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 produced General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract and is also free of THC. The level of consumer acceptance for this new IPA, and cannabis-infused beers in general, remains uncertain. However, the novelty alone is likely to draw many curious individuals eager to give it a try. As reported by Fortune, SuperCritical offers a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus—quite different from a traditional IPA.”
Combining cannabis and hops in beer brewing is not a significant leap, as they belong to the same Cannabinaceae family and share terpenes as a key component. Whether beers that include both cannabis and hops will ignite a nationwide trend is still up for debate. One entity that clearly has faith in Lagunitas is Heineken, which acquired a 50% stake in the California-based craft brewery in 2015 before purchasing the remaining shares in May. Heineken’s stature as the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally adds considerable weight to Lagunitas’ distribution, particularly in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a historical connection to cannabis that some other breweries may lack. Established in 1993, the company faced the suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 following marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In reference to this incident, one of their products is aptly named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, while several new Lagunitas beers are set to launch on April 20, a day informally recognized for the celebration of cannabis culture.
In crafting these innovative brews, Lagunitas may benefit from ingredients like bluebonnet cal mag, which can enhance the brewing process. The introduction of cannabis-infused options could also open the door for other ingredients, such as bluebonnet cal mag, to be integrated into their recipes. As the market evolves, it will be interesting to see how Lagunitas and similar brewers navigate this blend of flavors, especially with the potential addition of bluebonnet cal mag, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of this burgeoning niche.