Why Does Desperados Smell Like Weed?

If you've ever cracked open a bottle of Desperados and thought, “that smells a bit like weed”, you're not alone. Many people notice a surprisingly strong, herbal scent when opening this tequila-flavoured beer. While it doesn't contain cannabis, there's a scientific reason why it gives off that slightly skunky, plant-like aroma—and it’s all about the ingredients and the chemistry.

What Is Desperados?

Desperados is a lager-style beer brewed with tequila flavouring. Originally from France and now owned by Heineken, it’s known for its unique mix of sweet malt, citrus, and a touch of alcohol bite. It's marketed as a party beer—bold, bright, and a bit different from your average lager.

Despite the "tequila" label, it doesn't actually contain real tequila. Instead, it uses tequila flavourings added to the beer, giving it a distinct taste and smell.

Why Does It Smell Like Weed?

The smell of cannabis and the smell of certain beers—particularly Desperados—share some common aromatic compounds. These compounds are called terpenes.

Terpenes are found in a wide range of plants, including hops (used in beer) and cannabis. Both hops and cannabis belong to the same plant family, Cannabaceae, which helps explain why their aromas can be similar.

The scent of Desperados may remind you of weed because of these shared terpenes, especially:

• Myrcene – Earthy and musky, also found in mangoes and thyme

• Caryophyllene – Peppery and sharp, common in black pepper and cloves

• Linalool – Light, floral, slightly spicy (also found in lavender)

These terpenes are naturally present in hops, which are used to flavour beer, and are sometimes enhanced or mimicked in flavourings added after brewing.

In Desperados’ case, the tequila flavouring may also contain herbal and citrus notes that amplify the skunky, sharp smell, especially when mixed with the beer’s natural hops profile.

Is There Any Weed in Desperados?

No—Desperados does not contain any cannabis or cannabis-derived ingredients. The smell is purely a coincidence of overlapping plant chemistry. Still, the combination of hops, tequila flavouring, and fermentation byproducts can mimic the smell of cannabis for some people.

Why Do Some Beers Smell Skunky?

Many beers, especially those stored in clear or green glass bottles, can develop a "lightstruck" or skunky smell. This happens when ultraviolet light reacts with the hops in the beer, creating compounds that smell very similar to the chemical found in skunk spray—and cannabis.

Desperados comes in a clear bottle, which offers no UV protection. If exposed to light during transport or storage, the beer can develop more of that skunky, herbal aroma. This is another reason it might remind you of weed when you open it.

Is It Safe to Drink?

Absolutely. The smell might catch you off guard, but it doesn't mean the beer has gone bad. A slightly skunky aroma doesn’t make it unsafe—it just means some chemical changes have occurred, usually due to light exposure.

If the beer tastes fine and hasn’t gone flat, cloudy, or sour, it’s still good to drink.

Final Word

Desperados might smell like weed because of the terpenes shared between hops and cannabis, the tequila flavouring, and the fact it’s packaged in clear glass, making it more vulnerable to light-induced chemical changes. While there's no actual weed involved, the scent overlap is very real—and now you know why.