In the summer of 2023, I decided to take a break from drinking alcohol and double down on my health as I prepared for a Hyrox race in Chicago.
This has been a pretty smooth transition as I was not drinking alcohol all that often before, but I was definitely worried about the social aspect of being booze free.
One of the hacks I discovered in my booze free journey is to always have alcohol alternatives available for social situations. This led me down the path of trying dozens of non alcoholic beers and other alternatives like sparkling hop water.
One of the best options I have found is the brand HOP WTR, which is a delicious sparkling hop water that has zero calories. Think of it like a hybrid between a non alcoholic beer and a crisp sparkling water.
In this article I will give a full review of HOP WTR and how I think it stacks up against some of the sparkling hop water competition.
HOP WTR
HOP WTR is a sparkling hop water that has zero alcohol/calories and is an excellent drink option for those looking to cut back on alcohol.
It tastes like a nice blend between a sparkling water and a craft IPA beer (though closer to water than beer).
HOP WTR is made of extremely simple ingredients and adds in adaptogens/nootropics which can help you relax.
HOP WTR is the best tasting option I have found within the hop water niche along with Athletic Brewing’s Daypack.
Pros:Cons:
What is the Hop Water Category?
Hop water is a non-alcoholic beverage made by infusing carbonated water with hops. Hops are the flower cones of the hop plant, which are used to flavor and preserve beer. In hop water, the hops are added after the fermentation process, so there is no alcohol content.
Hop water has a light, crisp flavor with hints of bitterness and sweetness. The flavor profile can vary depending on the type of hops used. Some common hop varieties used in hop water include Cascade, Centennial, and Citra.
Hop water is a good source of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, including: Vitamin B6, Potassium, Magnesium, and Zinc.
The compounds in Hop Water have been shown to have a variety of health benefits, including: Reducing inflammation, protecting against heart disease, boosting the immune system, and improving cognitive function.
Hop water is also low in calories, with most brands containing around 0 calories per serving. This makes it a good option for people who are looking for a refreshing drink without the calories, sugar, or booze.
Hop water is a tasty and refreshing beverage that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a good choice for people who are looking for a healthy and alcohol-free alternative to beer.
What is HOP WTR?
HOP WTR is a beverage brand that launched out of Southern California in 2020 and is a producer of sparkling hop water that is meant to be a healthy alternative to beer.
The brand story is rooted in the active lifestyles of founders Jordan Bass & Nick Taranto. Growing tired of the health downsides of booze, the duo wanted to find a healthy way to enjoy the taste of hops after their outdoor adventures.
HOP WTR was launched in the non alcoholic beverage category, serving the same market as NA Beer. One thing that sets HOP WTR apart is the adaptogens and nootropics found in each can.
What Does HOP WTR Taste Like?
HOP WTR tastes like a mix between your favorite seltzer water and a craft IPA.
If you enjoy the taste of hops and are likely to order an IPA at the bar, it makes sense that you will love HOP WTR.
HOP WTR offers 7 different flavors, each offering a unique flavor of hops. The flavors are:
- HOP WTR Classic
- Peach
- Blood Orange
- Lime
- Mango
- Ginger Limeade
- Ruby Red Grapefruit
Each of the flavors are packed with Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic and Azacca hops along with natural flavors.
What are the Ingredients in HOP WTR?
HOP WTR has zero calories, zero sugar, and zero carbs.
Each can will contain: Carbonated Water, Vitamin C, Hops, Natural Flavors, L-Theanine, and Ashwagandha.
One of the added benefits of HOP WTR is that each can has 120% of daily Vitamin C requirements.
The ingredients are super simple and it is hard to beat the taste of hops in this low carb, gluten free beverage.
What are Adaptogens and Nootropics and why are they in in HOP WTR?
Each can of HOP WTR contains adaptogens and nootropics, which are mood boosting ingredients that can be beneficial for improving overall health and well-being.
Each flavor of HOP WTR include Ashwagandha, which is an adaptogen.
Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body adapt to stress by regulating the body’s response to stress hormones, such as cortisol. Adaptogens can help to improve physical and mental performance, reduce fatigue, and boost the immune system.
HOP WTR also includes L-theanine which is a nootropic.
Nootropics are substances that improve cognitive function. They can help to improve memory, focus, concentration, and learning. Nootropics are often referred to as “smart drugs” or “cognitive enhancers.” Some common nootropics include caffeine and L-theanine.
Kevin’s Review of HOP WTR
I first tried HOP WTR in the early summer of 2023 when I noticed a can of Blood Orange at my local grocery store. I had been interested in the idea of hop waters, so I bought a few cans on a whim when I read about the added benefits and mood boosting ingredients in HOP WTR.
Here is my review of HOP WTR:
Taste & Initial Thoughts:
Upon opening the can of HOP WTR Blood Orange, the first thing I noticed was the strong smell of citrus flavors, almost like fresh oranges.
After my first sip, I was surprised at how similar it was to a traditional citrus flavored sparkling water. Immediately after this, I was hit with a slight punch of hops.
It truly tastes like someone mixed a nice sparkling water with the hops from an IPA. Crisp and refreshing.
Compared to Other Hop Waters:
Having tasted other Hop Waters on the market, here are some notes comparing HOP WTR to the field:
- HOP WTR vs Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher: HOP WTR has a less bold taste of hops in comparison to Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher. HOP WTR is closer to a sparkling water with a touch of hops compared to the super bold Hoppy Refresher.
- HOP WTR vs. Athletic Brewing Daypack: HOP WTR is extremely similar to Athletic Brewing daypack. Both options are an even mix of sparkling water with a side of hops. HOP WTR offers more flavors than Athletic Brewing, but both are fun options to try.
Flavors Tried:
I’ve tried all of the HOP WTR flavors, but I am basing this review off of the Blood Orange.
I do prefer the flavored HOP WTR cans (Lime, Mango, Blood Orange, etc) over the HOP WTR Classic. There’s just something about the added citrusy and fruit flavor that I prefer.
My last callout here is the Blood Orange is my favorite flavor of HOP WTR. If you’re debating which to try and you like the taste of citrus, I definitely recommend the Blood Orange or the Lime flavor.
Price Paid:
I bought the HOP WTR variety pack off of Amazon for $35.99.
The variety pack includes 12 cans across 4 flavors (Blood Orange, Lime, Peach, Mango).
There was a $5 coupon being run by HOP WTR at the time of purchase, so I got it for $30.99 delivered via Amazon Prime.
Positives:
- Crisp & Refreshing : Tastes delicious and is absolutely perfect for the summertime or any outdoor activity
- Zero Calories and Zero Sugar: Feels like a treat while drinking and is an excellent non alcoholic option that is zero calories, zero sugar, zero carbs, and gluten free.
- Adaptogens and nootropics: Adds an interesting element that you cannot find in NA beer. Helps reduce stress and add calm/clarity to your day.
- Flavor Varieties: With 6 different flavor options on top of HOP WTR Classic, there is enough variety to create a solid rotation.
Negatives:
- Closer to Sparkling Water Than Beer: HOP WTR definitely is closer to a sparkling water than a Beer, the hops are a slight undertone. This is something to keep in mind when comparing HOP WTR to NA beer.
Overall Thoughts:
In summary – HOP WTR is an excellent option for anyone that is looking to drop booze and live a more simple and healthy life.
I would describe HOP WTR as a sparkling water with a twist. The twist being a slight addition of hops that is not super overpowering.
I will definitely be adding HOP WTR to my rotation of delicious drinks I enjoy on the weekend, but it will not completely replace NA Beer. I would consider hop waters to be a slightly different category in comparison to NA Beers and closer to a sparkling water.
If you like the taste of a crisp IPA, HOP WTR is an excellent NA alternative and I would recommend purchasing the Blood Orange over the HOP WTR Classic.
Where Can You Buy HOP WTR?
HOP WTR is available on Amazon with Prime Shipping.
Amazon is currently offering a variety pack along with all of the major flavors: HOP WTR Classic, Mango, Lime, Blood Orange, Ginger Limeade, and Ruby Red Grapefruit.
While I find it easiest to order on Amazon, I have also seen HOP WTR and similar items at specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods.
Summary: Is HOP WTR Worth It?
If you are looking to try different types of NA Beers or other non alcoholic drinks, I would highly recommend trying HOP WTR.
HOP WTR is a unique blend between a sparkling water and an IPA. I had never tasted anything quite like it before and I really enjoy the crisp taste of hops, bonus points since it is zero calories.
While I wouldn’t completely replace NA beer with HOP WTR (or any other hop water brand for that matter), it is a healthy option that will definitely be part of my rotation
The adaptogens and nootropics in HOP WTR are an added benefit and unique to this blend of sparkling hop water.
HOP WTR is an amazing booze alternative and is a super fun drink option for the summertime.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where Can I Buy HOP WTR?
HOP WTR is available on Amazon and ships with Amazon Prime.
You can also find HOP WTR at specialty grocery stores such as Whole Foods.
What is the Difference Between HOP WTR and NA Beer?
Hop water has a light, crisp flavor with hints of bitterness and sweetness. NA Beer, on the other hand, has a flavor that is similar to regular beer, but it may be slightly less flavorful.
Hop water is a non-alcoholic beverage made by infusing carbonated water with hops. Hops are the flower cones of the hop plant, which are used to flavor and preserve beer. In hop water, the hops are added after the fermentation process, so there is no alcohol content.
Non-alcoholic beer is made by using a variety of techniques to remove the alcohol from beer. These techniques can include heat treatment, reverse osmosis, and distillation. Non-alcoholic beer typically contains some alcohol, but the amount is usually less than 0.5% ABV.
Does HOP WTR Have Alcohol?
HOP WTR is a 0.0 drink, meaning there is no alcohol in it whatsoever.
If I like HOP WTR, what are some other options?
I can recommend the Athletic Brewing Daypack as the next best option to HOP WTR.
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher is also an excellent choice, but this is very heavy on the hops.
What Other Non Alcoholic Drinks are on the Market?
- Sparkling water is a refreshing and thirst-quenching beverage that is available in a variety of flavors, including lemon, lime, and grapefruit. It is a good choice for people who are looking for a low-calorie and sugar-free option.
- Mocktails are non-alcoholic versions of cocktails, and they can be made with a variety of ingredients, including fruit juices, sparkling water, and syrups. They are a good choice for people who are looking for a refreshing and flavorful beverage without the alcohol.
- Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It is a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that can help improve gut health.