My go-to drinks have a few things in common–they’re alcohol-free (duh), sugar-free, calorie-free, and caffeine-free. As you can imagine, that pretty much limits my options to herbal tea, water, and seltzer. Most of the time I embrace the bland, but other times I crave something a bit different, you know?
Cue Hoplark HopTea The Calm One. This tea-based, hop-infused drink meets all of my requirements, while also adding some much-needed variety to my drink lineup.
Check out my full Hoplark HopTea The Calm One review for everything you need to know about this delightful drink.
What is Hoplark HopTea?
Hoplark’s HopTeas are a category all their own–not beer, not seltzer, not a cocktail. Rather, they’re tea-based non-alcoholic drinks brewed like beer. In other words, they’re not your grandmother’s sweet tea.
Containing only simple ingredients like tea, carbonated water, and hops, they’re free of calories, sugar, and gluten.
Some varieties, like The Calm One and The Mile-High-Biscus One (read my review here), are also caffeine-free, making them a delicious, any-time-of-the-day alcohol-free adult refreshment.
If you’re looking for a Hoplark tea with caffeine, then check out my review of The Really Hoppy One or my review of The Green Tea One.
The history behind Hoplark HopTea
As is the case with most great inventions, HopTeas came out of necessity.
In 2018, Dean Eberhardt was hanging out with his friend Andrew Markley at a bar during a one-month alcohol break. While he appreciated his friend’s company, he found himself missing the camaraderie that comes from chatting over a drink.
Wanting to create an alcohol-free option for the sober and sober-curious, the pair decided to create a beer-inspired tea. Combining tea, hops, and carbonated water, the mixture would be brewed like a beer, minus the sugar and the “natural” flavorings. They called it HopTea.
Eberhardt and Markley soon began selling their innovative drinks under the Hoplark name at local farmers’ markets. It wasn’t long before they started gaining popularity.
In fact, their products won the 2018 BevNet New Beverage Showdown and the 2019 Best New Beverage Award from the Natural Foods Expo West.
Not long after, Hoplark opened a Colorado brewery and taproom. With the extra space and equipment, the company was able to increase its expand its product line to include hop seltzers and hop brews.
Hoplark HopTea The Calm One ingredients
All Hoplark HopTeas contain a mixture of carbonated water, hops, and either tea or herbs.
The Calm One is made using organic camomile flowers and Citra hops. It is naturally caffeine-free, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Hoplark HopTea The Calm One nutrition & calories
The Calm One contains zero calories, zero carbs, zero sugar, and zero sugar. Yep, you read that correctly. This delicious, hop-filled beverage has absolutely nothing yucky in it.
So, if you’re watching your calorie or sugar intake, then I wholeheartedly recommend trying The Calm One.
Related: 14 Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Diabetics You’ve Never Heard Of
Hoplark HopTea The Calm One Review
Looks & Aroma
The Calm One pours a clear, light yellow color, similar to what you’d expect from camomile tea. There’s a medium amount of carbonation, but no head to speak of.
On the nose, I instantly liked the hoppy aroma notes of The Calm One. The acidic Citra hops definitely dominate, creating a fruity and floral bouquet.
Taste
On the palate, I could taste a unique but pleasant mix of bitter citrus notes and floral flavors created by the hops. There is a nice tartness to each sip.
Other gentler flavors like apple and cinnamon come through next, followed by a smooth finish. If you love the taste of hops like I do, you’ll enjoy the lovely hoppy bite.
Verdict–Is Hoplark HopTea The Calm One worth it?
If I’m being honest, my taste buds were a little stumped when it came to The Calm One.
On one hand, there are strong, bitter hop flavors, but on the other, there are gentle notes of apple. While I wouldn’t say these flavors clash, the combination definitely kept me on my toes.
Confusion aside, I found The Calm One to be a refreshing change of pace from my usual libations. Plus, the fact that it’s calorie-, sugar-, and caffeine-free makes it an automatic winner in my book.
Where to buy Hoplark HopTea The Calm One?
United States-based customers can purchase The Calm One from Proof No More. They sell individual 16-oz cans, 4-packs, 6-packs, 12-packs, and 24-packs.
Other Hoplark HopTea The Calm One FAQs
Does Hoplark Hoptea The Calm One taste like beer?
In my opinion, The Calm One doesn’t taste like beer at all. Sure, the Citra hops add some beer-ish bitterness, but aside from that, this mostly tastes like a cold, carbonated, grassy camomile tea.
Does Hoplark Hoptea The Calm One have any alcohol?
The Calm One contains absolutely zero alcohol. Zilch. Nada. However you want to say it, the alcohol by volume is 0.0%. This makes it a perfect choice for pregnant women or those avoiding alcohol for religious reasons.
Related: 10 Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Pregnancy (Beer, Wine, & Cocktails)
How much caffeine is in Hoplark HopTea The Calm One?
As the name suggests, The Calm One contains zero milligrams of caffeine.
I’m pretty sensitive to caffeine but love tea, so finding an herbal replacement is the peak of excitement for me. Now, I can enjoy my drink without having to worry about insomnia come bedtime.
Is Hoplark Hoptea The Calm One gluten-free?
Finding delicious non-alcoholic drinks is hard enough, but to find tasty ones that are also gluten-free on top of that? Almost impossible.
Thankfully, Hoplark’s entire line of HopTeas, including The Calm One, is gluten-free.
Is Hoplark HopTea The Calm One vegan?
If you’re following a plant-based diet, then we have good news for you. All of Hoplark’s HopTeas, including The Calm One, are vegan. More specifically, that means no animal or animal byproducts are used in the production process.
Related: Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Vegan?
Is Hoplark HopTea fermented?
None of Hoplark’s products are fermented, including The Calm One.
Other Non-Alcoholic Drink Reviews:
All is calm with The Calm One. A drink anytime camomile-based hop tea to bring on your next hike or enjoy as a nightcap.