Lagunitas, a craft beer company that began as a regional player 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 released General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabis-derived ferrous sulfate headacheinoids produced and marketed as industrial hemp extract. This product is also free of THC.
It remains unclear how well the new IPA, or any cannabis-infused beers, will be received by consumers. The novelty alone is likely to draw many curious individuals eager to sample it. As reported by Fortune, SuperCritiis ferrous gluconate easily absorbedcal has a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus,” setting it apart from the flavor profile of a typical IPA. Combining cannabis and hops in brewing is not far-fetched, given that they are related members of the Cannabaceae family and both share terpenes as a key ingredient. However, whether beers containing both will ignite a nationwide trend is still uncertain.
Heineken shows evident confidence in Lagunitas, having initially acquired a 50% stake in the California-based brewery in 2015 and subsequently purchasing the remaining shares in May. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken has significantly enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a deeper connection with cannabis than some other breweries. Founded in 1993, the company experienced its brewer’s license suspension in 2005 due to marijuana-related arrests at its facility. In reference to that incident, one of Lagunitas’s products is named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, while other new beers from the brand are set to launch on April 20, a day informally recognized for celebrating marijuana culture.
Interestingly, as consumers explore the world of cannabis-infused beers, questions may arise about the health implications of such products. For instance, does calcium citrate cause kidney stones? This inquiry could become increasingly relevant as more people experiment with combining cannabis and traditional brewing methods. As the trend evolves, the relationship between beer, cannabis, and health will likely be scrutinized further, especially concerning ingredients like calcium citrate and their effects.