The 411 on CBD-Infused Beer

Is CBD-infused beer the next big thing? It just might be. A range of new CBD infusions have been hitting the market in recent years thanks to changing legislation and new research into the benefits of cannabidiol. Although many people use CBD to address specific health conditions, CBD is also popular for recreational use, which is part of what makes it a perfect solution for beer enthusiasts who are curious about the potential health benefits of cannabidiol.

What Is CBD Beer?

CBD beer has come about as a result of the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages with CBD and advances in nano-emulsification technology. Previously, the hydrophobic nature of CBD oil would have made it impractical to create cannabis-infused beers. Now, beer lovers can enjoy a low alcohol drink with all of the benefits of CBD use.

CBD Beer's Uncertain Beginnings

While the CBD industry has had a lot of success with CBD-infused products such as CBD oils, CBD balms, CBD e-liquids, CBD edibles, and CBD beverages, CBD-infused beers have taken longer to hit the shelves due to red tape constraints and legal uncertainty. Most of the pioneering brands in America—including Coalition Brewing Company and Longtrail Brewing Co.—have had to halt production at some point or even shut their doors. At present, there are only two or three companies making CBD-infused beer in the United States.

Why There's So Much Confusion about CBD

Because CBD has not been approved as an official food additive or dietary supplement by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal government prohibits its use in foods. This has resulted in several states banning CBD-infused edibles and beverages.Nevertheless, THC-infused edibles and beverages (including THC beer) are sold without any qualms in many states that have approved recreational cannabis. This is another area where state and federal laws remain at odds.

How Is CBD-Infused Beer Made?

CBD beer is made by infusing a non-alcoholic flavor base made with hops and barley with CBD oil. To make it, breweries use a traditional brewing process, remove the alcohol, and then add a nano-emulsified form of CBD. The result is a non-alcoholic product with a pleasantly hoppy aroma and the wellness-promoting effects of CBD.

What Kind of CBD Extracts Are Used in Beer?

Most CBD beers make use of hemp extracts. Some use full-spectrum extracts, some use broad-spectrum extracts, and others utilize pure CBD isolate. From a legal standpoint, hemp is any Cannabis sativa plant that contains .3% THC or less. So it contains the cannabinoids you need, but there’s not enough THC to have a psychotropic effect.Interestingly, cannabis and hops come from the same plant family—Cannabaceae—so it's a nice twist that the two might be combined. Some brands, like Humboldt, even brew with toasted hemp seeds for a fully aromatic brewing experience, while others are content with the time-tested formula of hops and barley, infused with a hemp extract at the end.

Does CBD Beer Contain Alcohol?

CBD beer is usually a non-alcoholic beverage, so it shouldn't contain any alcohol at all. It does, however, have ingredients that enhance the flavor of the beer and help to make CBD more effective, including terpenes—the naturally occurring compounds in cannabis that give the plant its signature aroma (and some of its therapeutic effects).Due to the brewing process, some CBD beers contain low levels of alcohol, so be sure to check the product label before buying. In any case, CBD beer doesn’t contain enough alcohol to make you tipsy. At the most, a CBD beer will contain 0.5% alcohol, which is the same as a standard non-alcoholic beer.

What Are the Benefits Of CBD-Infused Beer?

There are a number of benefits to drinking CBD beer, not the least of which is the possibility of driving yourself home. Consider some of the research-based benefits of CBD:

Cannabis-Infused Beer Is Great for Socializing

There’s nothing like enjoying an ice-cold brew, but CBD makes the social experience even better. The reason that most people drink beer is that it makes them feel more relaxed and comfortable in social settings, and CBD-infused beer may offer similar benefits.

• Some people who use CBD say that it helps to calm their racing thoughts. In other words, it might help you relax and enjoy the party.
• According to research, CBD has anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving) properties. In other words, if you're nervous, anxious, or generally stressed, CBD might help you chill out.
• Animal studies also suggest that CBD may also have antidepressant properties. In other words, it might boost your mood.

In short, CBD beer offers the same benefits that normal beer does, with zero alcohol.

Cannabis Beer May Help with Social Anxiety

One of the reasons that people drink beer is to help calm their anxiety when faced with social situations. Fortunately, CBD seems to be especially helpful for social anxiety and—better yet—won't lead to alcohol addiction like alcoholic drinks can do.

CBD Beer Could Help You Sleep

According to research, CBD may help you get a better night's sleep—especially if you can't sleep because of anxiety or chronic pain. Instead of opening the fridge to drink alcohol and relax in the evening, pop out a cannabis-infused beer and enjoy the calming properties of hemp.

CBD Beer Is Good for Your Health

CBD cannabis beer is also great for your health in general because it helps to modulate the endocannabinoid system—the network of receptors responsible for keeping your other bodily systems in balance. People often use CBD for pain relief and mental health issues, and taking cannabidiol in a beverage is just as effective as ingesting it in edibles or oils.

CBD Beer Is Perfect for Designated Drivers

Being the designated driver is an important role, but it can feel frustrating. Everybody else is out enjoying a few drinks and letting loose, and you are stuck with soft drinks for the night. The great thing about CBD beer is that you can still enjoy a drink that helps you relax and enjoy the evening like everybody else, but you are still fit to drive.

Where Can You Get CBD Beer?

If you’d like to try CBD-infused beer for yourself, you’ll most likely be able to purchase this from dispensaries in states where CBD-infused beers are legal. Although there are some legislative barriers that prohibit the use of CBD in food and drink, these only exist in certain states and the law is always changing. As a result, CBD beer is more widely available than ever before.At present, the main brands that make CBD-infused beers are Outbound Brewing in San Diego, Coalition Brewing Company in Oregon, and Ceria Brewing around the United States. If you're ever overseas, be sure to check out Green Times Brewing in the UK. While their CBD beers are widely advertised, Outbound Brewing is not yet offering its products for sale. Keep an eye out for this brand in dispensaries in the future.

Best Flavors of CBD-Infused Beer to Try

To tantalize your taste buds, these are some of the flavors of cannabis beer that are currently available (or coming soon) in the United States:

Grainwave Belgian-Style White from Ceria Brewing

Ceria Brewing's specialty is Grainwave—a classic Belgian-style white ale heightened with the flavors of blood orange peel and coriander. These spices add the aromatic terpenes limonene and linalool that have been associated with anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic effects. This brew pairs perfectly with chicken, Mexican food, salad, seafood, and vanilla-based desserts. It’s available in dispensaries around the United States.

Two Flowers IPA from Coalition Brewing Company

Coalition Brewing has launched its first CBD beer in Oregon with Two Flowers IPA. This craft beer is described on their site as "a west coast IPA that is light, crisp, bitter, and refreshing." And the two flowers? Well, they are naturally hops and hemp!

The trio of Brews from Outbound Brewing

While not yet available on dispensary shelves, the three flavors coming from Outbound Brewing are already causing a sensation on the net:

Grapefruit Haze

Grapefruit Haze is a pale golden brew with a refreshing citrusy aroma and tangy grapefruit zestiness. The brew is perfected with a flurry of small bubbles with each and every sip.

Pale Haze

For those who appreciate a subtle flavor, Pale Haze is a mild-tasting CBD-infused beer with a hazy amber hue. The effervescent texture carries citrus and floral flavors with a pleasantly hoppy aroma.

Blood Orange Haze

Blood Orange Haze is a tan-colored beer with the refreshing taste of blood orange peel. The fizzy texture goes perfectly with the citrusy zestiness and earthy notes of this CBD brew.

Join the CBD Beer Revolution

CBD beer is changing the way that people enjoy recreational drinking. It’s the norm for people to go out to bars and drink beer or relax in the evening at home with a few cold ones.But CBD beer is also offering a great alternative for a healthy lifestyle, with the same relaxing effects of an alcoholic beer plus the therapeutic effects of CBD. Have you ever tried cannabis-infused beer? Tell us what you think.