Hoppy Alternative Drinks
I love IPA beers mainly just for the incredible hop aroma. But one downside (sometimes) to IPAs is that they tend to be high in alcohol. Sometimes you just want some delicious hops!
This table relates my experiences exploring non-alcoholic hoppy drinks. I purchase the beverages (no sponsors!), pour them into a pint glass (to get the max aroma), and drink them (to probe their tastiness). Drinks are rated 1 - 5 on these highly scientific qualities:
- hoppyness - overall hop quality and quantity.
- aroma - does it smell wonderfully hoppy?
- body - does the beverage have mouth-feel and body?
- beeriness - does it taste like or stand in for a beer? This isn’t necessary for deliciousness, but sometimes you want a beer-like substance.
- deliciousness - just how delicious is it overall as a hoppy alternative beverage?
Hoppy Drink List
Sort by Rating:
Calm One HopTea,
Hoplark
2
2
0
4
This is probably the most delicious HopTea, the sweet smoothness of chamomile suits the flavors very well. Citra hops.
Really Hoppy One HopTea,
Hoplark
3
4
0
2
The flavors of this aren't very balanced, I find it overly hoppy but not delicious.
Green Tea One HopTea,
Hoplark
2
4
0
3
Pretty good balance of very light beverage and good hop aroma. Mosaic hops.
Mile-High-Biscus One HopTea,
Hoplark
2
4
0
3
Surprisingly delicious, I didn't expect to like the hibiscus, but it adds nicely to the aroma.
Hop Water,
Sockeye
2
2
0
4
Very simple hoppy sparkling water, light aroma, good taste, refreshing. Idaho grown hops.
Hop Splash,
Sierra Nevada
2
1
0
2
A tasty sparkling water, less citrus-y or sweetness, crisp and refreshing. The aroma is light, and the favor isn't totally balanced. Citra and Amarillo hops.
Hoppy Refresher,
Lagunitas
1
0
0
2
Very citrus-y more than hoppy, definitely refreshing and tasty as a sparkling water--but not really hop forward.
IPNA,
Lagunitas
2
1
2
3
Light, crisp, has good bitterness but weak on the aroma which brings down the feeling of hoppyness--however, much more tasty than an average non-alcoholic beer.
Juicy IPA,
Grüvi
3
4
3
3
Marketed as non-alcoholic craft brew, this goes for beeriness and does a good job. Interestingly, the taste and aroma in the first few minutes is GREAT, but then it seems to gradually get sweeter and less delicious as it warms.
Stout,
Grüvi
1
1
4
4
Really tasty rich stout.
Non-Alcoholic IPA,
Fremont
3
2
3
2
Pretty solid as a basic IPA substitute.
Run Wild IPA,
Athletic Brewing Co.
3
4
3
4
This is pretty delicious as an light IPA.
Free Wave Hazy IPA,
Athletic Brewing Co.
3
3
3
4
Refreshing, tasty light beer-like light IPA. Crushable.