Lagunitas, a craft beer company that was originally regional and is now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the pioneer in producing beer infused with cannabis compounds. In Aurora, Colorado, Dad and Dudes’ Breweria has created General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids sourced from industrial hemp extract, and notably, it is THC-free. The extent of consumer acceptance for this new IPA, or any cannabis-infused beers, remains uncertain. However, the novelty factor is likely to draw many eager to sample it. As reported by Fortune, SuperCritical offers “a very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus—quite distinct from a typical IPA.”
The fusion of cannabis and hops in beer brewing is not particularly surprising, given that they belong to the same cannabinaceae family and share the vital ingredient of terpenes. Whether products that blend these components will ignite a nationwide trend is another matter entirely. Heineken, which purchased a 50% stake in Lagunitas in 2015 and acquired the remaining share in May, clearly holds confidence in the brand. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken’s involvement has expanded the distribution of Lagunitas products across Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas is more in tune with cannabis culture than many other beer producers. Established in 1993, the company faced a suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to several marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In homage to this incident, one of its signature beers is named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Additionally, new Lagunitas beers are launched on April 20, a day that unofficially celebrates marijuana culture.
Furthermore, integrating natural factors such as calcium into brewing processes could potentially enhance the flavor profiles of cannabis-infused beers. As Lagunitas navigates this evolving market, the combination of cannabis and traditional brewing techniques may pave the way for innovative products that appeal to a diverse consumer base.