By Marguerite Arnold


In the ever-evolving landscape of recreational cannabis, the intersection of weed and beer has landed firmly in the crosshairs of marijuana lovers and fermentation enthusiasts alike. Both cannabis and beer are two of the most popular means of kicking back and relaxing; the former offers a mellow stoning effect, while the latter provides a subtle sociable buzz.

While there are certainly dangers at play when hitting bongs and guzzling pints simultaneously, pairing weed and beer responsibly can amplify each other's effects to provide a pleasant mindset ideal for chatty parties and social gatherings. So, get ready to dive into the world of weed-infused beer. You'll discover the benefits of these uplifting concoctions, the differences between THC and CBD beers, and how to make your own at home. Let's get brewing!

Cannabis Spice

Can You Infuse Beer With Cannabis?

Humans have capitalised on the effects of cannabis and beer separately since antiquity. The marijuana-based beverage bhang, a mix of weed, milk, and nuts, dates back to around 1,000 BC in India. Similarly, people in China started necking booze way back in 7,000 BC. However, the combination of the two arose, as far as we know, in the contemporary era. Before the dawn of cannabis legalisation in the United States, pioneering brewers started creating craft beers using the herb in the early 2000s.

There you have it: Although still a relative rarity, cannabis-infused beers certainly exist. Consumers in countries such as Canada are able to grab these brews directly off the shelves. However, those living elsewhere will have to go through the extra effort of brewing their own at home. So, let's get down to it and start with one of the most important questions: Which beers go best with buds?

Which Beers Are Best Brewed With Cannabis?

Walk into any pub, and you'll find a plethora of beers, including mainline commercial lagers, alongside the rare creations of local microbreweries. The sheer selection of beers parallels the diversity of strains available to weed users. But which combinations offer the best experience? In truth, this all boils down to personal preference. However, some combinations to get you started include:

  • Lager: Known for their crisp and clean profiles, lagers serve as an excellent foundation for THC and tasty terpenes. Their mild flavours allow plenty of room for the taste of specific strains to shine through. Moreover, their moderate alcohol content works well when introducing the psychoactive effects of cannabis into the equation.
  • Stout: This beverage provides a richer experience. The dark, malty, and earthy tones go hand-in-hand with certain cannabis strains. Stout brings notes of coffee and chocolate to the table and also features a higher alcohol content than lager.
  • Pilsner: Pilsners are refreshing, light and crisp. Although a type of lager, pilsners differ in that they possess more of a hoppy and spicy flavour, which derives from a different yeast used during the fermentation process.
  • Indian pale ale: Drinks that fall into this category are highly hopped, giving them a pleasant bitter taste. For the adventurous palate, they go well with either complementary earthy or contrasting sweet cannabis strains.

Cannabis Spice

What are the Benefits of Cannabis Beer?

So, what exactly does cannabis beer offer that joints, edibles, and extracts don't? Below are some of the main reasons why cannabis users partake in an occasional marijuana-infused beverage:

  • Hard-hitting high: Cannabis beer offers something distinct that other weed preparations don't—the presence of alcohol. If you've ever combined marijuana and alcohol, you'll know that things can quickly take a turn for the worse, turning a fun night of dancing and chatting into a disastrous occasion spent spewing into the toilet bowl.
  • Why? Because combining THC and alcohol results in a far more intense high; research[1] shows that alcohol causes a higher peak of THC concentration in the bloodstream. While a potential recipe for disaster, cannabis beer can also produce a superior buzz for experienced and sensible users. The key is moderation.
  • Two birds with one stone: If you're somebody who enjoys smoking a joint as you sip on a pint, cannabis beer can help you condense two activities into one. The beverage will get you high and tipsy simultaneously, removing the need to juggle the tasks of pouring beers and rolling cones. However, keep in mind that you'll experience a much more intense effect, as orally-consumed THC hits harder and lasts much longer.
  • Tackles tension: The THC in cannabis results in a release of the feel-good hormone dopamine, whereas alcohol stimulates GABA receptors that regulate anxiety. Taking both substances together can cause some users to feel more relaxed. But remember, it's truly a balancing act!

THC vs CBD beer

When discussing cannabis, we're not just talking about high-potency strains. Rather, the effects of weed boil down to hundreds of unique phytochemicals, including myriad cannabinoids and terpenes. Among these compounds, THC and CBD are the most well-recognised for influencing the mind and body.

THC underpins the quintessential cannabis experience and gives rise to sensations of euphoria, creativity, and giggles, as well as side effects, including red eyes and a dry mouth. In contrast, CBD doesn't exert a high. Instead, this molecule has gained a reputation for a clear-headed and lucid effect.

When it comes to crafting cannabis beer, you can determine the effects of the bottled product by choosing strains with differing levels of THC and CBD. Those high in the former will produce a powerful psychoactive effect, whereas those abundant in the latter will focus more on relaxation. Then, select strains high in both compounds offer the best of both worlds.

Preparing Your Cannabis

Before brewing, you'll need to prepare your weed accordingly. You see, raw cannabis contains very little THC. Instead, the molecule exists as the chemical precursor THCA, which doesn't produce a psychoactive effect. To convert THCA into THC, you'll need to decarboxylate your cannabis. This might sound complicated, but it simply involves exposing your buds to a little heat. Follow the simple steps below to get the job done:

  1. Grind your weed: Start by grinding all of your weed into a coarse powder. This will drastically increase the surface area of your plant material and increase the efficacy of the decarboxylation process. The beer recipe below calls for 20g of cannabis, so you have a fair bit of grinding to get done!
  2. Preheat the oven: Crank up your oven to 110°C and let it warm up while you carry out the next step.
  3. Prepare your tray: Line a baking tray with baking paper and spread your ground weed across it as evenly as possible.
  4. Get cooking: Place your tray into the oven and set a timer for 30–40 minutes.
  5. Let it cool: After your kitchen timer pings, remove your weed-filled tray from the oven and set it aside to cool.

Cannabis Spice

How To Brew Cannabis Beer at Home

With a big pile of ground and decarbed cannabis at your disposal, you're ready to start brewing your first batch of weed beer! Discover the ingredients and equipment you'll need during the process below. Then, dive into the recipe and start dreaming about your first swig.

Ingredients

  • 20g of ground and decarbed cannabis flower
  • 85g hops pellets (we recommend Citra hops)
  • 4l light malt extract syrup
  • 400g malting barley
  • Pack of slow fermenting yeast

Equipment

  • French press
  • 30l pot
  • 10l fermentation bucket
  • Syphon tube
  • 2 large muslin bag
  • Large zip lock bag
  • Rolling pin
  • Strainer
  • Large bowl
  • Steriliser fluid
  • Glass beer bottles
  • Capper and caps
  • Thermometer

Cannabis Spice

Step-By-Step Brewing Process

  1. Crack grains: Load your malt grains into a zip-lock bag. Use your rolling pin to lightly bash them to crack their outer shell without completely crushing them.
  2. Boil grains: Fill your 30l pot with 2l of water. Turn on your stovetop and use your thermometer to get the water up to 66–68°C. Add your cracked grains and boil them for thirty minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Strain grains: Place your strainer over a large bowl and pour the mixture through it. Discard the grains and pour the strained liquid back into the 30l pot.
  4. Add syrup: Add your light malt extract into the pot and stir until completely dissolved. Then, top up the pot to a total volume of 6l.
  5. Hop to it: Time to add the hops! Load them into one of your muslin bags and tie it closed. Place the bag into the pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the concoction simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Then, remove your pot from the stove, remove the hops, and let it cool completely.
  6. Sanitise and transfer: Thoroughly sanitise and rinse your syphon and fermentation bucket according to product instructions. Use your syphon to transfer your liquid from the pot into the fermentation bucket.
  7. Inoculate your vessel: Add your pack of slow-fermenting yeast into the fermentation bucket; these microbes will convert the sugars into alcohol over the coming days. Secure the lid and airlock the top of the bucket. Within 24 hours, the bucket's contents should develop a froth layer—a sign of fermentation.
  8. Sterilise muslin bag: Once you notice a froth layer developing, place your second muslin bag into a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes to sterilise it. Afterwards, remove it from the pan and let it cool just enough so you can handle it safely.
  9. Throw the weed: Add your weed to the warm bag and tie it closed. Place the bag into the fermentation bucket and secure the lid.
  10. Let fermentation do its thing: The yeast will work hard over the next ten days to ferment your mixture, turning it into beer. Both the fat and alcohol within the solution will draw out the THC and other compounds from your weed, infusing it into the beer. Lightly shake the bucket once per day to agitate the ground cannabis.
  11. Bottle up: Once ten days have passed, you're onto the most exciting part of the process: Bottling! Remove the bag of weed from the bucket. Grab your bottle and open the spigot on your vessel to fill it up. Use a capper to cap your bottles and place them in the fridge.

Cannabis Beer Is Only the Beginning

Congratulations, you now have a fridge filled with home-brewed weed beer! Keep in mind that you're dealing with a beverage just as strong as cannabis edibles, but one that also contains booze. Start extremely slowly with just a couple of sips until you get a feel for your beer and how it affects you.

Once you're familiar with the impact, invite a few friends over and guide them through the process of cracking open a cold homebrew. Now that you've brewed some weed beer, why not try your hand at other creations? Hemp beer harnesses the flavour of weed without the high, and cannabis wine offers an entirely different way to enjoy booze and buds.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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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: