4 Hands Brewing enters the THC beverage market

Courtesy of 4 Hands Brewing

Courtesy of 4 Hands Brewing

4 Hands Brewing Company is expanding into the ever-growing THC beverage market with the launch of 4 Hands Cannabis Company, a new line of hemp-derived THC sparkling drinks designed for flavor, balance, and a different kind of buzz. The debut lineup—Zest, Raz, and Trop—arrives November 7 at 4 Hands locations and statewide November 10.

At first glance, it might sound like a leap from hops to hemp. But for founder and CEO Kevin Lemp, it’s the latest evolution of what the brewery has always done best: build beverages meant to connect people.

“We’ve been watching this category for four or five years and chose to be patient before jumping in,” Lemp says. “We’re excited to take our curiosity, craftsmanship, and talent for innovation into a new space, creating beverages that are bright, balanced, and built for moments of connection, creativity, and calm.”

The Drinks

The new THC beverages are fruit-forward and nonalcoholic, each featuring 5 milligrams of delta-9 THC and a complementary adaptogen to shape the experience. Adaptogens are plant-based ingredients, often herbs, roots, or mushrooms, which are believed to help the body manage stress and maintain balance.

• Zest combines lemon and yuzu with cordyceps for an energizing feel
• Raz blends raspberry, lime, and rose with goji berry for balance
• Trop mixes passionfruit, mango, and guava with reishi mushrooms for relaxation

“We did more due diligence on this product than any we’ve ever created,” Lemp says. “We wanted to get the flavor, the dosage, and the experience right.”

The Audience

While THC drinks are new for most, Lemp believes that beer fans will feel comfortable exploring this new kind of beverage. “Our goal isn’t to make a ‘cannabis drink’ for cannabis consumers,” he says. “It’s to make a beverage that beer and cocktail drinkers feel comfortable reaching for. You’re still cracking open a can, still sharing an experience. We’re giving people a way to unwind that fits into the same spaces where beer lives, just without the alcohol.”

To help introduce the category, 4 Hands will offer samples of unspiked versions, drinks with the same flavor profiles but no THC, so customers can understand the taste and style before trying the infused version.

Lemp says clear labeling will be key as THC beverages begin to reach a broader audience. “Milligrams are what people should be paying attention to,” he says. “That’s the equivalent of ABV in this category. Five milligrams is approachable. You’ll feel it in about 20 to 25 minutes, and because you sip it over time, it’s slow and balanced.”

The Future

Courtesy of Heidi Stehr / Heidi Creative Co

Courtesy of Heidi Stehr / Heidi Creative Co

Beer remains at the center of 4 Hands’ identity, but Lemp says diversification is key to long-term growth. “Beer isn’t going anywhere,” he says. “But we’ve always believed 4 Hands is more than a brewery. It’s a beverage company.”

The move to bring the cannabis line under the 4 Hands name, rather than creating a separate identity like 1220 Spirits, reflects that vision. “There’s a lot of brand equity in 4 Hands,” Lemp says. “Customers know and trust it, and that carries into new categories.”

Zest, Raz, and Trop mark the brewery’s first THC products and one of the earliest from a major Missouri craft producer. Lemp calls the launch a “launch and learn” moment. “We’re going to watch closely and listen,” he says. “Early feedback will shape what comes next.”

For now, 4 Hands Cannabis Company represents another step in how St. Louis’ leading brewery defines what it means to drink local. “Like I said, beer isn’t going anywhere,” Lemp says. “But how people choose to unwind is changing.”