Exciting things are happening at One Club Sober. While we still love our non-alcoholic beers and wines (and will continue to review them), we’re branching out into lesser-known NA adult drinks. More specifically, hop seltzers and teas.
Never heard of them before? You’re not alone. These bitter, IPA-inspired beverages are a fairly new addition to the alcohol-free adult drink market. Independent brewery darling Lagunitas was one of the first companies to introduce a hop seltzer when it released Hoppy Refresher in 2019.
See what I think by checking out my Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher review.
What is Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher?
First things first, what exactly is Hoppy Refresher? According to the folks at Lagunitas, It’s a non-alcoholic seltzer/IPA-inspired refresher.
It’s made by infusing sparkling water with a hop blend, then using brewer’s yeast to turn the hop terpenes into tastier hop terpenes through a process Brewmaster Jeremy Marshall calls biotransformation. Marshall is quick to point out that the yeast doesn’t ferment, but rather helps to liberate the hop flavors.
In simpler terms, it’s a thirst-quenching drink reminiscent of an IPA that can be consumed any time of day or night.
Related: Hoplark Review: HopTea The Mile-High-Biscus One Review (0.0% ABV)
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher History
If there’s one thing to know about Lagunitas as a brewery, it’s that they don’t shy away from innovation–quite the opposite actually.
So it’s natural that they were one of the first breweries to start research and development on a dry-hopped, zero-calories, zero-carb, and zero-gluten sparkling beverage in 2018.
Inspired by their famous IPA, Hoppy Refresher became an employee favorite when it launched in Lagunitas’ TapRooms. Knowing they were onto something, Lagunitas started selling its hoppy brew at retail outlets starting in 2019.
More recently, Lagunitas has introduced two flavored versions of Hoppy Refresher–Berry Lemon and Blood Orange.
Where is Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Made?
Lagunitas brews out of its locations in Petaluma, California and Chicago, Illinois.
All of the bottles say they’re from the California location but unfortunately, it’s not possible to tell which facility made which product.
What are the Ingredients in Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher?
Lagunitas uses just a few ingredients when making its Hoppy Refresher. These include carbonated water, yeast, dried hops, and natural flavors.
The hop blend includes Citra, Equinox, and Centennial hops.
What Does Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Taste Like?
The “C” blend of hops (Citra, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook) gives Hoppy Refresher notes of citrus (orange and grapefruit), as well as tropical fruits (especially mango).
Is Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Sweet?
Hoppy Refresher contains zero added sugar or sweeteners and will not taste sweet to most people. I will say that Hoppy Refresher is sweeter than other hop seltzers I’ve tried, but that by no means makes it sweet.
How Many Calories Are in Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher?
There are zero calories, zero carbs, and zero sugar in Lagunitas’ Hoppy Refresher.
Is There Any Alcohol in Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher?
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher contains 0.0% ABV, making it a completely alcohol-free option.
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Review
Looks & Aroma
Hoppy Refresher is clear in color. It’s highly carbonated (think Champagne levels of carbonation) and the bubbles are quite small.
On the nose, I get notes of citrus (lemon and lime), bubblegum, and a touch of pine from the hop terpenes.
Taste
My first reaction to the taste was that it was very fruity. Specifically, I tasted mango and a bit of peach.
I saw one reviewer mention Welch’s gummy fruit snacks as part of his tasting notes (if you know, you know) and have to agree, although I didn’t think of that as I was sipping.
The mouthfeel was light and crisp, with just the right amount of carbonation.
Verdict – Is Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Worth It?
I remember first trying Hoppy Refresher back in 2020 when I first started to cut back on alcohol and remember liking it a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. Unfortunately, I can’t remember my tasting notes at the time, but I do remember being so happy to have found a supper hoppy non-alcoholic drink I could bring to park hangouts.
Flash forward to today, I wasn’t as in love with Hoppy Refresher as I was three years ago. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a tasty, zero-guilt drink that I would happily buy again, but having tried other hop seltzers, I found this one too sweet for my liking.
Again, I don’t eat a lot of sugar, so I’m sure most people won’t find Hoppy Refresher as sweet as I did. But given the choice between this one and a drier option, I’m going with the drier one.
Where to Buy Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher?
Hoppy Refresher is available in the United States from Proof No More. You can purchase singles, 4-packs, 6-packs, 12-packs, or 24-packs.
Other Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher FAQs
Is Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Gluten-Free?
Containing only carbonated water, yeast, dried hops, and natural flavors, Hoppy Refresher is 100% gluten-free.
Related: Ultimate Guide To Gluten-Free Non-Alcoholic Beer
Is Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Vegan?
Hoppy Refresher contains no animal products. Therefore, it’s a great drink option for vegans.
Related: Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Vegan?
Is Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Fermented?
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher is not fermented.
Other Non-Alcoholic Drink Reviews:
A fruity, refreshing hop seltzer with zero calories, zero gluten and zero alcohol.