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Yet another sizable regional craft brewer is launching a line of hemp-derived THC bevs. But this may be a bigger bet than most other regional entrants so far. After "deeply studying THC beverages" for the past 2 yrs, visiting different mkts across the country, trying different products and talking with suppliers, distribs, retailers and consumers, OH's Rhinegeist is diving in with Fuzzy Bones sparkling THC bevs, co announced yesterday. Fuzzy Bones is branded under the Rhinegeist name, but gets its own website offering sales to consumers and product info, including attached certificates of compliance from Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs MI. It's "made with real juice, and infused with naturally occurring Delta 9 THC derived from the hemp plant." Brand comes in 3 flavors at 5mgs of THC each, plus an additional 10mg of CBG or CBN depending on the flavor: blood orange + tangerine, lemon blueberry and blackberry hibiscus. Starting Oct 22 (yesterday), Rhinegeist began selling Fuzzy Bones at its taproom for $18.99 per 4pk and for onsite consumption, CEO Adam Bankovich told CBN ($22.99 per 4pk on its website). Yet co's set up to "move much faster" and expand the product far more rapidly than it has in beer, he noted. Co wants to be "a major player" in this space. "Any market that wants it," Rhinegeist is willing to go there, expecting to use THC bevs as a lead brand for states outside of its beer distribution footprint, he detailed. They've got a devoted team supporting Fuzzy Bones, and the product is viewed as "a great way for us to launch" mkts outside of its current footprint, said Adam. And its contract partner has ample capacity to scale up Fuzzy Bones, he assured.OH House Approved Amended Legislation; Up to 5mg THC On Site, 10mg To Go Launch comes within one week of OH Gov Mike DeWine's 90-day ban of hemp THC bevs (see Oct 8 issue of sibling pub INSIGHTS Express) which drew criticism from OH Craft Brewers Assn and recent entrant into the hemp THC bev space, Great Lakes, among others (see Oct 16 issue). But OH legislature moved toward establishing clearer regulatory structure for both cannabis and hemp, seemingly emboldening Rhinegeist to move forward with plans. Earlier this wk, state House amended and approved a bill already passed by the Senate, per Marijuana Moment. Under the amended law, licensed stores and breweries would be permitted to sell hemp-derived THC bevs with on-site consumption limited to 5mg of THC and ability to buy drinks to-go up to 10mg, article detailed. OH suppliers can make more potent drinks, but only for sales outside of the state. And new $1.20 tax per gallon would be imposed.While still in nascent stage, hemp THC bevs in OH caught on quicker than in many other states, drawing multiple local brewers into the mix including Fifty West, Great Lakes and now Rhinegeist. Prior to the ban, Fifty West Brewing's Sunflower THC Seltzer expected to surpass 30K cases statewide in OH (see Oct 8 issue). Listed at $19.99 per 6pk of 12oz cans on its website, suggests Sunflower revs were on track to fly past $2 mil. Adam gave a shoutout to Fifty West's Bobby Slattery, among others, for working with Rhinegeist thruout their process of studying the hemp THC category and determining to enter. "Fuzzy Bones is the culmination of a massive team effort aimed at creating a fun, delicious beverage that offers an approachable, consistent experience every time," Adam said in released statement. "As the number one craft brewery in Ohio, we realize the important role we can play in raising awareness and credibility in our home state and beyond for this emerging industry," he added.Rhinegeist Beer Aims to Finish the Yr Flat; Staying "Focused" on Beer Decision to enter hemp THC bevs also comes against the backdrop of a more challenging beer industry. Rhinegeist is "facing similar headwinds" as the rest of the industry, Adam acknowledged. But co is "still focused" on beer and hopes to finish flat this yr with high ABV Truth Bomb imperial IPA and Imperial Bubbles, plus non-alc Ghost Haze and Pils, and collective growth of Cincy Light/Lime family boosting trends, Adam noted. Recall, Rhinegeist sold 118K bbls in 2024. Co has "focused plan" for its beer biz next yr while also looking to capitalize on perceived big oppys in the budding arena of hemp THC.

Rhinegeist Launching Fuzzy Bones Sparkling D9 THC Bevs; Ambition to Become a "Major Player"; Hoping for Flat Beer Sales in 2025

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