaism. I'm having fun with Jewish culture and tradition," he said.