Chances are, you’ve heard of Lagunitas the beer company. What you might not have known is that this iconic beer brand has been dabbling in cannabis for years, whether just a part of their brewing culture or creating an actual product, like Hi-Fi Hops.
Lagunitas partnered up with extract company AbsoluteXtracts to make this possible, which resulted in the creation of one the first cannabis terpene-infused beers. That turned out to be illegal without them knowing (welcome to the difficult world of cannabis legality), so they pivoted to hop-infused sparkling waters.
To make this process as smooth as possible both from a logistical and legal standpoint, Lagunitas brews the hop sparkling water at their facility, and then sends to AbsoluteXtracts for the infusion.
There are other cannabis sparkling waters on the market, but I believe Hi-Fi Hops is the only one to be hop-centric – this is really how the brand seems to differentiate themselves from the pack. However, I’m unsure whether this product makes sense to market towards beer-lovers since the beverage itself doesn’t taste much like beer.
On the plus side, Hi-Hops has a pretty quick absorption time, since the cannabinoids are likely absorbed sublingually. This means you can feel the effects in just 5-15 minutes, rather than waiting 90 minutes like a traditional edible.
Technical Details
| Availability: | CA, CO |
| Where to Buy: | Hi-Fi Hops, Eaze |
| Price: | $$$ |
| Strength: | Mild |
| THC Potency: | 2mg – 10mg |
| Extraction Method: | CO2 |
| Product Types: | Infused Sparkling Water |
| Manufactured: | Sonoma County, CA |
| Similar Brands: | Cann, Creative Waters, Rebel Coast, Pabst Labs |
Editor’s Picks
- Lagunitas’ 5:5 Hi-Hops is the best of both worlds when it comes to CBD and THC. Featuring a balanced ratio, this offering is perfect for breaking the ice, and maybe even having a little buzzed fun, too.
Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops (5:5)
Lagunitas’ 5:5 Hi-Hops is a great socializing drink meant to function more like a beer. With 5mg CBD and 5mg THC per bottle, this is a good drink to add to your lineup if you don’t like alcohol or traditional beer. The effects of this drink can be felt in just 5-15 minutes – one of the many benefits of absorbing cannabinoids sublingually. At $7 per bottle, this drink is priced similarly to a craft beer, without the bloat.
Product Summary
I love a good 1:1 CBD to THC ratio, and when that comes in a refreshing and effervescent beverage, even better! I enjoyed this drink probably over the course of an hour, and I felt calm and at-ease. Just remember to refrigerate your Hi-Fi Hops because it doesn’t taste great at room temperature.
Goods
- Afternoon/Evening
- Price
- Anxiety
- Activation Time
- Easy dosage
- Flavor
Bads
- Availability
- Aches/Pain
| CBD:THC Ratio: | 5:5 |
| CBD: | 5mg |
| THC: | 5mg |
| Extract Type: | Full-Spectrum |
| Price: | $7 |
| Lab Report: | – |
| Good For: | #Anxiety |
| Effects Felt: | Calm, Energized, Happy |
| Smell: | Tart, Hoppy |
| Taste: | Hops |
Lagunitas THC Hi-Fi Hops (10mg)
With 10mg per bottle, I like to call this offering in the lineup “Hi-Fi Hops Full Octane.” The THC catapults you into deeper relaxation, so save this for when you want to seriously unwind or socialize at home. At $7 per bottle, this is comparable to a craft beer, if you’re used to those types of prices. You’ll feel the effects in just 5-15 minutes, with a more steady and building high depending on how fast you drink it.
Product Summary
Lagunitas’ 10mg Hi-Fi hops is perfect for the more regular cannabis consumer who might be looking for more than just a little buzz. I particularly liked it since I’m not one for alcohol. The taste is refreshing, but the hops seem a bit more like an afterthought than the primary flavor. This effervescent beverage needs to be refrigerated for best taste.
Goods
- Evening
- Price
- Activation Time
- Easy dosage
- Flavor
- Mood
Bads
- Availability
- Aches/Pain
| CBD:THC Ratio: | 0:1 |
| CBD: | <2mg |
| THC: | 10mg |
| Extract Type: | Full-Spectrum |
| Price: | $7 |
| Lab Report: | – |
| Good For: | #Anxiety, #Relaxing |
| Effects Felt: | Calm, Relaxed, Happy |
| Smell: | Hoppy, Earthy |
| Taste: | Hops |
Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops (18:1)
For those who are more keen to the CBD side of cannabis, Lagunitas’ 18:1 Hi-Fi Hops is for you. With 18mg CBD and less than 2mg THC per bottle, this item in the lineup has the same taste as the other two – the only difference is simply the ratio.
Because this is a CBD-heavy option, the effects will be a bit more subtle. Think more of a slight physical and mental relaxation versus any buzz or feeling of being “tipsy.” The product itself is more suited to a social setting in the evening, but you can technically enjoy it any time of day since it isn’t psychoactive.
Product Summary
Intended more to chill you out than put you in a state of bliss, the 18:1 ratio put me at ease without any psychoactive effects. The taste was good and in-line with the others, but not necessarily memorable. I love how effervescent the beverage is, and it looks cute that it’s sold in a dark brown bottle, just like beer. However, I still think the connection between hop water and actual beer is a bit of a stretch.
Goods
- Afternoon/Evening
- Price
- Activation Time
- Easy dosage
- Flavor
- Mood
Bads
- Availability
- Aches/Pain
| CBD:THC Ratio: | 18:1 |
| CBD: | 18mg |
| THC: | <2mg |
| Extract Type: | Full-Spectrum |
| Price: | $7 |
| Lab Report: | – |
| Good For: | #Anxiety, #Relaxing |
| Effects Felt: | Calm |
| Smell: | Hoppy |
| Taste: | Hops |