Hemp Beer: Where To Buy And What To Know

Hemp beer is a unique alcoholic beverage that has been gaining popularity, especially in Europe and the United States. With the recent legalisation of cannabis-based products in Australia, hemp beer is also making waves there. This beer is crafted with hemp leaves and inflorescences, adding a distinct flavour and a subtle earthy aftertaste. It's important to note that hemp beer does not contain THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, so it won't get you high. However, it may contain CBD, which is known for its relaxing effects. You can purchase hemp beer from several retailers, including Gangemi's Fine Wines & Food in Australia and Dolomiti BioHemp, an Italian company that offers online orders with free shipping.

Hemp beer in Australia

In Australia, hemp consumption was banned for humans in the early 1900s due to its association with cannabis. However, in November 2018, the consumption of hemp food products was finally legalised. To celebrate, East 9th Brewing released Australia's first hemp beer, Doss Blockos Hempire Hemp Ale, across the country. The brew uses organic hemp seeds, resulting in a nutty, smoky flavour with a subtle creamy mouthfeel.

East 9th Brewing is based in Melbourne and was founded by Benjamin Cairns, Josh Lefers, and Stephen Wools. The team has a history of releasing politically-oriented products, including 'The People Vs.' series of Fog City Cloudy Cider, adorned with bold political statements.

Other Australian breweries have also experimented with hemp beer, including Young Henrys and Afends, who launched their Hemp IPA in 2018. This beer was a collaboration between the two organisations, both of which share values of supporting sustainability, the environment, and creating eco-friendly products. The Young Henrys & Afends Hemp IPA is made with water-soluble hemp oil, which is added during the dry hopping process, resulting in punchy, zesty, resinous, and fruit-forward aromas and flavours.

While hemp and cannabis come from the same species of plant ('Cannabis Sativa'), hemp does not contain the hallucinogenic compound THC found in cannabis. This means that hemp beer will not get you high, but it may offer a unique flavour profile and a range of potential health benefits due to the nutritional properties of hemp seeds.

With the legalisation of hemp food products in Australia, the hemp industry is expected to grow significantly, and we can likely expect to see more innovative hemp-infused beverages and products in the future.

Hemp beer in Italy

Hemp beer, or cannabis beer, is a type of beer that contains alcohol but will not get you high. Hemp is part of the cannabis family, and its addition to beer gives the beverage a unique, earthy taste.

In Italy, hemp beer is available from Z'AM STEG - La birra del monte Rosa. Their hemp beer, Hampf, is an Italian craft beer with a distinctive aroma and flavour. Hampf has a high alcohol content of 8.2% ABV, but the hemp makes it very pleasant to drink. It is a raw beer, unfiltered, unpasteurised, and refermented in the bottle.

The legality of hemp and cannabis products varies by region and is strictly regulated in Italy. While cannabis is legal for medical and industrial uses, it is decriminalised for recreational use. The unlicensed cultivation of cannabis is illegal, but small-scale cultivation for personal use has been deemed legal in some cases. The sale of cannabis-related products is also illegal and punishable by imprisonment.

The cultivation of hemp and cannabis in Italy has a long history, dating back to Roman times when it was used to produce hemp ropes. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the production of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, with hundreds of new businesses starting to grow cannabis across the country.

Hemp beer in the US

Hemp beer is a form of beer infused with elements of the cannabis plant. While hemp beer contains similar aromas and flavours to that of high-THC cannabis (marijuana), it does not contain any CBD or THC properties. Hemp beer is not brewed directly from hemp but instead uses hemp products such as seeds, which are added later for flavouring. In the United States, hemp is legally defined as containing no more than 0.3% THC, which is not enough to be psychoactive.

Hemp beer has become increasingly popular in the US, with brewers experimenting with new hemp flavours and profiles. Some of the best-known hemp beers in the US include:

• The Hemperor (7% ABV) by New Belgium Brewing Company. Infused with hemp hearts and hop flavours, this beer has a light golden colour and a sweet terpene taste with a mildly bitter finish.
• Hempin Ain't Easy Ale (4.2% ABV) by One World Brewing. A light and balanced blend of organic hemp seeds from Kentucky, wheat, pilsner malt, and comet hops.
• Humboldt Brown Ale/Humboldt Hemp Ale (5% ABV) by Humboldt Brewing Company. Infused with toasted hemp seeds, this beer offers a unique herb-accented flavour, perfectly balanced with American hops and darker malts.
• Homegrown Hempen Ale (6.5% ABV) by Fitger's. Only brewed once a year for the Homegrown Music Festival, this full-bodied amber beer is infused with ground hemp seeds, making it a strong and well-hopped ale.
• Rock House Christmas Warmer (8.6% ABV) by Rock House Brewing in Lexington, KY. This holiday blend combines a malty, peppery ale with a sweet infusion of honey, cinnamon, and ginger.

Other breweries that produce hemp beer in the US include Sweetwater Brewing Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and Limestone Brewing Company. Larger beer producers such as Blue Moon, Constellation Brands, and Molson Coors are also preparing to release their own hemp brews.

Hemp beer and THC

Hemp beer is becoming an increasingly popular beverage, with a unique taste and a difference from your standard craft beer. In places like Australia, companies have only recently been able to produce cannabis-based products for human consumption, and now we're seeing a whole range of cannabis-infused drinks, including hemp beer. But what's the deal with hemp beer and THC?

Well, it's important to first understand the difference between hemp and cannabis. Essentially, they are the same plant, but with one key difference: the amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) they contain. If the plant has 0.3% or less THC by weight, it's classified as hemp. Any more than that, and it's considered cannabis. From a legal perspective, this distinction is crucial. Cannabis and cannabis products with higher levels of THC can only be sold in licensed dispensaries in states where it's legal. On the other hand, hemp and hemp products, with their lower THC levels, are federally legal in many places—like the US, under the 2018 Farm Bill.

So, what does this mean for your hemp beer? Well, in places where hemp-derived THC is legal, you might find hemp beers that do contain THC. These beers have the potential to get you high, but it's important to note that not all hemp beers will have this effect. Some hemp beverages only contain CBD, which won't cause intoxication. When it comes to THC-infused hemp beers, the amount of THC can vary, but most incorporate between two and ten milligrams, which is considered a "micro-dose". These beers can provide a sense of relaxation and amusement and are meant to be consumed responsibly, just like alcohol.

If you're interested in trying hemp beer, whether it contains THC or not, it's important to understand the regulations in your area. While hemp products with low THC levels are becoming more widely available, the laws around THC-infused beverages are still evolving. In some places, like Illinois, legislation is pending to allow and regulate these beverages. Until then, if you're looking to buy hemp beer with a little extra kick, you may have to wait for the laws to catch up!

Hemp beer and CBD

CBD-infused beer, on the other hand, is a beer that has been infused with cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid derived from hemp and most cannabis strains. CBD-infused beer is marketed as a drink that allows you to relax without becoming drunk or high. Some users who have tried this product claim that it helps them relax and improves their mood.

The legality of CBD-infused beer varies by region. In the United States, the production and sale of CBD-infused beer face significant regulatory hurdles and are currently not permitted by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, internationally, CBD-infused beer is available in countries like the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. For example, Hop & Hemp Brewing Co. in the UK produces CBD-infused craft beer with a low ABV of 0.5%, targeting consumers who want to unwind without the negative repercussions of alcohol.

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