CBD-infused beer is coming to the United Kingdom soon, according to reports this week. The new beer, Buffalo Soldier Hemp Ale, contains cannabis oil as an added ingredient. The Stockton Brewing Company makes the new brew in Durham, England. The brewer expects to release their new product next month.
Anticipation is already brewing.
“The lads were excited about creating the product and are happy to be part of the first ale in the UK to contain cannabis oil,” a Buffalo Soldier spokesperson said.
“The first batch will be ready in six weeks and after many inquiries, we’ve got a feeling the product will be in demand and sell out quickly.”
It Won’t Get You High, Though
The brewer describes Buffalo Soldier as a “refreshing blonde ale.” The alcohol content comes in at 3.8 percent. That’s where any buzz you might get will come from. The cannabis oil used does not contain THC, the chemical in pot that gets a person high.
It does, however, have cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a cannabinoid with many reputed health benefits. Brits can now purchase CBD oil produced from hemp in UK pharmacies.
The new ale will sell at retail for about £3.50 (approximately $5 USD).
Named In Honor Of Reggae Icon
The company has dubbed their new product Buffalo Soldier in honor of reggae legend Bob Marley. Bob Marley and the Wailers recorded the song “Buffalo Soldier” prior to Marley’s death in 1981.
It was subsequently released on the 1983 album Confrontation and became a worldwide hit single. The title refers to black soldiers who served with the U.S. cavalry following the Civil War.
Domestic Options Are Available, Too
Buffalo Soldier is the first CBD beer to be sold in the UK, but it’s not the first ever. Fortune reported last year that Coalition Brewing in Portland, Oregon was using CBD in their beers. The company infuses its Two Flowers IPA with both CBD and hemp juice.
Elan Walsky is one of the co-founders of Coalition Brewing. He says that cannabis and brewing are a perfect match.
“Doing this beer opened up a whole new consumer segment to us. There’s a natural synergy between the two industries, in that there’s an emphasis on craft and locality,” he said.
American brewing companies have also used other constituents of cannabis in some of their products. Lagunitas Brewing Company in California released an ale called Supercritical last year. Lagunitas infused that beer with cannabis terpenes to give the complex flavor strong hints of lemon and grass. Supercritical’s limited release was only available on draft.
Final Hit: CBD-Infused Beer Is Coming To The United Kingdom
Karen Hamilton is the director of communications for Lagunitas Brewing. She says the company intends to give the infused beer another go.
“What I can tell you now is that we are planning to brew it again and we learn more as we move forward and there’s a whole big country out there,” she said. “Right now we are going through some additional paperwork. When that’s complete, it will be determined when we are brewing it again.”
Buffalo Soldier Hemp Ale should hit pubs and shops in April. Oscar’s Gin Bar in Stockton and other local establishments have already put in their first orders.
