• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

ALL IN THE FAMILY: PACK YOUR BOWL AND FILL YOUR PINT GLASS ON 420

Written by JEFF LAWRENCE Posted April 16, 2015 Filed Under: COLUMNS, Honest Pint, LIFESTYLE

HP_HopWeed_728

Given the intoxicating nature of both hops and cannabis, it should come as no surprise that they are closely related. Both of these species of Cannabaceae flowering plants are part of a larger group of multiple genera that collectively include over 150 species in total. While most in the family are actually trees, and quite distinct in their many characteristics from hops or weed, others are herbaceous plants. Cannabis and hops in particular have a kinship often overlooked, and almost always misunderstood.

 

Cannabaceae male plants tending to be taller and more vine-like, while the female plants tend to be smaller and produce less flowers. But, specifically in the case of cannabis, it’s the female plants that produce the necessary concentration of the “high”-inducing component THC. Through extensive cross-breeding and cloning of cannabis sativa and indica strains, the differences in intensity and high are marked and substantial.

 

The same can be said about hops, although not quite in the same way. Female hops contain the necessary materials used in brewing, but how they are used in the brewing process makes all the difference to the outcome. Hops continue to break down through oxidation, so the fresher the hops, the greater the resulting bitterness in the final product (see: IPAs), whereas cannabis can be preserved for years and retain it’s potency. Although cross-breeding the two for purposes of brewing does not necessarily result in a THC-filled hops monster, the reality is many brewers have tried and even succeeded in infusing beer with dry cannabis leaves. Home brewers in Colorado and Washington state (where recreational cannabis has been legalized) have stepped up experimenting with cross-breeding, dry-hopping, and even straight up brewing with massive amounts of both hops and cannabis flowers to create a pothead and craft beer enthusiast’s wet dream. To date, nothing has ever hit the market. And probably won’t. In my opinion that’s a good thing; the wonderful quenching sensation of a cold malty offering after the mouth cottons up due to a bong hit or a slow pull off a vape pen is one to be cherished. And why disrupt that perfect marriage?

 

Some think it’s worth the disruption, or at least worth marketing in a very crafty ways (any co-branding of hops and cannabis would never pass the regulation muster needed to get to market). Among them, Lagunitas Brewing Censored Rich Copper Ale, which was originally called “Kronik” before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) censored the name, the aptly named Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale, and Oskar Blue’s Pinner Throwback IPA.

 

What these beers and brewers all have in common—beyond cheeky marketing—is a shared respect for the history and connection of these two amazing plants, which most have no idea are sisters in the same family.

 

So the next time the clock strikes 4:20, or you sit down to read the annual cannabis issue of your favorite local alt-weekly, light a joint—but also pour a cold beer.

JEFF LAWRENCE
More from author
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    PUMPKIN BEER
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    MEDFORD BREWING COMPANY
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    HOPPED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    7th ANNUAL MASS BREWERS FEST

Filed Under: COLUMNS, Honest Pint, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: batf, cannabaceae, cannabis, Colorado, craft beer, edibles, flowers, home brewers, Hops, indica, IPA, lagunitas, rich copper ale, sativa, skar blue's, sweetwater 420, thc, throwback ipa, vape, washington state

WHAT’S NEW

PICS & RECAP: COMMUNITY CANDLE VIGIL HONORING VICTIMS OF ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE

PICS & RECAP: COMMUNITY CANDLE VIGIL HONORING VICTIMS OF ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE

CAMBRIDGE CHURCH MINISTER SPEAKS ABOUT RECENT VANDALISM OF SIGN

CAMBRIDGE CHURCH MINISTER SPEAKS ABOUT RECENT VANDALISM OF SIGN

PRESSLEY MEETS WITH LOCAL 26 WORKERS

PRESSLEY MEETS WITH LOCAL 26 WORKERS

THE HOUR THAT THE SHIP COMES IN

THE HOUR THAT THE SHIP COMES IN

JANEY OFFICIALLY DECLARES THAT SHE WILL RUN FOR FULL TERM

JANEY OFFICIALLY DECLARES THAT SHE WILL RUN FOR FULL TERM

"Boston Sunset" by walknboston is licensed under CC BY 2.0

EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR KIM JANEY

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • rally to protest discrimination and crimes against Asian and Pacific islanders during Stop Asian Hate rally on Boston Common in Boston PICS & RECAP: “STOP ASIAN HATE BOSTON” RALLY ON THE COMMON by KEIKO HIROMI
  • VACCINE EQUITY NOW! COALITION ASKS BAKER TO ALLOCATE 20% OF NEW DOSES TO HARD HIT COMMUNITIES by SHIRA LAUCHAROEN
  • A NEW PLACE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO CALL HOME IN TOUGH TIMES by MARK EMMONS
  • A FAREWELL TRIBUTE (OF SORTS) TO MARTY WALSH by DIG STAFF
  • RESEARCHERS SHOW EXTENT OF LOBBYING AGAINST CLIMATE BILLS IN MA by JON LAMSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 2.1 – March 2021

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

Footer

digbos

digbos
EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR KIM JANEY. Environmental organizations and individual activists invited to submit opinion articles for publication. https://digboston.com/editorial-digboston-seeks-climate-ideas-for-mayor-kim-janey/ #politics @boston_mayor #environment #globalwarming #climate #activist #callforsubmissions #policy #Boston #Massachusetts
“Most are some of my favorite bars or local clas “Most are some of my favorite bars or local classics that I’ve learned to love in my time living in the city. Others just have a great facade that I know would make a great drawing.” https://digboston.com/drawn-but-not-forgotten-local-artist-sketches-beloved-boston-restaurants/ #art #artist #sketch #drawing #Boston #Massachusetts #bar #restaurant
Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors hit new high notes. “My #teaching has gone to another level.” https://digboston.com/the-medium-is-the-maestro/ #education #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chron From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chronicles the business of joke-telling. https://digboston.com/the-history-of-stand-up-from-mark-twain-to-dave-chappelle/ #comedy #history #book #interview #Boston #Massachusetts
“I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local “I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local field office and hear what people have to say.” https://digboston.com/dear-reader-the-political-season-is-upon-us-embrace-it/ #politics #commentary #election #Massachusetts
“I think most people agree that we want our publ “I think most people agree that we want our public dollars to go to those companies that are not cutting corners.” https://digboston.com/bill-seeks-to-penalize-contractors-for-unsafe-conditions/ #politics #legislation #construction #safety #labor #Massachusetts
“It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, t “It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, the state that puts itself forward as this paragon of democracy. Those are just fundamental building blocks of a democratic society.” https://digboston.com/researchers-show-extent-of-lobbying-against-climate-bills-in-ma/ #environment #globalwarming #climate #crisis #politics #lobby #Massachusetts
I was lucky enough to get an extra #vaccine. Here’s how it went down. https://digboston.com/young-healthy-and-inoculated/ #young #youth #student #college #vaccination #publichealth #health #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
The MBTA confirmed that it will “fully fund its The MBTA confirmed that it will “fully fund its operating budget in the coming fiscal year and begin to restore cut service.” https://digboston.com/public-transit-public-good-responds-to-restoring-mbta-service/ #transportation #politics #Massachusetts
MASSHOLES LIKE BAKER BECAUSE REASONS: Suffolk/Glob MASSHOLES LIKE BAKER BECAUSE REASONS: Suffolk/Globe #poll finds governor’s height to be much admired. https://digboston.com/massholes-like-baker-because-reasons/ #politics #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]