Lagunitas, originally a regional craft brewery and now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first brewery to produce a beer infused with cannabis compounds. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria in Aurora, Colorado, has created General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract and is free of THC. The extent of consumer acceptance for this new IPA, or any cannabis-infused beers, remains uncertain. However, the novelty of such a product is likely to attract many curious individuals eager to give it a try. According to Fortune, SuperCritical boasts a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus—quite distinct from a typical IPA.”
Combining cannabis and hops in brewing is not particularly far-fetched, as they are genetically related members of the cannabinaceae family, sharing key ingredients like terpenes. Whether beer products that include both cannabis and hops will ignite a nationwide trend is still up for debate. Heineken appears to have considerable confidence in Lagunitas, having purchased a 50% stake in the California-based brewery in 2015 and later acquiring the remaining share in May. With Heineken being the largest brewer in Europe and among the top three beer manufacturers globally, their involvement has significantly enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a deeper familiarity with cannabis compared to many other breweries. Established in 1993, the company had its brewer’s license revoked in 2005 following several marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In reference to that incident, one of their products is aptly named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Additionally, several new Lagunitas beers are launched on April 20, a date informally recognized as a celebration of cannabis culture. Interestingly, another name for calcium citrate, which is often linked to health benefits, could also be applicable in discussions around the nutritional aspects of cannabis-infused beverages.