August 15, 2025

430: Float House Explores the Intersection of Beer Culture, Beer Flavor, and Hemp-Derived THC

1 hour 11 minutes

Hemp-derived THC products, including beverages, have exploded on the market in recent years as producers take advantage of a federal legal loophole that leaves the products legal—or at least not-illegal—in many states. Much of this nascent beverage market is focused on seltzer-style minimalism or sweet, fruit-forward drinks, but Connecticut’s Float House is making the case for beer aroma and flavor as the category develops.

In this episode, cofounders Gordon Whelpley and Jared Emerling—alumni of Connecticut and New York breweries that include Two Roads, Sixpoint, Twelve Percent Beer Project, and Stony Creek—discuss their approach to making hop-driven THC beverages that drink like nonalcoholic beers. Along the way, they touch on:

launching a THC beverage brand in an uncertain environment

the current regulatory framework for producing and selling hemp-derived beverages

creatively designing beer-focused beverages in a space with infinite possibility

building balanced flavor and mouthfeel in hopp-forward NA brews

creating body using novel hop products

the difference between nonconverted and converted hemp-derived THC

how CBD modulates the body’s uptake of THC

the benefits of beverage-sipping as a slow ingestion mode for THC

And more.

This episode is brought to you by:

G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For years G&D Chillers has chilled the beers you love, partnering with 3,000+ breweries across North America and beyond. With our 24/7 service and support, your brewery will never stop. Remote monitor your chiller for simple and fast access to all the information you need, and gain peace of mind your operation is running smoothly.

Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Berkeley Yeast bioengineers ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side.

Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Custom blend development is available through our innovative R&D lab. Our bulk division supplies a wide range of beverage segments, making it the one-stop shop for flavoring beer and beyond. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer.

Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Celebrating 16 years of delivering compelling new hop varieties along with classics that thrive in Oregon’s terroir, Indie is the original source for Strata, Luminosa, Lórien, Meridian, and their newest variety Audacia. Release your creativity with the magic of pure, uncut Oregon hops from Indie. Indie Hops — Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful.

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Brewery Workshop (https://breweryworkshop.com) If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17th in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over four days, we engage in panel discussions, technical brewery tours, networking, and small working group sessions that help you better understand and prepare for the challenges of brewery operation. Tickets are on sale now.

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