Hop Water Reviews: 5 Top Brands, Benefits, and Taste Ratings

Want the refreshing taste and aroma of a hoppy beer without drinking alcohol? Hop water may be exactly what you’re looking for. It offers the familiar citrusy, piney flavor of hops in a crisp, sparkling drink, usually without the calories, sugar, or carbs found in beer.

Hop water is sparkling water infused with hops, the flowers used to flavor beer. Unlike traditional beer, it usually contains no malt or fermentation-derived alcohol. The result tastes more like a hop-flavored seltzer than a full-bodied IPA.

But not all hop waters taste alike. Some are bright and citrusy, others have a stronger bitter edge, and flavored versions add notes of watermelon, blood orange, or hibiscus. This guide compares five popular US brands, explains their nutritional benefits, and helps you choose one that matches your taste.

Key Takeaways

• Best overall flavor: Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Original earned 9.5/10 in a published Sporked taste test.
• Best for a more bitter taste: Sierra Nevada Hop Splash received 8.5/10 for its distinctive hop character.
• Best fruity choices: HOPWTR Blood Orange and More Life Watermelon offer refreshing fruit-and-hop combinations.
• Nutrition advantage: Many hop waters contain zero alcohol, calories, sugar, and carbs, but labels vary.
• Important difference: Hop water delivers hop aroma and carbonation without the malt flavor or fuller body of non-alcoholic beer.

Best Hop Water Reviews: 5 Brands Compared

If you’re trying hop water for the first time, start by deciding what matters most: bold hop aroma, noticeable bitterness, fruity flavor, or a lighter sparkling-water experience.

The ratings below come from Sporked’s July 2024 taste test, not independent testing conducted for this article. They provide a useful reference for comparing flavors, but taste preferences are personal and product formulas can change.

1. Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Original — Best Overall

Published taste rating: 9.5/10 (Sporked)

Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher is a strong starting point for anyone who enjoys the aroma of an IPA but prefers a lighter, easier-drinking beverage.

Its blend of Citra, Equinox, and Centennial hops creates bright notes of citrus, lime, tangerine, and a little pine. The flavor is noticeable without becoming harsh or overwhelmingly bitter.

According to Lagunitas, the drink also uses a small amount of brewer’s yeast during production to help develop hop aromas. The finished beverage is marketed as having 0.0% alcohol, zero calories, and zero carbs.

• Flavor: Bright citrus, fruity hops, and subtle pine.
• Bitterness: Mild and approachable.
• Best for: First-time hop water drinkers, IPA fans, and food pairings.
• Possible drawback: May taste too light if you prefer a strongly bitter IPA.

Verdict: An excellent all-around choice when you want clear hop flavor without aggressive bitterness. Its balanced profile also works well alongside grilled foods or spicy meals.

2. Sierra Nevada Hop Splash — Best for Bitter-Hop Fans

Published taste rating: 8.5/10 (Sporked)

Sierra Nevada Hop Splash uses Citra and Amarillo hops to create a crisp drink with citrus and stone-fruit aromas. It has a dry finish and no malt sweetness.

Sporked’s reviewer described it as more bitter and tonic-like than the other hop waters tested. Interestingly, Sierra Nevada lists the Original Hop Splash at 0 International Bitterness Units (IBU), a brewing measurement of bitterness.

That’s a useful distinction: a drink can taste sharp or bitter because of its aroma and flavor balance, even when its measured brewing bitterness is very low.

• Flavor: Citrus, subtle tropical fruit, and a dry finish.
• Bitterness: Noticeably sharp to some tasters, despite its 0 IBU listing.
• Best for: People who enjoy dry, hop-forward drinks and alcohol-free mixers.
• Possible drawback: Less appealing if you prefer sweet or juicy beverages.

Verdict: Worth considering if you enjoy the crisp side of hop flavor. It can also add a distinctive herbal edge to a simple citrus mocktail.

3. HOPWTR Blood Orange — Best Citrus-Flavored Option

Published taste rating: 8/10 (Sporked)

HOPWTR Blood Orange blends a bright blood-orange flavor with the brand’s hop mixture, which includes Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic, and Azacca.

The orange flavor adds a fruity twist without making the drink taste like a traditional sweet soda. It can be a good middle ground for people who find plain hop water too herbal.

Unlike simpler hop waters, HOPWTR also includes functional ingredients. Its current brand information describes L-theanine and reishi extract, although formulations and older retailer labels may differ.

• Flavor: Blood orange, citrus peel, and aromatic hops.
• Bitterness: Light to moderate.
• Best for: Fruit-flavored sparkling-water fans who still want noticeable hop character.
• Possible drawback: Contains additional functional ingredients that not everyone needs or wants.

Verdict: A refreshing choice for anyone who wants fruit and hops in one drink. Check the ingredient label rather than assuming every HOPWTR variety uses the same formula.

4. More Life Watermelon — Best for Summer

Published taste rating: 8.5/10 (Sporked)

More Life Watermelon, introduced by Almanac Beer Co., combines watermelon flavor with sparkling hop water. Its appeal is a lighter, fruit-forward character that still leaves room for the hops.

Sporked’s tasting review highlighted its juicy watermelon impression and lively carbonation, making it a good match for warm-weather gatherings.

The brand has marketed the drink as having zero alcohol, calories, sugar, and carbs. However, regional availability can vary, so check a nearby retailer before planning around it.

• Flavor: Watermelon with a light hop background.
• Bitterness: Generally less prominent than the fruit flavor.
• Best for: Cookouts, outdoor parties, and summer sipping.
• Possible drawback: Less suitable for people who want hops to dominate every sip.

Verdict: An appealing fruity alternative to ordinary sparkling water, especially if you enjoy watermelon flavor without added sugar.

5. Denver Beer Company Easy Living — Best for Flavor Variety

Easy Living is Denver Beer Company’s sparkling hop water lineup. These drinks lean toward light, refreshing seltzers rather than attempting to copy a full-bodied IPA.

The brand promotes zero alcohol, zero sugar, gluten-free formulations, and a range of flavors. Its Easy Living product information provides details about the lineup.

The main varieties offer different experiences:

• Original: A straightforward, lightly hoppy sparkling-water option.
• Tropical: A fruit-oriented choice for people who enjoy tropical flavor notes.
• Citrus: Lemon and lime flavors alongside hop aromas.
• Hibiscus: Floral flavor with a slightly tart finish.

Best for: People who enjoy sampling multiple flavors or building refreshing, alcohol-free mocktails.

Possible drawback: The lighter hop character may disappoint anyone expecting a bold IPA replacement.

Verdict: A useful lineup for variety seekers, especially if you prefer sparkling water with just a hint of hops.

Bonus: HOPWTR Iced Tea & Lemonade

HOPWTR Iced Tea & Lemonade takes a different approach. Inspired by the classic half-tea, half-lemonade drink, it blends tea flavors, lemonade brightness, and subtle hops.

It is a good alternative for people who prefer tea-based refreshment over strong beer-like flavors. The brand markets it as containing no calories, sugar, or carbs.

Some retailer labels have listed approximately 3.5 mg of caffeine per can, while current general HOPWTR information describes its drinks as caffeine-free. Because packaging and formulas can change, check the specific can if caffeine matters to you.

Verdict: Better for an iced-tea craving than a traditional IPA craving. It may also work as the base for a citrus-and-mint mocktail.

Hop Water Comparison: Ratings, Flavor, and Best Uses

Here’s a quick comparison of the main choices. The numerical ratings are from Sporked’s 2024 tasting; products not covered by that test are left unrated rather than assigned an unsupported score.

Brand	Taste Rating	Flavor Profile	Best For
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Original	9.5/10	Bright citrus, balanced hops	Overall balance and IPA-inspired aroma
Sierra Nevada Hop Splash	8.5/10	Dry citrus, sharp hop character	Dry and bitter-tasting drinks
HOPWTR Blood Orange	8/10	Blood orange and aromatic hops	Citrus-flavored refreshment
More Life Watermelon	8.5/10	Watermelon and light hops	Summer gatherings
Easy Living lineup	Not rated	Citrus, tropical, floral, or original	Variety and mocktails

Quick choice: Start with Lagunitas for balance, Sierra Nevada for a dry finish, HOPWTR for citrus, or More Life for watermelon. Easy Living makes sense when trying several flavors matters more than chasing one particular taste.

What Makes a Good Hop Water?

Four things shape the drinking experience: hop aroma, bitterness, carbonation, and balance. Knowing how they work together makes choosing a brand much easier.

1. Hop Aroma and Flavor

Hops can provide citrus, floral, pine, herbal, and tropical-fruit aromas. Different hop varieties create different combinations, even without added fruit.

A balanced hop water has a clear aroma but remains pleasant to sip. Stronger isn’t always better. If the flavor overwhelms your palate, you may prefer a lighter blend.

2. Bitterness

Traditional IPAs often taste bitter because of compounds extracted from hops during brewing. Hop water usually emphasizes aroma rather than intense bitterness.

Some varieties still taste sharper than others. If you’re new to hops, begin with a milder option before trying something with a pronounced dry finish.

3. Carbonation and Mouthfeel

Carbonation changes how a drink feels in your mouth. Stronger bubbles provide a crisp bite, while softer bubbles create a gentler drinking experience.

Pouring hop water into a glass can also make its aroma easier to notice. That’s helpful when comparing varieties with subtle differences.

4. Fruit and Hop Balance

Fruit flavors can make hop water more approachable, especially for people who dislike strong herbal notes. But they can also cover up the hops.

Choose fruit-forward varieties if you want something closer to flavored sparkling water. Pick an original, unflavored version if hop character is your main priority.

Hop Water Benefits: Is It a Healthier Alternative to Beer?

Hop water can be a useful replacement for alcoholic beer, particularly when it contains no alcohol, calories, or added sugar. Its clearest health advantage comes from what it leaves out, not from any proven special benefit of hops.

1. Helps You Replace Alcoholic Drinks

For many adults, drinking beer is partly about the routine: opening a can, enjoying the aroma, and sharing a drink with friends.

Hop water can preserve some of that experience without alcohol. Replacing alcoholic beverages with alcohol-free options may help reduce overall alcohol intake.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that drinking less alcohol reduces health risks associated with alcohol use.

2. Usually Contains Few or No Calories

Many popular hop waters are labeled as zero-calorie drinks. That’s useful if you’re trying to reduce calories from beer, soda, or sweetened beverages.

Still, not every hop-based beverage is identical. Some fruit-containing versions have calories, so don’t assume the entire category is calorie-free.

3. Often Has No Sugar or Carbs

Simple hop water recipes typically use carbonated water and hops, sometimes with natural flavorings. Many contain zero grams of sugar and carbohydrates.

This can make them attractive to people watching their carbohydrate intake. For comparison, non-alcoholic beers may contain carbs from malt, even when their alcohol content is low.

4. Offers an Enjoyable Way to Drink More Water

Because hop water is mainly water, it contributes to daily fluid intake like other sparkling waters.

Its main advantage is variety. If plain water feels boring, a hop-flavored option may make it easier to choose a sugar-free drink.

However, hop water is not automatically better for hydration than ordinary water and does not replace electrolytes after heavy sweating.

Nutrition Labels: What Should You Check?

Look beyond the front of the can. Claims can differ between brands, flavors, and production versions.

• Calories: Many contain zero, but check fruit-based versions.
• Sugar: Look for total sugar and added sugar separately.
• Carbohydrates: Check the actual grams per serving.
• Alcohol content: Look for a clearly stated 0.0% ABV if avoiding alcohol completely matters to you.
• Gluten: Choose products explicitly labeled gluten-free if you have celiac disease.
• Other ingredients: Review added botanicals, supplements, sweeteners, and caffeine.

One important distinction: US malt-beverage labeling rules allow the term “non-alcoholic” for certain products containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. That doesn’t mean every non-alcoholic beer contains exactly zero alcohol. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau explains the difference.

What About Adaptogens and Nootropics in Hop Water?

Some functional hop waters add ingredients marketed for relaxation, focus, or stress support. These are different from the hops that provide the drink’s flavor.

Two common categories are:

• Adaptogens: Herbs or mushrooms marketed to help the body respond to stress. Ashwagandha and reishi are examples.
• Nootropics: Ingredients promoted for cognitive performance or mental focus. L-theanine, an amino acid found naturally in tea, is one example.

Research into individual ingredients does not prove that a finished hop water improves mood, sleep, or concentration. Any effect depends on the ingredient, dose, and person, and product-specific evidence is limited.

Check the exact formula before drinking functional hop water regularly. Some HOPWTR retailer labels have included ashwagandha, while current brand descriptions mention reishi. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises avoiding ashwagandha during pregnancy and breastfeeding and notes possible medication interactions.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a health condition, a simple hop water without added functional herbs may be the easier choice. Review unfamiliar ingredients with your healthcare professional.

Hop Water vs. Non-Alcoholic Beer: Which Is Better?

Both offer ways to enjoy beer-inspired flavors while reducing or avoiding alcohol, but they deliver different experiences.

Feature	Hop Water	Non-Alcoholic Beer
Main flavor	Hops, citrus, pine, herbs	Malt, hops, and traditional beer notes
Body	Light and sparkling	Usually fuller and more beer-like
Calories	Often zero	Varies; commonly contains some
Carbohydrates	Often zero	May contain malt-derived carbs
Alcohol	Many varieties labeled 0.0%	May contain trace amounts, depending on product
Best for	Light refreshment and hop aroma	More authentic beer flavor

Choose hop water if you want something light, crisp, and usually calorie-free. Choose non-alcoholic beer if you miss the malty flavor, fuller texture, or familiar finish of beer.

Neither category is automatically better for everyone. Your goals, the actual nutrition label, and your taste preferences matter most.

How to Choose, Serve, and Enjoy Hop Water

You don’t need special equipment to enjoy hop water. A few simple choices can make the experience better.

1. Start with an original flavor: This helps you understand how hops taste before exploring fruit varieties.
2. Choose your bitterness level: Try a balanced option first, then move toward drier or sharper profiles if you enjoy them.
3. Chill before serving: Refrigerator-cold hop water usually tastes crisp and refreshing.
4. Use a glass for aroma: A pint or tulip glass lets you smell more of the hop character.
5. Experiment with mocktails: Add lemon, lime, mint, or a little fruit juice for variety.

For example, you can make a simple alcohol-free citrus spritz by combining chilled original hop water, a squeeze of lime, and fresh mint. Use a small amount of juice if you want more fruit flavor without covering the hops.

When shopping, compare the cost per fluid ounce rather than only the pack price. A variety pack can be useful for finding your favorite flavor before committing to a larger quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hop water taste exactly like an IPA?

No. It shares the citrusy, herbal, or piney aroma of hops, but usually lacks the malt sweetness, fuller body, and alcohol warmth of an IPA. Think of it as sparkling water with an IPA-inspired aroma.

Is hop water completely alcohol-free?

Many brands advertise 0.0% ABV. However, read the actual label, because “non-alcoholic” and “alcohol-free” are not always interchangeable terms, especially for beer products.

Is hop water good for weight management?

Zero-calorie hop water can help reduce calorie intake when it replaces higher-calorie drinks. It does not directly burn fat or cause weight loss by itself.

Can hop water contain gluten?

Simple water-and-hops recipes are typically free of gluten-containing grains. If you have celiac disease, look for explicit gluten-free labeling and check for additional ingredients.

Can I drink hop water after exercising?

Yes, plain hop water can contribute to fluid intake after routine activity. After prolonged, intense exercise or heavy sweating, you may also need to replace lost electrolytes through food or an appropriate rehydration drink.

Do hops in these drinks help you sleep?

There is not enough good evidence to claim ordinary hop water improves sleep. Some products add ingredients marketed for relaxation, but those claims should not be confused with proven sleep benefits.

Can hop water be used in mocktails?

Absolutely. Its light bitterness and carbonation pair well with lime, grapefruit, mint, rosemary, and other flavors. Choose a plain version for more control or a fruit-flavored one for convenience.

Where can I buy hop water in the United States?

Look in supermarkets, specialty beverage stores, brewery taprooms, and online beverage shops. Availability varies by location and brand. Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, and HOPWTR provide official shopping or store-locator information, while smaller brands may be easier to find regionally.

Final Verdict: Which Hop Water Should You Try First?

Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher Original is the most approachable starting point based on its balanced flavor and strong published tasting score. It offers clear hop aroma without the intense bitterness some drinkers associate with IPAs.

If you want something different, Sierra Nevada Hop Splash offers a dry alternative, HOPWTR Blood Orange brings citrus flavor, More Life Watermelon suits summer gatherings, and Easy Living provides several lighter options.

Start with one or two flavors instead of buying a large case immediately. Pay attention to aroma, bitterness, carbonation, and how the drink tastes with food.

The bottom line: Hop water can be a refreshing, low-calorie way to enjoy hop flavor without drinking beer. Choose the one that fits your taste, check its ingredients, and enjoy it as another option in your alcohol-free drink routine.