I really love hop water because it’s packed with hop flavors that satisfy my beer cravings without the extra carbs.
It’s made from simple ingredients like carbonated water and hops, and it’s free from alcohol, calories, sugar, gluten, and caffeine.
After trying different hop water brands and learning more about what’s inside and its benefits, I’ve started replacing my regular sparkling water with hop water.
What Is Hop Water?
Hop water is a non-alcoholic beverage made by combining carbonated water with a blend of hops.
Some common hop varieties used include Citra, Amarillo, and Mosaic. Other common ingredients include yeast (used to bring out the hop flavors) and natural flavors.
Some brands, like HOP WTR, include vitamins and adaptogens like vitamin C, Ashwagandha, and L-Theanine to give their hop waters an extra boost of nutrition.
Because of their simple ingredient lists, hop water contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of carbs, and 0g of fat. They’re also caffeine-free, gluten-free, and alcohol-free.
What Does Hop Water Taste Like?
Since every brand uses its own hop blend and natural flavors to create different tasting notes, asking what hop water tastes like is like asking what beer tastes like.
For instance, I found that Sierra Nevada’s Hop Splash carries a slight bitterness and dryness, while Lagunitas’ Hoppy Refresher leans towards fruity and almost sweet notes.
Certain brands of hop water also mimic beer flavors, which is something I really love about hop water. That said, I don’t think you willl mix up hop water with beer. Hop water feels fizzy and light, and it’s fizzier than beer.
For instance, Sierra Nevada’s Hop Splash and Hoplark’s Sparkling Citra Water have similar flavor profiles to IPAs, with citrusy, bitter, and slightly dry profiles.
Others, like HOP WTR and Lagunitas’ Hoppy Refresher, lean more toward the fruity side and taste less like beer in our opinion.
Can Hop Water Get You Drunk?
You won’t get drunk from hop water, and none of the hop waters I’ve encountered contain any alcohol.
However, if you try hop water infused with adaptogens and nootropics, such as Ashwagandha and L-Theanine, you might experience an enhanced feeling of calm and well-being from these natural ingredients.
Side Effects of Hop Water
Lastly, one of the things that I love about hop water is that in general, there are very few, if any, side effects associated with drinking hop water.
Perhaps the only consideration is that hops may lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness, although personally I’ve not experienced this.
For most people, these effects are minor, however, they can be more pronounced if you’re taking sedatives.
Other Hop Water FAQs
Can Children Drink Hop Water?
Given that hop water contains no alcohol and no caffeine, there’s no reason why children can’t drink them.
However, it’s pretty unlikely that most kids would like or even appreciate the complex, bitter flavors in these beverages.
It’s also worth noting that people under the legal drinking age (21 in the US, 18 in other countries) may not be able to buy hop water from brands that also make alcoholic beverages (e.g. Sierra Nevada or Lagunitas).
Again, there’s no alcohol in hop water, but some states may classify and regulate these drinks as alcoholic beverages.
Related: Can You Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer Under 21? (Sorted By U.S States)
Is Hop Water Safe During Pregnancy?
It’s best to chat with your healthcare provider before stocking up on hop water when you’re pregnant. According to The University of Texas at El Paso, hops may induce uterine contractions.
Furthermore, hops contain phytoestrogens (aka compounds that contribute to estrogen activity) so some medical professionals advise avoiding them while pregnant.
At this point, studies on the effect of hops on pregnancy aren’t conclusive, so it’s best to exercise caution and talk to your doctor about your individual case.