Anyone who has ever been involved in the world of craft beer knows that they are no passive drinkers. They are reading labels, talking about hop varieties, and driving many miles for a taproom of a kind to talk about. When something new arises, an intentional, curious attitude regarding what goes in the glass carries over, and for more and more craft beer lovers, that new thing is THC beverages. The overlap is not as much surprising as it may appear. Flavor and understanding what you are eating are two quality categories that can attract anyone who values tasting what they’ve created and taking pleasure in the social ritual of sharing the product of thought. 

The Shift Toward Mindful Drinking

A lot of what is going on here relates to a bigger change in people’s attitudes towards drinking socially. Craft beer did a lot to help propel that discussion along by tipping people off to avoid the flaccid, unfocused mass-produced macro lagers. The same approach, seeking to learn more about what you are drinking and why, is encouraging some to look at alternatives to alcohol.

The Brewers Association has observed a steady trend toward increasing demand for no- and low-alcohol products in the craft segment, driven by true consumer demand for the ritual and flavor without the alcohol. While they share a niche, THC beverages do not replace the social nature of drinking, but provide another benefit for when a person doesn’t want alcohol.

What Draws Craft Beer Drinkers to THC Seltzers?

Knowing the culture of craft beverages is a part of the draw. The fruity flavours of THC seltzers appeal to the sort of palate that craft beer cultivates: the ability to detect nuances of sweetness, acidity, and aroma. The tropical, ginger lemonade, and watermelon are more like a well-made shandy or fruit sour than anything in the more traditional cannabis product realm. 

It’s not beyond the realm of possibility for your drinker to be familiar with a hazy IPA or a kettle sour. That layered-foam drink isn’t out of the ordinary for your drinker. Because of this emphasis on flavor, award-winning Crescent 9 THC Seltzer has become a favorite among craft beer drinkers looking for complex flavor profiles and fast-acting effects. It’s less like stepping into the unknown and more like a lateral move within a world they already know.

Knowing What’s in the Can

Craft beer drinkers are used to checking labels before they buy: ABV, ingredients, brewing process, and tasting notes. The transparency extends to the Quality THC beverage brands, too: the amount of THC per serving, a dosage guideline, and links to third-party lab testing to confirm what is actually in the can. To someone who is already minded this way, it’s not that much of a learning curve; it’s the level of detail they’re expecting.

A Category for the Curious

THC beverages won’t be replacing craft beer anytime soon, and most craft beer drinkers don’t seem to be thinking about making the switch. More likely is the two coexisting, with people moving back and forth between the two as per the situation. If you are enjoying a Friday night at a taproom, you may want to take a sip of a hazy IPA. A Sunday afternoon on the patio might feel more like a 5 mg seltzer. That kind of flexibility suits a beer lover’s mindset well; they’ve never been inclined to stick with one thing when there are more worth trying.