By Luke Sholl


Looking to spice up your next smoke session? You may not have to go further than your fridge to reap the rewards of a frosty beer paired with your prized bud. Believe it or not, beer and weed compliment each other nicely and when paired correctly, help bring out previously untested flavours and amplified effects.

With craft beer and cannabis surging in popularity, so many varieties of each exist, thanks to years of innovation and dedication from cultivators, processors and customers. In response to innumerable beer styles and thousands of terpene varieties in cannabis, strain critics have emerged around the web to help navigate befuddled consumers through the process of selecting a strain to suit every brew. Below, we explore why beer and weed go so well together, and how to marry the two together for optimal results.

FLAVOUR: ALL IN THE TERPENES

Given the details, it’s not surprising that beer and cannabis are great foils to one another. Cannabis flowers naturally feature a complex spectrum of aromatic terpenes that mirror many of the flavours in beer. Terpenes are compounds which are secreted in the trichomes of cannabis flowers in the same way as THC and CBD. Terpenes are responsible for producing the deep, pleasing aromas and tastes that cannabis smokers crave - they are also the basis for pairing weed and beer.

The spectrum of pungent terpenes existing in nature is vast and hits on many classic flavour notes like citrus, (produced by the terpene limonene) pine, (produced by alpha/beta-pinene) and floral (produced by linalool) which are also popular notes tasted in different beer varieties.

barley cannabis field beer terpene

BEER: A MIXED BOTTLE

The flavour of your favourite beer is the result of several different elements that each act as building blocks to create a well-rounded finished product. Fundamentally, beers are made by fermenting the mash bill, (mix of grains) which automatically imbues certain flavours. Additionally, many beers feature hops, which adds bitterness on a scale from barely there to intensely bitter. Hops also contain terpenes, but they don’t assert themselves with the same gusto as with cannabis. Some brewers infuse their beers with additives like fruit and wood chips, which adds an extra layer of flavour and makes up for the lack of strong terpene content.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PAIRING?

It’s clear that beer and cannabis are individually flavour packed and therefore poised for greatness together. But the question is, how does one go about pairing the two?

FLAVOUR

Learning how to pair flavourful beers and skunky strains might seem like a daunting task, but it’s best treated as a fun experiment for you and your tastebuds, at least in the beginning! If you want to help bring out the minor notes in the beer without getting lost in the minutia of extreme subtlety, some experts suggest starting out with rich, distinct beers and flavour-famous strains like Strawberry Cough or Mango Kush that highlight clear tasting notes. Starting out this way allows for you to develop more complex combinations over time, after experimenting with more obvious pairings.

If you happen to prefer some beer styles over others, feel free to circulate a few different strains on the same beer, to see which one works best. The same goes for those who like to use a few particular strains, but are open to a great many beers.

seeds cannabis barley beer

ALCOHOL CONTENT & STRAIN EFFECTS

Two elements you’ll want to consider in each pairing is the alcohol content of your beer and the effects of your strain. In general, those who don’t often mix beer and cannabis should steer clear of experimenting with beers that have a high ABV (alcohol by volume) and strains with staggering levels of THC. As much fun as beer and cannabis can be in concert, they have a pesky habit of inducing unpleasant “crossfades” in high doses.

It’s helpful to know which of the three major strain categories your flower fits into. Indica is a strain known for its couch-lock qualities and pleasant sedation, but it’s not always the best compliment to beer. Alcohol is a depressant and has sedative qualities of its own, so you may want to opt instead for a sativa or hybrid strain.

At the end of the day, it’s possible you’d rather spend your time enjoying your tasty pairing than fussing over which strain or bottle to select. If this sounds like you, there are some hard and fast pairings that have been time and taste-tested to ensure a quality smoke session every time.

SOUR BEERS: A “CATCH ALL”

One style of beer that consistently pairs well with most cannabis strains is sour beer. Boasting tart, yet fruity notes, this type offers a more quenching experience and reduces the effects of cotton mouth that heavy beers like hop-driven India Pale Ales (IPA) and rich stouts plague consumers with.

IPA'S: PINENE AND LIMONENE

IPA's are known for their intense hop profile and purposeful bitterness; at the same time, they are deep in flavour and benefit from the addition of strains with pinene terpenes, resulting in an aromatic explosion! A current trend with IPA brewing is to introduce strong, tart citrus flavours like grapefruit and orange in the brew, which are further enhanced alongside strains containing limonene. Two classic sativas that can be confidently savoured with IPAs are Jack Herer and Jack The Ripper (JTR) for their notable pine and citrus profiles, respectively.

smoke cannabis pairing beer

STOUTS/PORTERS: MYRCENE

Stouts and Porters are arguably two of the heaviest types of beer out there, making them difficult to enjoy with a meal or drink quickly. These beers feature notes of chocolate and coffee, and indeed are sometimes mixed with an espresso shot or two. For this reason, you’ll want to avoid syrupy sweet strains in favour of muskier, tangier options like White Widow to balance out the sugar. This balance can be effective enough to turn Stout novices into new fans, as they learn to appreciate the unique qualities stouts and porters bring to the table.

PILSNERS: SOMETHING NEW!

Pilsners are popularly selected for their drinkability, mild flavours and usually low alcohol content. With this in mind, Pilsners are a great vessel to try out a new, intriguing strain you’ve never had before! When consumed alongside cannabis, Pilsners are a refreshing palate cleanser that can be just the ticket after a long day of work.

CANNABIS INFUSED BEER

The beautiful synergy resulting from enjoying beer and weed together is amped up further with the advent of cannabis-infused beer. In case you were wondering, these groundbreaking beers do not contain psychoactive compound THC, but rather infuse cannabidiol (CBD) into alcohol. This process both gives beers a terpene-forward taste and offers consumers the myriad health benefits associated with CBD. The world over has been singing this cannabinoid’s praises, since it won’t make you feel high, but offers potential benefits against symptoms of physical pain and emotional anxiety.

PAIR RESPONSIBLY

When deciding to take a step into the great unknown of beer and bud, make sure you pair responsibly. A beautiful pairing can inspire a continued love for and understanding of brewing and cannabis, while a negative binge drinking experience can put a bitter taste in your mouth and a slight fog in your memory. 

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: