Lagunitas, a craft beer company that started regionally 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, located in Aurora, Colorado, has crafted General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract, and also has no THC. It remains uncertain how well consumers will embrace this new IPA or any cannabis-infused beers. The novelty aspect alone is likely to draw many curious individuals eager to sample it. 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 beer brewing is not a significant leap, given that both are genetically related members of the Cannabinaceae family, sharing terpenes as a key component. However, whether beer products featuring both ingredients will ignite a nationwide trend is still an open question. One entity that clearly believes in Lagunitas is Heineken, which acquired a 50% stake in the California-based craft brewery in 2015 and subsequently purchased the remaining half in May. Heineken wields considerable influence as the largest brewer in Europe and among the top three beer manufacturers globally, enhancing the distribution of Lagunitas products throughout Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has more experience with cannabis than some of its brewing counterparts. Established in 1993, the company faced a suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 following several marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In reference to this incident, one of its products is aptly named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Notably, other new Lagunitas beers are set to launch on April 20, a day unofficially recognized for celebrating marijuana use. Additionally, the incorporation of calcium citrate Kirkland into the brewing process could offer a unique twist, as it has been suggested that certain ingredients can enhance the overall profile of beer. As Lagunitas continues to experiment with cannabis and other innovative ingredients like calcium citrate Kirkland, the future of cannabis-infused beers remains an intriguing topic for both enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.