A Six-Pack of Beers to Drink on 4/20

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. 4/20 comes just once a year, and today’s the day, so why not celebrate with some dank craft brews!

While the reason for the season is a bit more risqué in most parts of the country, beer is widely available and embraced nationwide.

We're assuming that since you're here, you also partake – in quaffing quality ales. Here's a few suggestions for celebrating the world's largest unofficial holiday.

Sweetwater 420 – Originally brewed 21 years ago on 4/20/1997, this crisp classic has been helping soothe the toastiest of palates for decades with its rich blend of Munich, 40L and Two-Row malt combined with a classic mix of Centennial and Cascade hops. The 5.7% refresher even has its own festival, Sweetwater 420 Fest, taking place this year on April 20-22 in Sweetwater’s home of Atlanta, GA.

Lagunitas The Waldos’ Special Ale – Lagunitas is an OG West Coast brewer, renowned for its dank and juicy creations. They've teamed up with the Waldos to create this uber-botanical 11.5% and 100+ IBU resin bomb as part of their 2016 OneHitter Series. The Waldos are credited as the originators of the term "420" – in reference to the time they would meet after school by a statue of Louis Pasteur to share a toke. 

Short’s Brewing Devil’s Lettuce – This India Pale Lager is as hopped-up as any lager on Earth. Short’s Brewing in Bellaire, Michigan is known for great label artwork and interesting brews and this IPL delivers on both fronts. Named after a demonized nickname of 4/20’s herbaceous hero, this hoppy lager is easy-drinking with a solid snap of bitterness in the finish.

Kettlehouse Fresh Bongwater Hemp Ale – Kettlehouse Brewing Co. in Missoula, Montana has two beers that could feature heavily in any 4/20 festivies. The first, Olde Bongwater Hemp Porter, is a Robust Porter brewed with hemp that features all the chocolaty, roasty elements of a porter coupled with a weed-y element from the hemp. The brewery's Fresh Bongwater Hemp Ale, on the other hand, is an interesting pale gold brew that features complex maltiness, some nutiness and, of course, strikingly dank, resiny notes from the hemp. Just to clarify: It tastes a lot better than actual bong water.

Wicked Weed Freak of Nature – According to legend, King Henry VIII referred to hops as a “wicked and pernicious weed” that was destined to ruin beer forever. Little did he know another weed would become synonymous with wickedness down the line. Wicked Weed Brewing in Asheville, NC took that regal epithet to heart, making this monstrously hoppy Double IPA seemingly to spite him. Seeing as they’re related (and also share a name), Wicked Weed seemed like a fitting option on this day.

Sixpoint Resin – Any fan of 4/20 knows the deal – if you don’t have any other options, you might have to use the resin. Sixpoint Brewery in Brooklyn certainly knows this and they’ve created a popular DIPA that’s lush, dank and sticky – just like a forest full of our foliaged friends in the cannabaceae family of flowering plants.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share with the button above! Be safe out there. Cheers!