This past summer while basking in Northern Michigan, I needed Mother Nature to cure my horrendous hangover. I threw on some trunks, grabbed a towel and hit the beach to soak in Torch Lake before having to make my trek home. Looking for something carbonated but with zero sugar, a familiar face from one of my favorite breweries, Lagunitas Brewing Company, caught my attention. Upon further investigation, the beverage was Hoppy Refresher, “an IPA-inspired refreshment that’s zero-alcohol, zero-carbohydrate, and zero-calorie.” I grabbed two and headed off to the beach.
Toes gripping cold sand, I took one long sip and continued to slam the entire bottle. The wonderfully weird thing about this beverage is the mouthfeel. Hoppy Refresher has the body of a beer, is strikingly hop forward, and has all of the taste but none of the ABV. This beverage seems a little over carbonated and the hoppiness is a bit artificial tasting but all of that doesn’t take away from how awesomely unique this product is.
I am not participating in Dry January, but this would be a great hop substitute for those who are not wanting to drink 0.0 beers, which are sub-par in my opinion. This beautiful beverage provides a real refreshing hoppy feel that will leave you feeling good as hell this Dry January.
Disclaimer: Chaz purchased the Hoppy Refresher for this review.
3 Comments
Don O'Neill · December 31, 2020 at 5:14 pm
What a find. Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher. I’m 70 years old and just retired after 30 years in the wine business. I’ve worked for wineries and also owned a wine and beer bar/retail business. Lagunitas beers were always one of my favorite brews. I don’t drink sweet sodas but I like the bite of carbonation to slake a thirst. The Hoppy Refresher meets my requirements for the ice cold bite of a carbonated hopped up beverage minus the alcohol during or after physical endeavors like mountain biking, surfing, high sierra fly fishing, etc., etc. Keep up the good brewing. This is a winner.
Don O.
Lynn Starrs · October 21, 2021 at 2:45 pm
I love this. It is a great drink for those watching calories, alcohol, carbs, or all of them. It definitely has a beer0-reminiscent taste, but just a refreshing, adult flavor that is the perfect way to end a day when you might otherwise grab a beer. I like it best ice cold, like beer. Thank you Lagunitas.
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