Brewslikeaking
Well-Known Member
Was considering brewing a cannabis beer. Putting an ounce of shake into the boil at 60minutes. Has anyone got experience with this. All stories welcome. This could be a fun thread.
Marijuana in beer
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andrewmaixner
Well-Known Member
From someone that knows a little chemistry and brewing but has no experience with mostly-illegal drugs: if you want to maximize effect (THC extraction), make a tincture, and add that. If you want taste/smell, do it like a dry-hop.
I have no idea how well beer will extract THC, but from what I've read, a strong alcohol will do so, hence the tincture.
I presume that it doesn't decay at boil temperatures, since it is often smoked. But I don't know if it will volatilize and boil off.
I have no idea how well beer will extract THC, but from what I've read, a strong alcohol will do so, hence the tincture.
I presume that it doesn't decay at boil temperatures, since it is often smoked. But I don't know if it will volatilize and boil off.
nettekdl
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Quick disclaimer, I live in washington so marijuana is legal. That being said I have a neighbor that loves marijuana and beer both and asked me to mix the two and it is not just as easy as throwing it in I learned. Sure adding it in the boil will make it taste like marijuana, but honestly that is awful trust me I tried. Also, thc is not alcohol or water soluble so you will get no effects from it. The only way to get that is to extract it into oil which is a very dangerous process at home and has cause a few large explosions in the area so I do not condone that. After many failed attempts I can tell you that it is better to just smoke it then brew with it. Cheers!
MindenMan
Well-Known Member
Actually, THC does dissolve in alcohol; just not at room temperature. Heat and time are required, but a basic double boiler will not only extract the THC, but can also change the cannibinoids to the Delta-9 molecule (think Precsription Marinol) if the correct process is followed. I do not advocate such a process personally as i do not know if the Feds would consider this process some form of "manufacturing" of a controlled substance. The State of Nevada (where I live) still does not allow for the recreational use of THC, so this is not a process I would personally consider doing.
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I'm Amazed that this thread has lasted so longMust be busy with the Korean spam. Wait am I derailing this thread.
I'm pretty sure they said a while ago due to the changing legality of marijuana in certain states that they would allow for it's discussion as long it relates to brewing....
NervousDad
BFM
Very cool! Thanks for the info!
m_c_zero
Well-Known Member
Could you maybe extract the oils from a soak in vodka or similar alcohol and then add to the beer at the end?
green dragon
TheHopfather
Well-Known Member
Here is some good info on it (Google is your friend);
Apparently THC is only slightly soluble in boiling water and requires oil, butter or alcohol to dissolve. Alcohol seems like the best choice is you'd like your beer to have any head. That site also goes on to say that marijuana sodas are made my adding tincture to the soda, I would assume the same would be true for adding it to beer. I would make a tincture with vodka and add it at bottling/kegging time. Dosage amount would be another interesting question, how much pot do you use in 5 gal of beer?
Interesting topic, report back how it works out for you.
Marijuana Tinctures & Tonics
Cannabis can be made into tinctures and tonics, which are then added to food and liquids, applied on the skin, or consumed directly in small amounts or by placing drops under the tongue. This is particularly useful when nausea and vomiting are present, such as when undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Tinctures and tonics are made much in the same way as edibles, but instead of cooking them in butter or oil, the cannabis flowered tops and leaves are soaked in alcohol. The solids are then finely strained, leaving behind a liquid that contains the THC and other cannabinoids that produce the needed medical relief. Typical dosage of marijuana tinctures is between two drops to no more than 2 full droppers. As with edibles, it is best to start slow and use only a small portion until relief from symptoms is achieved.
Cannabis can be made into tinctures and tonics, which are then added to food and liquids, applied on the skin, or consumed directly in small amounts or by placing drops under the tongue. This is particularly useful when nausea and vomiting are present, such as when undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Tinctures and tonics are made much in the same way as edibles, but instead of cooking them in butter or oil, the cannabis flowered tops and leaves are soaked in alcohol. The solids are then finely strained, leaving behind a liquid that contains the THC and other cannabinoids that produce the needed medical relief. Typical dosage of marijuana tinctures is between two drops to no more than 2 full droppers. As with edibles, it is best to start slow and use only a small portion until relief from symptoms is achieved.
Apparently THC is only slightly soluble in boiling water and requires oil, butter or alcohol to dissolve. Alcohol seems like the best choice is you'd like your beer to have any head. That site also goes on to say that marijuana sodas are made my adding tincture to the soda, I would assume the same would be true for adding it to beer. I would make a tincture with vodka and add it at bottling/kegging time. Dosage amount would be another interesting question, how much pot do you use in 5 gal of beer?
Interesting topic, report back how it works out for you.
drainbamage
The Poop Bag Guy
What if you randalled the beer through some buds?
It's a waste and makes the beer taste like chlorophyll. Drink a beer, smoke a joint.
TheHopfather
Well-Known Member
Now you've caught my interest...
According to the internet a typical joint is roughly 0.47g. Let's say you get 54 bottles of beer out of a 5 gal batch, and an ounce has 28g in it, you are looking at roughly the equivalent of 0.52g worth of THC per bottle of beer should you use a full ounce in the tincture. Roughly the same as consuming an entire joint to yourself.
Whether or not that is too strong or not strong enough is another matter, but I'd assume that would get you pretty darn close.
According to the internet a typical joint is roughly 0.47g. Let's say you get 54 bottles of beer out of a 5 gal batch, and an ounce has 28g in it, you are looking at roughly the equivalent of 0.52g worth of THC per bottle of beer should you use a full ounce in the tincture. Roughly the same as consuming an entire joint to yourself.
Whether or not that is too strong or not strong enough is another matter, but I'd assume that would get you pretty darn close.
Shoot for something like an oatmeal stout, and "dry hop" it with some buds. The combo of alcohol and the fat/oil from the oatmeal with help extract the THC, which is what your after I'm guessing. As far as i know adding it to the boil will not do anything for THC as it is not water soluble. I've tossed around this idea for a while, but the price of ingredients is far too high (pun most definitely intended) for me to attempt it.
FreddyMar3
Well-Known Member
I have done extensive research on this topic. The best way to go, as others have stated, is a grain alcohol tincture. The herb needs to be decarboxylated first. There are a number of methods for doing this, but the easiest is baking it in the oven at 240F for 50-60 minutes (or 310F for 12-18 minutes). This process converts THCA to THC and is necessary to get the results people expect upon consumption.
You can then add the grain alcohol in a ball jar and let it sit for a month or more. You don't NEED to heat the alcohol to dissolve the THC because the herb has already been decarboxylated. Heat will, however, speed up the process.
I started writing an in-depth tutorial on this to post to HBT but got side tracked and never finished it. I'll try to get around to posting it soon.
You can then add the grain alcohol in a ball jar and let it sit for a month or more. You don't NEED to heat the alcohol to dissolve the THC because the herb has already been decarboxylated. Heat will, however, speed up the process.
I started writing an in-depth tutorial on this to post to HBT but got side tracked and never finished it. I'll try to get around to posting it soon.
ColoHox
Compulsive Hand Washer
The flavors are bad when added during the boil or as a dry hop, very grassy, vegetal, and a bit skunky. Instead, make an extract with everclear or very high proof spirit, as was mentioned.
The mix also works better in a low ABV brew, like a session pale. If the goal is to feel the effects of both intoxicants, drop the ABV.
The mix also works better in a low ABV brew, like a session pale. If the goal is to feel the effects of both intoxicants, drop the ABV.
According to the internet that's why cannabis brownies work. However would that explain possibly why boiling in the wort is not a high enough temp?
ummmmm!
TheHopfather
Well-Known Member
I think it has more to do with THC being only partially soluble in water, rather than the boiling temp of water. You need the alcohol in order to extract the THC. If you are just looking for the taste boiling it would work, if you're looking for the active effects of THC you need a tincture made from alcohol.
hypothetically, if you could boil it in a pressure cooker at over 318F then would the THC, rather than the THCA have better water solubility?
FreddyMar3
Well-Known Member
THC is not water soluble. I can't imagine wanting that much vegetal taste in a beer anyway. Better off going with a tincture.
think QWISO
Another thing to consider is that a lot of folks don't react well to mixing THC and ethanol; I've heard of people getting nausea, extended hangover, and other problems from that combination. I'm assuming the OP doesn't have that problem - I don't, or least I don't remember anything like that, though it's been a few years and I never did much of either at one time - but it's something to keep in mind if you aren't sure how your body reacts to them together. Mixing entheogens ain't what you'd call an exact science.
FreddyMar3
Well-Known Member
That would work but you'd need to decarboxylate first or heat it after.
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