Lagunitas, which started as a regional craft beer company and is now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first brewery to create a beer infused with cannabis compounds. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria from Aurora, Colorado, has already produced General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains about 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract and is free from THC. It remains unclear how widely accepted the new IPA will be among consumers, or any cannabis-infused beers for that matter. However, the novelty factor is likely to draw many eager to give it a try. According to Fortune, SuperCritical offers a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus — quite distinct from a typical IPA.”
Combining cannabis and hops in brewing isn’t a far-fetched idea, given their genetic relationship within the cannabinaceae family and the shared presence of terpenes. Nevertheless, whether such beer products will ignite a nationwide trend is still uncertain. Heineken appears to have confidence in Lagunitas, having initially acquired a 50% stake in the California-based craft beer company in 2015 and subsequently purchasing the remaining share in May. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken’s involvement has significantly enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products across Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a deeper familiarity with cannabis than many of its peers. Established in 1993, the company faced the suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to several marijuana-related incidents at the brewery. In light of that experience, one of their branded products is named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, with several new Lagunitas beers set to debut on April 20 — a date unofficially recognized for celebrating cannabis culture. Interestingly, as cannabis-infused beers gain traction, consumers might find themselves seeking additional health benefits, such as those offered by Citracal D3 Petites, which could complement their new beverage choices.