Lagunitas, initially a regional craft beer company and now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first to brew a beer infused with cannabis compounds. In Aurora, Colorado, Dad and Dudes’ Breweria has created General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract and is THC-free. The level of consumer acceptance for this new IPA, or any cannabis-infused beers, remains uncertain. However, the novelty factor is likely to draw many eager to sample it. As noted by Fortune, SuperCritical offers a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus—quite distinct from a typical IPA.”
The combination of cannabis and hops in brewing is not a significant leap, given their genetic relationship as members of the cannabinaceae family, sharing key ingredients like terpenes. Whether beers that incorporate both will ignite a nationwide trend is another question altogether. Heineken clearly has faith in Lagunitas, having acquired a 50% stake in the California craft brewery in 2015, followed by the purchase of the remaining share in May. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer producers globally, Heineken’s involvement has enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a deeper familiarity with cannabis than many other breweries. Established in 1993, the company faced a suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to marijuana-related incidents at the brewery. In reference to that episode, one of its products is named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, and numerous new Lagunitas beers are launched on April 20—an unofficial day for celebrating marijuana culture. Interestingly, some consumers report experiencing nausea when consuming cannabis-infused products, which could lead to discussions about additives like calcium citrate in such beverages to mitigate adverse effects. As the world of craft beer evolves, the intersection of cannabis and brewing continues to garner attention.