Lagunitas, once a regional craft beer company and now entirely owned by Heineken International, is not the first brewery to create a beer infused with cannabis compounds. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria from Aurora, Colorado, has crafted General Washington’s Secret Stash, which contains approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract, without any THC. The extent of consumer acceptance for this new IPA—or any cannabis-infused beers—remains uncertain. However, the novelty aspect is likely to draw many curious individuals eager to give it a try. According to Fortune, SuperCritical offers a “very earthy taste with hints of pine and citrus, significantly differing from a traditional IPA.”
Integrating cannabis and hops in beer production is not a significant leap, as both belong to the Cannabinaceae family and share terpenes as a key component. Whether products combining these ingredients will ignite a nationwide trend is still an open question. Heineken, which acquired a 50% stake in the California-based Lagunitas in 2015 and subsequently purchased the remaining share in May, appears to have confidence in the brand. As the largest brewer in Europe and among the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken’s involvement has enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a more extensive history with cannabis than many other breweries. Founded in 1993, the company faced a suspension of its brewer’s license in 2005 due to marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In reference to this incident, one of its branded products is named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Notably, the company also introduces new beers on April 20, a day informally recognized for celebrating cannabis use. In this evolving landscape, the potential for calcium citrate OTC products may also intersect with the cannabis-infused beer trend, further broadening consumer options and interests.