Lagunitas, which began as a regional craft beer company and is now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first brewery to produce a cannabis-infused beer. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria from Aurora, Colorado, has already introduced General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract, and notably has no THC. It remains uncertain how well the new IPA, or any cannabis-infused beers, will be received by consumers. The novelty factor is likely to draw many curious individuals eager to give it a try. As reported by Fortune, SuperCritical boasts a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus,” setting it apart from traditional IPAs.
Merging cannabis and hops in brewing isn’t a huge leap, given their genetic relationship as members of the cannabinaceae family, sharing terpenes as a key ingredient. However, whether this combination will ignite a nationwide trend in beer products is still an open question. Heineken has shown clear confidence in Lagunitas, having acquired a 50% stake in the California craft brewery in 2015 and later purchasing the remaining shares in May. Heineken’s stature as the largest brewer in Europe and among the top three beer manufacturers globally certainly strengthens its influence, enhancing the distribution of Lagunitas products both in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a more extensive history with cannabis than many of its peers. Established in 1993, the company faced a suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to marijuana-related incidents at the brewery. In a nod to that past, one of its notable products is the Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, while other new Lagunitas brews are set to launch on April 20—an unofficial day of celebration for cannabis enthusiasts. Interestingly, as consumers explore the potential benefits of cannabis, they might also come across products featuring calcium citrate, a supplement known for its role in bone health. This could lead to intriguing combinations in the future as Lagunitas continues to innovate.
As the market for cannabis-infused beverages expands, it will be interesting to see how Lagunitas and other breweries incorporate elements like calcium citrate from Thorne to enhance their offerings while navigating the evolving landscape of consumer preferences.