There is a new keg at the frat house and it is not full of your father’s alcohol. It’s your dispensary’s cannabis. Here is what you need to know about cannabis beer.
What is Cannabis Beer?
Cannabis beer is virtually self-explanatory. It is an adult beverage that has been distilled similarly to beer. However, cannabis beer can be infused with popular cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. The yielded results are batches of cannabis brews of all varieties. This includes IPAs, lagers, stouts, porters, and others.
How Cannabis Beer Made?
Cannabis beer is made by using a delicate combination of decarbed cannabis and dry hops. Decarboxylation is the process of using heat to convert one compound to another. In regards to making infused edibles, the THC must be chemically converted into THCA. the latter, scientifically known as Delta-9 TetraHydrocannabinolic Acid is the most effective way to make sure your edibles are potent. This process is completed by applying heat to the cannabis flowers via a conventional oven. Despite the intimidating scientific jargon, the process of decarboxylation is quite simple. The remaining process is similar to the traditional crafting of beers (i.e. distillation.)
Decarbing Weed for Cannabis Beer
* Note: This article educational purposes only. Please do not to craft or distill cannabis better at home.
To begin the decarboxylation process for cannabis beer, preheat your oven to 220°F. A good rule of thumb when decarbing your cannabis is a simple ratio: 15 minutes per 3.5 grams of dried, minced cannabis. Once you have chosen the amount of cannabis to infuse, place the ground cannabis spaciously on a safe baking dish on top of a sheet of aluminum foil. The oven will provide the appropriate amount of heat to begin the conversion of THC into THCA. Moreover, THCA is extremely more potent than THC. It is also worth noting that there are a variety of cannabis beers that contain CBD instead of THC. However, decarboxylation is required for all cannabinoids that are intended to be infused into a cannabis beverage. Once your amount of cannabis has been heated for the appropriate amount of time, it is ready to be infused into fats or oils. From here, canna-chefs typically infused the decarbed buds into butter or oil. This is how cannabutter and cannabis cooking oil is created thanks to decarboxylation.
What is in Cannabis Beer?
As aforementioned, cannabis beer contains the desired cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. There is also a combination of hops used in cannabis beers. Contrary to popular belief, there is no alcohol in cannabis beers. There is also little-to-no calories in cannabis beers. Canna-brewers tend to avoid the inclusion of sugars in their products. Craft cannabis beer can also contain terpenes such as Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, and others to provide the beverage with a taste as organic as the cannabis flowers it originates from.
The Medicinal Effects of Cannabis Beer
Similar to dry cannabis flowers, cannabis beer can be psychoactive or non-psychoactive. This is due to the inclusion of THC or CBD respectively. The effects of a THC-infused cannabis beer can be cerebral and uplifting. Cannabis beers made with CBD will provide the consumer with more relaxing effects that will not get them high. Ironically, traditional alcoholic beverages provide the exact opposite effects. Traditional alcoholic beverages can be quite damaging to the body. This is the key reason millennials are flocking to grab a case of cannabis brews.
Cannabis Beer and its Effects on the Industry
As the cannabis industry continues to skyrocket, a variety of new products debut daily. Within a decade, the cannabis industry is expected to break the $200 billion milestone. This is thanks to new products with lasting effects on the market such as cannabis beers. As aforementioned, young adults are choosing cannabis beers over traditional alcoholic beverages. Except to see more craft cannabis brews as the industry continues to progress.