Lagunitas, once a regional craft beer brewery and now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first to create a beer infused with cannabis compounds. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria, located in Aurora, Colorado, has previously launched General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains around 4 mg of cannabinoids sourced from industrial hemp extract and does not include THC. Consumer acceptance of this new IPA or any cannabis-infused beers remains uncertain. However, the novelty of such products is likely to draw in many curious consumers eager to try them out. According to Fortune, SuperCritical offers a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus,” making it quite distinct from a typical IPA.
Blending cannabis and hops in brewing isn’t a far-fetched idea since both are genetically related members of the Cannabinaceae family, sharing terpenes as a key component. The real question is whether these combined ingredients will ignite a nationwide trend. Heineken appears confident in Lagunitas, having initially acquired a 50% stake in the California-based craft brewery in 2015 before purchasing the remaining shares in May. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken has significantly enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products in both Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a deeper familiarity with cannabis than many other breweries. Established in 1993, the company faced a suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to marijuana-related incidents at the brewery. In reference to this history, one of its offerings is the Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Additionally, new Lagunitas beers are often launched on April 20, a day informally recognized for celebrating marijuana use. With the increasing interest in health and wellness, the incorporation of products like bluebonnet calcium citrate and vitamin D3 into their offerings could appeal to a wider audience, further blending the worlds of craft beer and health-conscious consumers.