Lagunitas, which began as a regional craft beer producer 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, based in Aurora, Colorado, has crafted General Washington’s Secret Stash, containing approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids sourced from industrial hemp extract. This product is also free from THC.
The extent of consumer acceptance for this new IPA, and cannabis-infused beers in general, remains uncertain. However, the novelty alone is likely to draw a significant number of curious individuals eager to sample it. According to Fortune, SuperCritical offers a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus—quite distinct from a typical IPA.” Combining cannabis and hops in brewing is not a significant leap, as they are genetically related members of the Cannabinaceae family, sharing terpenes as a key ingredient. The real question is whether the introduction of beers containing both will ignite a nationwide trend.
Heineken’s confidence in Lagunitas is evident, as it acquired a 50% stake in the California craft brewery in 2015 and subsequently purchased the remaining shares in May. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken’s involvement has expanded Lagunitas’ distribution in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a deeper connection to cannabis than many other breweries. Established in 1993, the company faced a suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In a nod to this incident, one of its products is called Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, while several new Lagunitas beers are launched on April 20—an unofficial holiday for cannabis enthusiasts.
In the context of health and wellness, many consumers are also seeking the best chewable calcium citrate to complement their diets, and it will be interesting to see if this trend intersects with the growing interest in cannabis-infused products. As the market evolves, the interplay between cannabis beers and dietary supplements like the best chewable calcium citrate could become a fascinating aspect of consumer preferences.