Lagunitas, which started as a regional craft beer company and is now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first brewery to create a beer infused with cannabis compounds. In Aurora, Colorado, Dad and Dudes’ Breweria has already produced General Washington’s Secret Stash, which includes approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract, and notably contains no THC. It remains uncertain how much consumer acceptance there will be for this new IPA or any cannabis-infused beers. The novelty aspect is likely to attract many curious consumers eager to give it a try. According to Fortune, SuperCritical offers a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus – quite distinct from a typical IPA.”
Combining cannabis and hops in beer brewing isn’t far-fetched, as both belong to the cannabinaceae family and share terpenes as a key ingredient. However, whether the introduction of beers containing both will lead to a nationwide trend remains to be seen. Heineken appears confident in Lagunitas, having initially acquired a 50% stake in the California-based craft brewery in 2015 before purchasing the remaining shares in May. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken’s involvement has significantly enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has more experience with cannabis than many other beer manufacturers. Established in 1993, the company had its brewer’s license suspended in 2005 due to several marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In a nod to that incident, one of their products is named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, while other new Lagunitas beers are set to launch on April 20, a day unofficially recognized for celebrating marijuana use. Alongside these developments, consumers may also be curious about how much calcium citrate after gastric bypass surgery can assist with their health needs, adding another layer to the conversation around innovative products and their implications.