As the American craft-beer scene has exploded—with IPA leading the charge—hops have gone from just another obscure ingredient to the life of the party. These days, even your dentist probably knows the difference between Citra and Galaxy, and if you often enjoy an afternoon at the local beer garden, there’s a good chance that you too have been drawn in by the tropical, herbal, piney aroma of hops.
But IPA burnout is real, and as our nation’s long craft-beer fever cools, more and more beer enthusiasts (especially Zoomers) are turning to nonalcoholic beverages to give their livers a much-needed rest and to enjoy partying with a clearer state of mind. We plan to tackle the NA beer scene soon, but for now we’re here to talk about hop water.
If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone, but hop water is exactly what it sounds like. Mix carbonated water, aromatic hops, and (occasionally) added flavorings, and you have hop water—essentially LaCroix for beer fans. At its best, it’s crisp and refreshing, and it delivers a bit of what folks love about a good beer, without any of the alcohol-induced side effects.
So we gathered 31 hop waters (and teas) from 10 popular brands—including several notable craft breweries—and got really hydrated. After several brand-concealed tastings, side-by-side flavor comparisons, and some hoppy contemplation, we’re pretty sure we know which ones are worth seeking out.
