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Cannabis Beer

The real story of cannabis beer is far weirder, older, and more consequential than the version most people know.

At a Glance

The Long, Strange History of Cannabis Beer

The connection between cannabis and beer is older and more interwoven than most people realize. While modern cannabis-infused beers are a recent phenomenon, the relationship between the two intoxicants stretches back thousands of years to the dawn of human civilization.

The earliest known evidence of cannabis use in brewing comes from ancient China, where records indicate that a form of cannabis-infused beer was being produced as far back as 2000 BCE. This proto-cannabis beer, known as kui, was brewed from a mixture of barley, rice, and the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. The resulting drink was prized for its potent psychoactive effects, as well as its nutritional and medicinal properties.

The Mysterious Origin of Hops Interestingly, the addition of hops to beer is a relatively recent development, with hops not being widely used in brewing until the 11th century CE. Before that, a variety of herbs and spices were used to flavor and preserve beer, including cannabis. Some scholars believe that the rise of hopped beers may have been partly driven by a desire to replace the psychoactive properties of cannabis-infused brews, which were becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.

The Global Spread of Cannabis Beer

As trade routes expanded and human civilizations came into contact, the use of cannabis in brewing spread across the ancient world. By the 1st century CE, variations of cannabis-infused beer were being produced in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and even parts of Europe.

One particularly notable example is bhang, a cannabis-based drink that has been an integral part of Indian culture for millennia. Bhang is made by grinding cannabis leaves and flowers into a paste, which is then mixed with milk, spices, and other ingredients to create a potent, mind-altering beverage.

"Bhang quenches thirst, cools the blood, and comforts the brain. It makes the old young and the shy speak out." - Indian Proverb

The use of cannabis in beer also spread to the Americas, where indigenous cultures such as the Aztecs and Maya incorporated the plant into their own fermented beverages. These ancient cannabis beers often played important roles in religious ceremonies and social gatherings.

The Prohibition of Cannabis Beer

The widespread use of cannabis in beer came to an end in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as the global prohibition movement gained momentum. Fueled by a mix of moral panic, racism, and corporate interests, governments around the world began to outlaw the production, sale, and consumption of cannabis-infused alcoholic beverages.

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The Mysterious Case of Carlsberg's Cannabis Beer One of the most intriguing chapters in the history of cannabis beer involves the Danish brewing giant Carlsberg. In the early 1970s, Carlsberg reportedly produced a small batch of cannabis-infused beer for a private event. The beer, known as "Tuborg Green," was said to contain high levels of THC and was described as having a "trippy" effect on those who consumed it. The existence of this beer has been the subject of much speculation and urban legend, but Carlsberg has never officially confirmed or denied its production.

The Resurgence of Cannabis Beer

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in cannabis-infused beers, driven in part by the growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana in many parts of the world. Innovative brewers have been experimenting with a wide range of cannabis-based ingredients, from hemp-derived CBD to THC-rich cannabis extracts.

While the legal status of these products remains murky in many jurisdictions, the continued popularity of cannabis beer suggests that the long, strange history of this unique intersection of two of humanity's most ancient intoxicants is far from over.

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