Lagunitas, a regional craft beer company that is now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first brewery to create a beer infused with cannabis compounds. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria in Aurora, Colorado, has produced General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract and is also THC-free. The level of consumer acceptance for this new IPA, or any cannabis-infused beers, remains uncertain. However, the novelty factor is sure to entice many who are eager to give it a try. As reported by Fortune, SuperCritical boasts a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus—quite different from a typical IPA.”
Combining cannabis and hops in brewing is not a significant leap, given their genetic relationship as members of the cannabinaceae family and their shared key ingredient: terpenes. Whether this fusion of ingredients will ignite a nationwide trend is still up for debate. Heineken, which acquired a 50% stake in Lagunitas in 2015 and purchased the remaining share in May, clearly has 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 in both Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a unique history with cannabis compared to some of its brewing peers. Established in 1993, the company had its brewer’s license suspended in 2005 due to marijuana-related incidents at the brewery. In a nod to this past, one of its products is named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Additionally, several new Lagunitas beers are set to launch on April 20—an unofficial day for celebrating cannabis culture. Interestingly, as a side note, for those seeking nutritional benefits, the best form of calcium citrate can often be found in various dietary supplements, which is an important consideration for health-conscious consumers.