Harpoon Brewery is launching its first THC-based beverage: Rec. Weed. 

Made in partnership with Massachusetts' Novel Beverage Company, Rec. Weed is a hop-forward beverage made with 5 mg of THC, real passionfruit puree, green tea and hops. With tropical juiciness and citrusy hop notes, Rec. Weed has a clean, crisp finish.

Each can contains 25 calories and 3 g of sugar.

"The adult beverage space is constantly evolving,” said Dan Kenary, Harpoon CEO and co-founder. “With THC now legalized in states across much of the country – especially here in the Northeast – we saw not only high demand for a THC-based beverage, but an opportunity to experiment in a way that would uniquely leverage our strengths in the beer world. We knew we had to find the right partner to help craft Rec. Weed, and Novel Beverage Co.'s vast knowledge of the industry and strong New England roots made them the ideal team to work with on this release."

Rec. Weed is brewed similarly to a session ale but without fermentation, meaning it has no alcohol content. The process starts with a base of green tea and a bit of added sugar, followed by the cold steeping of Citra and other West Coast hop oils and passionfruit puree. After the steeping process, THC is added to the liquid base, and the beverage is carbonated like a traditional beer. This process imparts minimal THC flavor or aroma.

"Our consumers come to us with an innate curiosity to try new THC products from brands they can trust. Rec. Weed meets them at the intersection of what they want – a buzz through a non-alcoholic and low-calorie beverage that doesn't sacrifice on taste," Donald Wyse, COO of Seagrass Dispensary in Salem, Massachusetts. "Both Harpoon's and Novel Beverage Co.'s expertise in their respective fields contributed to creating an exciting product we know our consumers will love. We're excited to roll Rec. Weed out."

The launch of Rec. Weed marks the second step into cannabis-inspired products for Harpoon's parent company, Mass. Bay Brewing Company. Mass. Bay Brewing introduced Long Trail's CBD Seltzers, available in Raspberry Lime, Blueberry Melon and Blackberry flavors. Long Trail's CBD Seltzer can be purchased at Long Trail Tap Room in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont and is also distributed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Rec. Weed will be available in 12-oz. slim cans with a suggested retail price of $6.99. It will be available year-round at recreational dispensaries throughout Massachusetts.