With the summertime heat wave in full effect throughout California, we here at Beard Bros are always looking for new ways to stay cool and enhance our hangouts and seshes with friends.
With cannabis quickly evolving into a modern CPG business sector, there are always new products hitting the shelves to elevate our terpene craving taste buds. Some come from brands you’ve never heard of looking to make a splash, while other times it’s from a company with a long-established brand and a loyal consumer base looking to expand into cannabis. Such is the case with Pabst Labs and their new product line of infused beverages.
And in true Pabst Labs fashion, they dropped a Seltzer, a Root Beer, and a high dose St. Ides shot all at the same time to dive into the summer drink market at the deep end of the pool. We sat down with Mark Faicol, Brand Manager for Pabst Labs, to get his views on all things drinks and why they don’t take their foray into the cannabis market lightly.
“PBR High Seltzer Seltzer marks a major milestone – one we’ve been developing for several years. With over 178 years of history, it was vital that we create something worthy to wear the Blue Ribbon that’s accessible to all customers, whatever their experience level with cannabis. We believe our infused seltzer has the ability, the quality, and the badge to get consumers to experiment and try something new.”
Now I know what your thinking…here comes another corporate alcohol brand just looking to increase its bottom line. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and the rebellious spirit that exists in almost all cannabis users is also front and center with Pabst Labs.
“PBR has long shared ethos and sensibilities with the cannabis community. Simply put, a number of PBR fans and advocates were also cannabis consumers. Thus, it made perfect sense to launch a cannabis beverage. The Pabst brand has since been very welcomed into the cannabis space; it’s a brand that everyone can relate to.”
With annual sales of cannabis beverages projected to reach nearly $2 billion by 2028, it’s no wonder so many brands are eager to launch new cannabis drinks and stake a claim in this growing industry segment. If the popularity and positive feedback from the recent Cannabis Drinks Expo events held in San Fransisco and Chicago are any indication, this market segment is only rising higher. Before too long, expect that your local cop or fireman will be following the lead of New York City and be subbing alcohol out for cannabis drinks at the next barbecue.
That’s why we took a sip of some of the chillest THC infused beverages to enjoy in LA this summer. Before we do, a quick primer on drinks for the beginners out there.
What are Cannabis Drinks?
Cannabis drinks are typically THC-rich products that have infused cannabinoids and terpenes into a consumable beverage product. Cannabis drinks offer the perfect dosage size for any cannabis consumer, whether you are a heavy hitter or just want a little microdose to elevate your day. They are also rapidly expanding product offerings into CBD, CBN, CBG, and other minor cannabinoids as they look for new ways to reach consumers with specific needs.
Drinks are different from liquid cannabis tinctures. Although they both are liquid, “drinks” are usually flavored or are replicating some of your favorite non-infused beverages like tea, lemonade, or soda. Tinctures tend to be more basic in their flavors, and designed for a more medicinal function.
How are Cannabis Drinks Made?
A process called “nano-emulsification” is the hard science behind infusing THC, cannabinoids, & terpenes into food products & tinctures. Time to get our nerd on and explain what “nano” means since you likely see it advertised on a multitude of cannabis products.
Pabst Labs High Seltzer
Your favorite Blue Ribbon has now embraced cannabis!
PBR High Seltzer is a “different kind of buzz” with 10 mg THC per can. Crafted with purified water, lemon juice concentrate, just 4 grams of sugar, California cannabis extract and other natural flavors, High Seltzer is the perfect THC beverage of the summer – Blue Ribbon Certified.
Pabst Labs utilizes one of the more unique can designs in cannabis, coming in a recyclable, resealable aluminum can. This allows you to dose throughout the day if you don’t feel like finishing a can in one go. We love little touches like that, and they are the kind of small value adds that turn a good brand experience into a great one.
PBR High Seltzer offers four unique flavors; Strawberry Kiwi, Lemon, Passion Fruit Pineapple, or Mango Blood Orange.
At 10 mg, PBR’s High Seltzer is an ideal dose of THC even for beginners, and Pabst Labs stays true to its brand integrity by offering a weed drink that is affordable, easily drinkable, and guaranteed to promote a good time.
We had Bill try the High Seltzer line since he isn’t a regular cannabis beverage drinker, and he came away impressed.
“My first thought was that Pabst has been around for over a hundred years, this is what they do, they make drinks. So I came in with high expectations, and yet I was still not disappointed,” Bill said, adding, “I prefer to taste some actual cannabis in my edibles and drinks, but I also don’t want it to overpower the flavor of the drink itself or mute it. They’ve done an excellent job of letting you know there is cannabis there, but with a great flavor profile behind it that has you ready for that next sip”
Bill’s PBR High Seltzer Choice- Passion Fruit Pineapple
Jeff’s PBR High Seltzer Choice- Strawberry Kiwi
Not Your Father’s Root Beer
This for sure isn’t your father’s root beer. Or his actual beer, for that matter. Expertly crafted and dosed with 10mg of THC, this classic soda now elevates both your taste buds and your endocannabinoid system. Not Your Father’s Root Beer has partnered with Vertosa, an emulsion technology company, in order to perfect the THC infusion of this beverage.
We had Jeff give this one a try, but in all honesty we think he would have stolen it to drink for himself anyway…so I guess it all worked out in the end.
“Growing up in the northeast as a kid, root beer and birch beer were staples of every family gathering and summer get together, so popular that it was usually in keg form. I not only love the flavor of Not Your Father’s Root Beer, but it takes me back to the nostalgia of being a kid in the 80s and a much simpler time. Add in the fact it gives me a nice, even buzz and I’m sold,” says Jeff.
St. Ides Shots
Heavily dosed at 100mg per bottle. These Shots from St. Ides pack a powerful punch in one small bottle. Dose at a level you are comfortable with, even heavy stoners like us can get rocked by 100mg edible or drink.
Crafted in three awesome flavors, Blue Razz, Watermelon, & Strawberry Lemonade, these sweet and satisfying shots work quicker than an average edible and allow for the most efficient absorption into your system.
Bill’s Choice- Watermelon
Jeff’s Choice- Strawberry Lemonade
St. Ides also partnered with MISSION GREEN and founder Weldon Angelos to help drive awareness and help support those unjustly charged with first-time non-violent cannabis offenses. They developed a powerful two-gram blunt and a collaboration merchandise line. Proceeds from the product and merch lines went to support MISSION GREEN and their efforts.
All products are available for purchase on Pabst Labs Delivery.
Currently, delivery is available in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Fransisco Bay Area.
