Mybeerbuzz .com Highlights Long Trail Medicator CBD-Infused Beer

I’ve been following along with the story of the creation of this beer since Sept 2017 and with all of the debate lately about how the legalization of marijuana was affecting (or not affecting) the craft beer world, I thought it was interesting to see this type of beer heading to market.  Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen more than a few “hemp beers” come and go, but this collaboration between Long Trail Brewing and Luce Farms seems different.

Today we’re sampling the new Medicator beer from Long Trail, and this beer is “Vermont’s first CBD-Infused beer.”  Before you ask, CBD is a hemp-cannabidol aka a naturally occurring chemical compound found in hemp plants that has significant medical benefits for patients of all kinds (seizures, inflammation, pain, anxiety…).  No you don’t get a buzz or “stoned” from CBD and it can in fact counteract some of the traditional effects of THC (the compound in the plant that delivers the buzz).  And before you also ask, NO I’m not a doctor…so your mileage may vary from my opinions on CBD.

Back in Sept 2017, Long Trail began working with Luce Farm to create a beer using CBD and hemp honey in a beer, more specifically using hemp honey and ginger to create a CBD-infused IPA.

Medicator is an IPA / American pale ale and it is “finished” with “terpenes and hemp oil” from Luce Farms…and  I’ll admit I’m very curious to taste it so off we go.

From a visual-standpoint the beer pours a bright golden color with all the look of a typical pale or IPA.  We found aromas of ginger, citrus and a bit of a floral note that we attributed mostly to the hops.  If you’re expecting some sort of pot/hemp aroma, you may find a bit in the floral end of the nose.  The beer taste also leads with some spice and ginger with a bit of dull sweetness from the honey and a bright refreshing citrus finish.  We did find a bit of late herbal/floral flavor to the beer as it warmed a bit, but again if you’re expecting prominent pot-like flavors, you won’t find them.  The beer finishes clean and refreshing and at 6.5%-AbV and 45 IBU we found it to be very drinkable and enjoyable.

I can’t really do much justice in this post to any of the benefits of the CBD, (especially with the amount we sampled) but I will definitely report back and update the post if I note any results in the longer term.

All-in-all Long Trail Medicator is a really enjoyable beer, and I congratulate Long Trail and Luce Farms on the interesting idea and forward-thinking concept.  Cans of this beer are available now (released 2/16) in a VERY limited quantity, but if you do get to try this beer for yourself, be sure to let us know what YOU think.