Hidden Path Brewing, based in Beverly, Massachusetts, operates as a subsidiary of Wandering Soul Beer, crafting non-traditional beverages that focus on hop-forward flavors. Among their offerings is a lineup of hop waters, a growing trend in the craft beer scene. With more breweries experimenting with hop-infused sparkling water, Hidden Path Brewing throws its hat into the ring with multiple variations, each showcasing a different hop blend.
How Does It Pour? How Does It Smell?
This week, we are drinking Sparkling Hop Water from Hidden Path Brewing. Unlike beer, hop water ditches the malt and alcohol, relying solely on hops for flavor and aroma. This version combines Citra, Mosaic, and Motueka hops, a trio known for their citrusy and tropical characteristics. Pouring a clear, pale yellow, this bubbly beverage releases a Mosaic-dominant aroma, hinting at pine and stone fruit, with just a touch of zest from the Citra.
How Does It Taste?
On the sip, Hidden Path Brewing’s Sparkling Hop Water delivers a light yet noticeable hop presence, making it more flavorful than your standard sparkling water but still far from a full-fledged IPA. The citrusy brightness from the Citra and Motueka plays well with the earthier, slightly dank Mosaic, while the effervescence keeps things crisp. A slight aftertaste of carbonated water lingers, but it’s a small price to pay for something this refreshingly hoppy.
Untappd has yet to rate Sparkling Hop Water from Hidden Path Brewing, but I’m giving it a 3.7. While many breweries have tried their hand at hop water, Lagunitas remains the gold standard—but Hidden Path might be the closest challenger I’ve tasted. If you’re a fan of hoppy beverages but want to skip the booze, this is definitely worth a sip. Try it and decide for yourself if it’s a contender for the hop water crown!
HAPPY EVERY HOUR – NA BEERS & 90s: Explore the many options of beers and ciders without the side effects of alcohol. With so many de-alcoholized beers on the market, we’ll organize our reviews by style. Here, you’ll also find non-alcoholic or alcohol-free ciders as well as those beverages classified as hop water.
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