Weed and beer, together at last.
That combination has been the backbone of every decent house party in America for decades. But Dank Dust from Seattle-based Elysian Brewing (owned by Anheuser-Busch) tries to kill two birds with one stone. No, this is not beer with weed in it. But it’s beer that smells like weed.
Yes, we’re doing aromatic beers now. Sipping on suds purely for the flavor or for the goofy effects it has on your mind is out. Get with the times and take a whiff of the devil’s nectar instead.
I got to try a free sample of Dank Dust at a 4/20 “Dank Singles Party” event hosted by the video speed dating app Filteroff. While the drink couldn’t alleviate my social anxiety like actual weed can (though its 8.2 percent ABV may help you loosen up in that regard), it certainly accomplished its other mission.
First, let me set the mood.
This party at Manhattan’s Katra Lounge was impressive in scope. The two-floor venue with bars on each level came with moody lighting, ornate decor, a DJ, hors d'oeuvres, an elevated hookah lounge in the back, and an enormous turnout. The place was packed and loud in a way that my shut-in self could barely deal with. The nice folks from Filteroff told me this was their first in-person singles event with hopes to do more and, based on the results, they might have something on their hands.
I just might not be in attendance next time because I don’t have the constitution for small crowded spaces anymore (thanks, COVID-19!). I was able, however, to find a quiet corner in the basement level with a bunch of pottery in the wall below a projector screen playing an NBA playoff game. It was a literal comfort zone for me.
Anyway, back to the dankness. Again, this is essentially a very sweet and hoppy beer that strongly gives off the scent of marijuana smoke when you open the can and breathe it in. They nailed that part. The description on the back of the Dank Dust can is honestly pretty spot-on:
“Dank Dust oscillates with aromas of lush grapefruit, mango, and orange, backed by an extra herbal kick for added freshness. The sweet hop flavor and low bitterness nods to the classic Space Dust we all know and love, turned up a notch.”
(Sidebar: If this journalism thing doesn’t work out, I’d like to write marketing copy for beer and energy drink cans.)
The actual flavor of the beer is a sweet, fruity mix with a good deal of hops to spice it up. I’m not really into hoppy beers because I am a child who just asks for the cheapest thing that tastes like nothing at every bar (shout out to Miller High Life and Tecate), but I found Dank Dust eminently drinkable.
More importantly, the smell works... especially right after opening the can. Imagine a massive cloud of weed smoke that came from someone smoking out of a hollowed-out grapefruit. That's what Dank Dust provides: A weirdly satisfying combo of weed smell and citrus. Crack open one of these bad boys and you might be taken back to that time you hung out with your friend’s weird, older brother who you thought was cool but definitely wasn’t. He just had weed and you were going to watch anime or skate videos with him to get some. I get it. It’s fine. We've all been there.
So is Dank Dust a world-changing beer innovation? Not really. It’s definitely something I would drink if it was handed to me at a party, which is really all I want out of beer. But I’m glad weed is now accepted enough that we can put a stoned cartoon bud on a beer can from a huge booze distributor like Anheuser-Busch, call it “Dank Dust,” and sell it without puritans yelling about it. Let’s fully decriminalize marijuana while we’re at it, folks.
Oh, and if you’re wondering: Yes, the first thing I did after getting home was smoke some actual weed. Gotta respect the holiday tradition.
