Are you the type of person to try new things? Or are you a creature of habit and stick to what’s comfortable? I’m someone that falls under the first category. During Amazon’s Prime Day, I stumbled on this new drink alternative called HOP WTR while scrolling endlessly for deals. Although I’m not a fan of beer, the design, and branding were right up my alley. Bold bright colors with clean modern lines. And to top it off, it advertised all the good-for-you ingredients we like to see on Social Unbuzz. But does it taste as good as it looks? Check out our review and sip rating for HOP WTR Sparkling Blood Orange! TLDR? Skip to the rating.
About HOP WTR (Summer State)
Similar to the CleanCo founder story we did earlier this year, this non-alcoholic drink brand was also started by someone tired of the side effects of alcohol. The difference was while CleanCo took on spirits, HOP WTR decided to offer alternatives for beer.
Like many outdoorsy dads in their 30s, we used to kick back with beer to celebrate a bouldering session in Joshua Tree or surfing Venice Beach waves. We loved the ritual. But after a while, we got burned out on the full-belly, foggy-head feeling that kicked in after a few rounds of IPA’s and annoyingly lingered the next day.
We came to an agreement: we’d continue to smash adventures together if we could bounce back from the afterparty. So, we started dreaming up an idea for a booze-free brew: the healthy way to hops.
Hopwtr.com
Now it wasn’t clearly explained on their site how HOP WTR and Summer State are related, but we assumed HOP WTR is one of many upcoming product lines under the Summer State umbrella.
Dealcoholization process
Although HOP WTR markets itself as an alternative to beer, they aren’t categorized as a near beer. Their product was never a beer to begin with. Unlike traditional Non Alcoholic beers, HOP WTR was never in an alcoholic state. Therefore, this Sparkling HOP WTR is better categorized as a soft drink. Confusing right? At the end of the day, it’s not really important what category a non-alcoholic drink falls under (that leads to over-regulation), but more importantly, if we enjoy the drink. So let’s dive in.
Sparkling HOP WTR Blood Orange First impressions
From the package and product description, I expected this beverage to have a similar taste profile to light beer. Usually, with any beer, you get the hoppy smell. However, with the Blood Orange Sparkling Hot Water, I was surprised at the lack of a hoppy smell, or any smell for that matter. Poured into a glass, it had a similar foaming behavior to a light beer, however, the foamy bubbles quickly dissipated after a few seconds. You are left with large sparkling water bubbles. We also expected the hue of the drink to be on the deep orange side given the name, however, we were met with light yellow. I do appreciate that they didn’t try to match the color expectation with added and unnecessary food dyes.
What does Sparkling HOP WTR Blood Orange Taste Like?
Bright, Citrusy, Hopp. Proudly hopped – We tap the full power of hops, their crisp, bold taste, and claiming benefits, and unapologetically pull them out from under the shadow of alcohol (not sorry beer.)
A blend of hops (for a refreshing crisp, citrusy, piney flavor.) Ashwagandha (to destress and unwind), L-Theanine (for mood and cognitive performance.)
Hopwtr.com
HOP WTR Sparkling Hop Water Blood Orange Rating and Review
The flavor profile of HOP WTR was very similar to sparkling water, with a splash of hop. I understand the name of the product, but I expected more of a non alcoholic beer experience, rather than flavored sparkling water. The hop flavor is very, very subtle. If you don’t pay attention, you might not even notice the hoppy flavor. I would compare it to cucumber water, where the taste is fleeting. Overall, I would describe HOP WTR as an outdoorsy sparkling water, instead of a light beer.
HOP WTR also promotes a calming after-effect from the ingredients they add. I personally didn’t experience any feelings after having a can. A few minutes after I had the drink I did feel a slight tingling sensation on the lips – almost a dry bitter tingle like after you eat a grapefruit.
Unlike many other supplements and medications, ashwagandha’s benefits are not immediate. It can take days to weeks before you begin to notice its effects.
Healthline.com
It’s worth noting that HOP WTR does have 1364 Reviews for their products on their website.
I was pleasantly surprised at just how good this stuff is and how close it tastes to a light beer, which is what I drink if I drink beer. At least the mango and blood orange flavors do in my opinion. It’s a great non-alcoholic alternative. And they are a satisfying plain water alternative, too!
Lisa, HopWtr.com, 14/02/23
With that said, HOP WTR Blood Orange gets 2 Sips from us. It’s OK and I would have it again, however, it’s not the type of nonalcoholic beer I would run out to get.
HOP WTR Sparkling Hop Water Blood Orange Details
Nutritional Breakdown: 0 Calories, Total Fat 0g, Sodium 0g, Total Carbohydrate 0g, Protein 0g, Vitamin C 108g 120%,
Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid for freshness), Hops and Natural Flavors, L-Theanine, Ashwagandha
If you’re just as confused about some of these ingredients – so were we. Additional details on L-Theanine and Ashwagandha are provided on their website below:
- Adaptogens are herbs and minerals that help manage stress and cortisol levels. We craft HOP WTR with ashwagandha to support your ability to destress and unwind. (Examples Include: Reishi Mushrooms, Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Turmeric)
- Nootropics are supplements that boost your brain’s function by targeting specific neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. This exotic term derives from the Greek word “noos” (mind) and “tropein,” which means “towards.” We use a 50mg dose of mood-boosting L-Theanine that is shown to improve memory, decision-making, creativity and overall cognitive performance. (Examples include: L-theanine, Rhodiola Rosea, Caffeine, Omega 3 fatty Acids.)
- Nootropics are not all natural. HOP WTR uses plant-based ingredients whenever possible, like all of our hops and adaptogens. In order to create a healthy beverage that also delivers a real feeling, we found that combining natural and synthetic ingredients produced optimal effects. All HOP WTR ingredients are of the purest potency and highest quality we could find.
Serve: Serve Chilled
Price / Can: $2.92 / Can 12 can minimum $35.00
Where to buy Sparkling HOP WTR Blood Orange
You can definitely order your HOP WTR from their website – and I recommend doing that if you live on the West Coast. The code SAMPLE gives you a B2G1 Free. This is probably the best if you’re looking to try a couple of flavors at a party.
Alternatively, you can also purchase HOP WTR from Amazon (where we discovered the brand.)