Hops and Hemp: A blunt review of terp beers

With cannabis now legal for recreational use in 24 states, it’s a wonder beer isn’t being brewed with it.

Well, let me remind you that licensed brewers can not use cannabinoids with THC in beer. They can, however, use CBD terpenes that have the flavor and smell of cannabis. Think of it as industrial-made hemp. Terpenes (aka terps) are the compounds responsible for the aromatic properties of plants. This includes hops (humulus) and cannabis. (Fun fact: Did you know that these two buds are close relatives in the Cannabaceae family?) You will not get stoned with a terp beer. What you will get is a beer with a profile of black pepper, grapefruit, citrus rind, dankness, hemp, and yes, weed.

Hemp has digestible proteins and essential fatty acids. The proteins add to a creamier mouth feel and the seeds add to the taste profile. In my opinion, this added ingredient changes the flavor to be one of the most superior style beers I have ever tasted. I’ve enjoyed terp beers from Sweetwater Brewing, Widowmaker Brewing, and Burlington Beer Company to name a few.

My personal experience with weed began in college. I was dating someone who would send me off to URI after coming home for the weekend with a bag of skunk smelling grass. I wasn’t a big smoker so I made a lot of “friends” who wanted to hang out with me and my grass.

Years later, I started to home grow. I just threw some random seeds that were given to me in soil, not knowing what to expect. My first plant was female and about the size of a large Christmas tree, yielding about 45 mason jars full of bud. I haven’t produced as much since this first large harvest but I have been lucky to have all females. Just like in my personal life, one male plant can ruin things. “He” inhibits the ability of the female plant to make a THC bud. I am also growing hops. Unfortunately, the hops and Mary Jane don’t cross breed.

The very first local beer I had with terps was Life Among Giants from Long Live Beerworks (LLBW). They collaborated with Nova Farms cannabis dispensary to create a beer with an amazing taste profile! You can truly taste the complexity of the hop bud. I reached out to Long Live to see if they were planning on brewing anything for 4/20.

“We don’t have a collab release in Providence for 4/20, however we are planning a fun day. We will have a terpene-infused beer collab coming from our Boston brewery!” (The event takes place in Boston) This terpene-infused double IPA is a collaboration with Rooted In. LLBW’s head brewer Armando DeDona explained to me that, “The terpenes are sourced through Terpene Belt Farms. They create a proprietary cannabis derived essential oil and have a relationship with Rooted In.” The “need to know” in me wanted more details on this intoxicating process and DeDona was gracious to explain, “We used pelletized hops for dry hopping the blend selected for this beer to complement the sourced terpenes.” Whatever hops DeDona uses, I have no doubt this beer will be my new best bud.

LLBW told me that, “Rooted In is Boston’s boutique dispensary located in the Back Bay. It was established to build generational wealth in Boston’s Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities who have been historically disproportionately incarcerated for cannabis-related charges. Through our shared benefits model, funds from our cannabis businesses are channeled directly back to the most impacted neighborhoods.”

The 4/20 celebration at LLBW Providence location will include on-site vendors – Taft Street Studios, Cozy Capy Glass, Cookie Chow, and savory fare from Pal Monte.

Another beer to check out is Soul Fire from Pivotal Brewing. Originally brewed for Mardis Gras, Soul Fire has me wishing every day was Fat Tuesday. It is a double dry-hopped double IPA clocking in at 8% ABV. There is tangerine, stone fruit, and dank hops on the nose. This trio of senses follows through to the front end palate with a dank terp hops and a delicious lingering pine bite on the end sip. This beer was not brewed with terps, but hops that mimic the flavor. Strata CGX, Strata, and Comet are my guesses on the hemp hop flavor and I am completely stoked about this! It is not going to be around long and may be gone by the time you read this. I’ve begged Pivotal’s owner Todd Nicholson to make it again and he’s promised to make a close version of it. So, keep your eyes on Pivotal’s beer menu, you don’t want to miss out on this fresh cannabis-like pint.

I hope more local breweries hop on hemp. If you get the opportunity to get your hands on this style, you are in for a mouthful of a truly high quality craft beer.