Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound found within the Cannabis sativa plant. The plant itself has been cultivated for centuries and used to produce industrial fibers, seed oil, food, and medicine, amongst other things. CBD is one of the components derived from the plant that is said to offer health benefits when consumed as an oil or infused with food. Unlike one of its popular counterparts Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, CBD does not induce intoxicating effects. For this reason as well as its proposed health benefits, CBD is growing in popularity in the hemp industry and being used in industries it had never been incorporated into previously – with the liquor industry being among one of the recent market sectors to introduce CBD into its products.
Let’s take a closer look at the use of CBD in beer.
What Does CBD Beer Do?
As we have already mentioned, CBD does not possess a formula that induces intoxicating effects when consumed and, therefore, CBD does not make an individual ‘high’. While CBD is a psychoactive compound, beer infused with CBD will not result in any mind-altering effects typical of beers that include THC. In fact, CBD beer is said to improve feelings of relaxation as well as uplift an individual’s mood. This is because the compound CBD is scientifically shown to be linked to antidepressant-like properties.
These factors make CBD an ideal product for consumers who do not wish to experience sensations representative of THC beers or even alcoholic beers for that matter. Non-alcoholic CBD beer is stripped of alcohol during the manufacturing process and, thus, is an ideal product for consumers who do not wish to experience the side effects of being intoxicated but still want to reap the benefits of CBD and the satisfaction of drinking beer.
How Is Non-Alcoholic CBD Beer Made?
The production of non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beer begins with the development of a non-alcoholic base that will satisfy the palate of beer drinks. This process is generally conducted by removing the alcohol content of a traditionally brewed beer. The alcohol is withdrawn and a cannabis nano emulsification, or water-soluble CBD, is infused into the beer.
The benefit of this type of non-alcoholic production is that CBD beer addresses the concerns of a large portion of the beer-drinking market – a segment fond of consuming beer-based products without experiencing the harmful side effects of traditional alcoholic products. Furthermore, this type of beer taps into a market of individuals who wish to consume CBD in methods that do not involve smoking.
Beyond providing these benefits to the consumer, CBD beer also brings with it the health benefits of the cannabinoid itself.
The Benefits Of CBD Beer
Products infused with CBD may offer, but are not limited to, the following benefits associated with the cannabinoid:
Pain Relief
The most common reason individuals consume CBD is for its pain-relieving properties. Scientific studies show that CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid receptor activity and works to reduce inflammation.
Anxiety Reduction
The antidepressant-like properties shown by CBD in recent studies suggest that it may possess the ability to reduce anxiety and stress associated with depression and negative mindsets.
CBD Beer Flavor Profile: Is It Right for You?
A key benefit to CBD beer production is that the nano emulsification process is made relatively neutral, allowing beer producers more control over their products’ flavor profiles. In essence, a brewing company can concoct just about any profile that they want to as long as they have the skills and resources to represent the desired beer flavors.
Many CBD beer breweries produce variations of IPAs, emphasizing the malty and fruity flavors typical of their traditional beer-based alcoholic counterparts. Ales are also seeing more production as the market calls for the toasty and nutty flavors associated with these types of beers. You may stumble upon hazy, German-beer inspired Witbiers or even darker, stout-like beers.
The possibilities are endless and there is almost always a non-alcoholic CBD beer that will match your desired beer flavor profile.
Is CBD Beer Legal And Where Can You Buy It?
Legalities around CBD differ from country to country and state to state, meaning that you will need to do further research into the availability of CBD beer within your specific area. In some cases, CBD beer has the green light for manufacturing provided it contains no alcohol while other instances see CBD infusions appearing in almost any consumable product thanks to the legalization of cannabis. Be sure to adhere to your state’s guidelines and source products from your area to both support the local brewing community as well as minimize the risk of losing your package.
Non-alcoholic CBD beer is gaining popularity for its benefits associated with the consumption of the cannabinoid CBD, as well as the fact that it can match the flavor profiles of most other traditional alcoholic beers. Keep your eyes peeled for CBD beer the next time you are in the store and consider giving these brand new brews a try!