Why Does Corona Smell Like Weed?

If you’ve ever opened a bottle of Corona and thought it smelled oddly like weed, you’re not alone. It’s a surprisingly common observation, and it turns out there’s real science behind it. While there’s no cannabis in Corona beer, the two plants—hops and cannabis—share a lot more in common than people realise.

The familiar "skunky" or herbaceous aroma in both beer and cannabis comes down to shared chemical compounds, brewing methods, and sometimes even how the product is stored. Let’s take a closer look at why Corona, in particular, might smell like your mate’s rolling papers.

Hops and Cannabis: Botanical Cousins

The main link between the smell of weed and beer is the hop plant, known scientifically as Humulus lupulus. This is the same plant family—Cannabaceae—that includes Cannabis sativa, the species responsible for marijuana.

Because hops and cannabis are botanical cousins, they produce some of the same aromatic compounds, including terpenes. Terpenes are the natural oils that give plants their distinctive smells. In cannabis, they’re responsible for aromas like citrus, pine, spice, and—yes—skunk.

The Role of Terpenes

Some of the main terpenes that hops and cannabis share include:

Myrcene – Earthy, musky, and herbal. Found in both hops and many cannabis strains.
Humulene – Woody and slightly spicy. Found in hops, cannabis, and cloves.
Pinene – As the name suggests, this one smells like pine needles.
Caryophyllene – Peppery, sharp, and common in both beer and weed.

When you smell a strong, slightly dank aroma in a bottle of Corona (or other lagers), it’s likely due to these terpenes. While not unique to cannabis, they’re powerful enough to trick your nose into thinking otherwise.

Why Corona Specifically?

Corona is a light lager, and it’s commonly packaged in clear glass bottles. Clear glass doesn’t protect the beer from light exposure, particularly ultraviolet (UV) light. When beer is exposed to sunlight, a chemical reaction occurs between the hops and UV rays, producing compounds that smell distinctly like skunky cannabis.

This process is called lightstruck or "skunking". It's not specific to Corona, but because of its clear bottle, the effect is more noticeable. Brown glass protects beer better, while green and clear bottles offer less UV protection.

So if your Corona smells like weed, it’s not because of what’s in the beer—it’s likely due to how the beer has reacted to light exposure during transport or storage.

Is It Safe to Drink?

Yes. A skunky smell doesn’t mean the beer is unsafe—it just means the aroma has changed. The taste may be affected slightly, but it won’t make you ill. Some people don’t mind the skunky aroma; others find it off-putting.

If it bothers you, try pouring your beer into a glass and letting it breathe for a few minutes, or keep it chilled and away from light before opening.

Do Other Beers Smell Like Weed Too?

Yes—especially hop-heavy beers like IPAs (India Pale Ales). These beers are brewed with high levels of aromatic hops, which can have a strong, herbal, and even cannabis-like smell.

However, with IPAs, the smell is often intentional and part of the flavour profile. With Corona, the cannabis-like smell is usually the result of light damage, not design.

Could Weed Ever Be Used in Beer?

Actually, yes. In some countries and US states where cannabis is legal, there are now THC- and CBD-infused beers. These don’t always contain alcohol, and they’re made using extracts from the cannabis plant instead of (or alongside) hops.

In the UK, cannabis-infused alcoholic products are still illegal if they contain THC, but CBD beers (non-psychoactive) have started appearing on the market.

So, Why Does Corona Smell Like Weed?

In short, it comes down to:

Shared plant compounds between hops and cannabis
The presence of terpenes, which create similar scents
Light exposure from clear bottles, which can produce a "skunky" smell
The way your nose interprets certain natural aromas as being “like weed”

It’s not your imagination—and it’s not cannabis in your beer. It’s chemistry.