Lagunitas, which started as a regional craft beer company and is now fully owned by Heineken International, isn’t the first brewery to produce a beer infused with cannabis compounds. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria from Aurora, Colorado, has created General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract, and notably, it also has no THC. The level of consumer acceptance for this new IPA, or any cannabis-infused beers, remains uncertain. However, the novelty alone is likely to draw many curious individuals eager to give it a try. According to Fortune, SuperCritical possesses a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus—quite distinct from a typical IPA.”
Combining cannabis and hops in brewing isn’t a huge leap, as they are genetically related members of the Cannabinaceae family and share terpenes as a key ingredient. The question remains whether products that incorporate both will ignite a nationwide trend. One entity that clearly believes in Lagunitas is Heineken, which acquired a 50% share of the California-based craft brewery in 2015 and later purchased the remaining stake in May. Heineken’s significant influence as the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally has enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products across Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a more extensive background with cannabis compared to many other breweries. Founded in 1993, the company faced the suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In reference to this incident, one of its notable products is called Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Additionally, several new Lagunitas beers are set to launch on April 20, a day unofficially recognized for celebrating cannabis use. Interestingly, in the 21st century, the incorporation of cannabis compounds into beverages, alongside ingredients like calcium citrate D3, is becoming increasingly popular, reflecting a broader trend in the beverage industry.