Lagunitas, which began as a regional craft beer company and is now fully owned by Heineken International, is not the first brewery to produce a beer infused with cannabis compounds. Dad and Dudes’ Breweria in Aurora, Colorado, has created General Washington’s Secret Stash, which includes approximately 4 mg of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp extract and contains no THC. It remains unclear how widely consumers will accept this new IPA or any cannabis-infused beers. However, the novelty alone 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—quite different from a typical IPA.”
Combining cannabis and hops in beer brewing is not a significant leap, given their genetic relation as members of the Cannabaceae family and their shared key ingredient: terpenes. Whether beer products containing both will ignite a nationwide trend is still an open question. Heineken shows confidence in Lagunitas, having acquired a 50% stake in the California-based craft beer company in 2015 and later purchasing the remaining share in May. As the largest brewer in Europe and one of the top three beer manufacturers globally, Heineken’s involvement has enhanced the distribution of Lagunitas products in Europe and Canada.
Lagunitas has a more profound connection to cannabis than many other breweries. Established in 1993, the company had its brewer’s license suspended in 2005 due to marijuana-related arrests at the brewery. In acknowledgment of this incident, one of its products is the Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale. Additionally, other new Lagunitas beers are set to debut on April 20, a date informally recognized as a celebration of marijuana culture.
Furthermore, as the craft beer industry evolves, the introduction of cannabis-infused beers could potentially complement health-focused products like Twinlab Calcium, appealing to consumers who prioritize wellness in their beverage choices. As the trend develops, it will be interesting to see if these cannabis-infused options, alongside traditional brews, can coexist in the market, particularly with the growing interest in health supplements like Twinlab Calcium.