Cannabis is classified in the plant kingdom under the family Cannabaceae family. So are hops, the active flavoring in beer. Although the two cousin plants have had widely divergent cultural acceptance around the world, they share many similar traits -- primarily, their potential for fragrance and flavor. Like cannabis, hops contain different combinations of terpenes that determine very specific taste profiles. It’s a no-brainer, then, to sample flavor-engineered craft beers along with some tasty strains. Consume responsibly, though, restricting yourself to one beer per session -- mixing cannabis and alcohol can have dangerous and unpredictable effects.

Cheese/Brooklyn EIPA

Cheese, an indica-dominant cross between Afghani, Mexican, and Colombian landraces, is said to hit hard and fast. The initial sensation of improved mood is followed by a powerful body-numbing high that leads to increased appetite. Some users report feeling more creative than lazy or tired, but the sedative indica effect often contributes to powerful couchlock. The heavy body melt provides relief from chronic aches and pains. Many find Cheese useful for the treatment of insomnia. Cheese tastes and smells like a strong cheddar, with some dank, skunky undertones. These flavors need a bold beer to stand up to, and Brooklyn Brewery’s East India Pale Ale is the perfect choice, with its spicy and piney aroma and particularly hoppy kick. Cheese is also known to stimulate appetite -- so why not pile on some sharp Wisconsin white cheddar?

Blueberry/Bluepoint Blueberry Ale

Blueberry is a premium strain developed around the late 1970s as a three way cross between  Thai and Afghani landraces and Oregon Purple Thai. Its buds boast red and purple colors in the plants’ early growing stages, later aging into exquisite shades of blue. A fruity, dusky scent is enhanced by an unmistakable blueberry flavor that has hints of grape and citrus. Blueberry has hybridized effects, providing a euphoric and relaxed state alongside a deep, long-lasting body buzz.

It’s also particularly helpful in treating chronic pain.

Blueberry is unique for its smooth and agreeable fruit flavor, unadulterated by any pungent hashy or skunky tones. This sweetness can only be enhanced by deeper fruit flavors. Blue Point Brewery produces a refreshing, low-ABV Blueberry Ale that goes down easy and makes a great companion to Blueberry bud for dessert, or at a spring picnic.

Vanilla Kush/Guinness Draught

Vanilla Kush is a strong sleepytime indica descended from some original asian strains. Buds are dense and sticky, nothing too special -- but the smell is amazing, with some vanilla and a slightly nutty scent. Even though it’s a pure, heavy indica, the smoke is super smooth and tastes a little like sugary vanilla icing. The high spreads down slowly from your head and shoulders, into total body melt. Prepare for a little haziness and confusion. Couchlock is common and sleep comes easily. Guinness, with its flavors of malty chocolate and coffee and its creamy texture, is an obvious choice for pairing with Vanilla Kush.

Consumed together, the two constitute a kind of tasty, grown-up milkshake.

As a bonus, a single pint of Guinness contains only 90 calories, leaving you free to snack at will -- if you can stay awake, that is.

California Orange/Blue Moon

California Orange, also known as California Orange Bud or C.O.B., is a hybrid of balanced indica and sativa composition with a fresh citrus scent. Buds are sticky and densely packed and the smell is initially pungent and skunky, with a strong citrus base. Burned, the flowers have a spicy, clove-like scent. The smoke is smooth and has a sweet aftertaste. This strain presents a primarily clearheaded, mellow high. Feelings of calm settle in quickly, accompanied by an elevation of the senses. Cerebral without being too intense, California Orange aids creativity and focus, making it beneficial for anxiety and attention deficit disorders. Have you ever had a Blue Moon Belgian White served with a fresh orange wedge? The acidity of the orange perfectly complements the smooth and wheaty taste of Blue Moon’s most popular variety (which is modeled after the witbiers of Belgium and The Netherlands). It follows that California Orange is a dreamy, potent accompaniment to Blue Moon’s Belgian White -- although this strain would also work well with Hoegaarden or Kronenbourg Blanc.

Mango/Schofferhoffer Grapefruit

Mango is a hybrid crossed from Afghan hybrid KC-33 and KC Special Select and known for its dynamic fruity taste. Mango has notoriously large, dense buds that smell strongly of ripe mango with very little skunk or musk. Smoke is smooth and tastes fruity and sweet on exhale with a little bit of earthiness. Focused relaxation and general contentment come on first, with a heavier indica body stone creeping in as the high progresses. Many also describe a relief from muscle and body tension. Because of this strain’s tropical citrus qualities, a fruity summer shandy makes a nice accompaniment. Schofferhoffer’s Grapefruit Hefeweizen has a great balance between tangy citrus and malted wheat that mirrors Mango’s combination of fruit and earth. The combination is great for a mellow summer afternoon -- or for a winter day when you wish you could be kicking it on a beach.

OG Kush/Resin

One of the most popular strains available today, OG Kush is a strong, social sativa. When cured, buds are neon green, extremely dense, and covered in crystals. The signature “ocean-grown” scent is earthy and lemony and in this variety it’s mellowed out by a musty, piney base. The effects are more cerebral than physical, with potent and long-lasting euphoria. Although it generally offers a happy, mobile high, there can be heavy couchlock for novice users, or when the strain is consumed in high doses.

OG Kush is great for daytime or early evening use, as the energetic high lends itself to group activities and stimulating conversation.

OG Kush calls for a worthy companion and nothing could be better suited to its earthy vibe than Sixpoint Brewery’s appropriately named Resin. Resin has a sharp piney taste with suggestions of grapefruit, supported by a smooth malted flavor in the background. The overall impression is pretty similar to sap or syrup. If you're pairing these two, you may not be able to tell the difference between them.