The 5 Best Hop Waters for Summertime Sipping, Tested and Reviewed
Updated: May 02, 2024
Whether as a beer alternative or enjoyed as a crisp, refreshing drink, the best hop water offers balanced herbal flavors with a fruity twist. We tested 14 flavors to find the best options for both newbies and hop heads alike.
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What else indicates imminent warm weather like cracking open a can of summer beer? Nothing beats a crisp, refreshing sip of ice-cold brews when the weather calls for a cooldown. As a craft beer fan currently cutting out her alcohol intake for health reasons (hello, fellow health-conscious Zillenials!), I thought my days of enjoying hoppy, herbal-y refreshments were over. That is, until I learned about hop water.
According to hop expert and member of the Ohio Hop Grower’s Guild Mallory Zachrich, hop water is—at its core—sparking water infused with hops and other plants for flavor and health benefits. It’s gluten-free, usually calorie-free and always non-alcoholic, making it much better for the gut and liver. Unlike beer (which hops are most commonly used for), hop water contains no malted barley or yeast. Not only is it an excellent substitute for beers and NA brews, but it’s also delicious in its own right.
In addition, there are a few bodily benefits that make hops worth sipping—aside from the tantalizing piney, herbal flavor, that is. Mallory notes that the oils in hops are considered a natural herb and adaptogen, and studies show they can help with insomnia, anxiety, stress and tension. “Some people enjoy the flavor of hops and the benefits it can provide without alcohol. Hop water can be a refreshing, flavorful way to experience hops,” she says.
As someone who has sipped on hop waters since at least 2021, I’ve tried a fair few options. Now that non-alcoholic beers and mocktails are having their moment, I decided to help out fellow brew heads, tasting and scoring 5 different brands of hop water to determine which are worth sipping and which should stay on the shelf. Over 14 flavors later, this seriously hydrated editor believes she cracked the hop water code.
Best Overall Hop Water
Athletic DayPack
Pros:
- Four different fruit flavors available
- Inexpensive at under $2 per can
- Uses hop oils for a distinct kiss of herbal flavor
- Minimalistic, clean look
- Smells like fruity soda
Cons:
- May not be hoppy enough for some
Topping out our list of the best hop water brands is a brew that’s hoppy, fruity and inexpensive. Athletic Brewing understood the assignment with their DayPack hop water. It combines hop oils and carbonated water for a distinctive kiss of herbal goodness in every sip, making it a worthy stand-in for NA beer, craft brews and sugary mocktails.
Four core flavors—including black cherry, blood orange, lemon lime and mango—offer ample selections for every sipper at the tailgate or beach. Upon cracking open a can of black cherry, a fragrant black cherry soda scent with a sharp herbal-ness at the forefront fills the senses. While the fruit flavors themselves are rather muted on the palate, they mix incredibly well with the pine-like taste of the hops, making this an excellent pick for both budding hop heads and craft beer drinkers alike.
Most Hydrating Hop Water
Short's Thirst Mutilator
Pros:
- Crisp, hydrating and refreshing
- Balanced blend of hops, citrus and a touch of sweetness
- Comes in both regular 12oz cans and tall 16oz cans
- Perfect for hot days at the beach or a festival
Cons:
- Only one flavor available (but it's a darn good one)
I was first introduced to Michigan native Shorts Brewing Company during a music festival, and since then they’ve remained one of my favorite local breweries. When they released their non-alcoholic Thirst Mutilator hop water, I knew I was in for something special. Despite only offering one flavor, a citrusy lemon-lime refresher, I’ve remained hooked on this hoppy sparkling water since my first sip. Don’t let the herbal, slightly medicinal scent fool you—it’s neither bitter nor biting. Rather, it’s one of my favorite hop water options thanks to a generous kick of hoppiness and prevalent sour undercurrent.
Available in both a regular 12-ounce can or an extra-large 16-ounce option that’s perfect for festivals, each beverage boasts a balanced blend of hops, citrus and a touch of sweetness. Mixed with a non alcoholic spirit, it offers enough edge to hold its own. Enjoyed ice cold, it’s crisp, hydrating and refreshing enough to warrant an ahh after each drink. Unlike other hop waters that mimic the beer flavor or turn it on its head, Thirst Mutilator does its own thing, making it a standout among all the other hop water brands.
Best Hop Water Flavors
HOP WTR
Pros:
- Offers a whopping 10 different flavors
- Great balance between herbal and fruit flavors
- Yellow tint, indicating plenty of hops
- Classic non-fruit flavor available for hop fanatics
Cons:
- Not as fruity as others
- On the pricey side
When it comes to an assortment of flavors, HOP WTR is one sip you don’t want to skip. HOP WTR boasts a whopping 10 different fruity blends, an impressive catalogue when most other brands have only three or four in total. A choice of flavorful juicy fruits like peach and blood orange makes this a clear winner in terms of sheer selection, whether you prefer sour lemon-lime or mellow mango. There’s even the addition of a classic non-fruit flavor for those looking for more of that herbal hoppiness found in non-alcoholic beer.
The balance between hoppy flavor and sweet, juicy fruits just works. While this one smells a bit fruitier than it tastes, we don’t see that as a bad thing. The yellow tint, comparable to a light beer, reveals plenty of hops in each sip—perfect for those looking to enjoy more of the pine-like flavor at the forefront rather than masking it. While it’s a bit pricier than others at around $2.50 per can, we find the splurge well worth it for occasions like beach days and tailgating.
Best for Hop Newbies
Lagunitas Hop Water
Pros:
- Very prominent, juicy fruit flavors
- Three different flavors, including a classic option
- Kiss of herbal flavor is perfect for hop newbies
- Refreshing alternative to sparkling flavored water
- Very inexpensive
Cons:
- Fewer detectable hops
Newbies to hops (or those who prefer a light kiss of bitterness rather than a mouthful) will find Lagunitas hop water oh so sippable. There’s enough hops that they’re easily detectable, but without the prominent herbal bite that some others boast. Rather, it’s akin to a La Croix with a little extra depth from the hops, making it more approachable than other brands for those just dipping their toes in the hop water game.
Three varieties—including a classic option sans fruit flavor—offer a few different flavor profiles. This is an excellent, satisfying substitute for a sugary canned mocktail or alcoholic seltzer during bachelorette parties or camping trips. Despite having zero calories, the fruit flavors of the blood orange and berry lemonade (my personal favorite) taste juicy rather than artificial. The unflavored option is also slightly herbal and delicious—not bitter or overly bold at all.
Best for Beer Drinkers
H2OPS
Pros:
- Prominent herbal, hoppy flavor
- Original and grapefruit flavors available
- Fragrant, beer-like scent
- Tinged yellow, indicating plenty of hops
- Good replacement for traditional beer or NA beers
Cons:
- Pricey
Those seeking a hop-forward option, look no further than H2OPS. Offering a more prominent hoppy flavor than the fruitier seltzers on this list, this is our favorite option when we’re looking for something akin to a craft brew. From the moment the can cracks open, a fragrant beer-like scent fills the senses and teases plenty of herbal-y flavor inside. For that reason, it’s our top pick for folks looking for a more beer-like approach, though it also mixes up well with recipes in our favorite mocktail recipe books.
There’s only two flavors available—original and grapefruit—and I wasn’t personally a fan of the grapefruit flavor, though I typically don’t prefer grapefruit anyway. That said, I found the flavor of the original version offers an immediate dose of herbal hoppiness that’s distinct and feels fancier than the typical seltzer. Poured out into a glass, the yellow tinge indicates tons of tasty hops, further cementing this as our top pick for craft beer enthusiasts.
What to Look for When Buying Hop Water
When looking for the best hop water brands, it’s important to first identify what you’re looking for in the beverage. Those seeking a low calorie alternative to beer that still has a strong hop flavor prefer a hop water with a more herbal, hop-forward flavor like the Athletic versions. Someone more interested in reaping the benefits of the flavorful oil without too much of the “pine-like” hop flavor should try a flavorful alternative like Lagunitas, which offers strong fruity aromas that mask some of that bitterness. Others might look for a refreshing, hydrating option for beach days and festivals, in which case Thirst Mutilator hits the right notes.
Why You Should Trust Us
Aside from being the Taste of Home shopping team’s resident food and beverage expert, I’m also on a health journey with my husband, with a primary focus on eliminating alcohol from our diet. Since 2020 I’ve been experimenting with non-alcoholic brews and beer alternatives, and over the years I’ve tried over 10 different brands of hop water. These include both commercially available, easy-to-access options along with bottles from bespoke breweries and small businesses.
For this piece, we also spoke to hops expert Mallory Zachrich, a member of the Ohio Hop Grower’s Guild. The Zachrich’s started growing hops in 2017 when they decided they wanted to be active in agricultural production on a small scale and raise their children being active in the agriculture industry. Mallory earned her bachelors degree from The Ohio State University in Agricultural Education with a minor in Production Agriculture and her Masters of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. Her passions in life revolve around agriculture, education and advocating for both.
How We Found the Best Hop Water Brands
Since I’m already familiar with hop waters, I began my research by sourcing the brands I already know and enjoy, taking care to exclude any I already know aren’t very good. Then, I researched the most popular hop water brands on the market, along with bespoke favorites from craft breweries. We compiled 14 flavors from five brands, in addition to all the supplemental and flavors and brands I’ve tried over the years.
After that was the fun part: Sipping and enjoying. We cracked open at least two flavors of each brand (where available), then evaluated each flavor individually. From there, we came up with an overall ranking for each brand. The top performers stood out for their unique flavors, variety, price and availability. No matter whether you’re a hop water newbie or a bona fide hop fanatic, we’re confident we found the best hop water brands for every style of sipper.
FAQ
What are hops?
According to hops expert and member of the Ohio Hop Grower’s Guild Mallory Zachrich, “Hops are a perennial plant with the female producing flowers, aka cones. These cones contain oils within them that provide the aroma, flavor and bodily benefits.”
Mallory notes that each hop variety has a different oil profile. Brewers familiar with hops choose their varieties for different flavors and aromas. According to Mallory, one of the most intriguing aspects of hops are their bines, which like to climb rotational toward the sun. Because of this, hop yards usually have a trellis of poles and cables so the bines can climb up the strings. “They are a beautiful, unique plant,” she says.
Does hop water get you buzzed?
No. Unlike beer which contains alcohol, hops themselves contain zero alcohol. Aside from feeling hydrated and any additional bodily benefits they provide, hop water drinkers won’t experience a “buzz” or other side effects associated with beer.
Is hop water healthy?
Mallory says studies show the oils in hops provide some bodily benefits. “They are considered a natural herb and adaptogen,” she says. “Hops can help with insomnia, anxiety, stress and tension.”
Even those skeptical of such claims can agree that they contain zero alcohol and gluten, and most also use natural flavors. Probably the biggest health plus for these bubbly, herbal drinks: they’re more hydrating than other non-alcoholic brews. By extension, they also contain far fewer calories (usually none at all), making them a healthy alternative to sugary mocktails.
Originally Published: May 02, 2024
