Hop Water vs Non-Alcoholic Beer: Which One’s Right for You?
We’ve brewed hundreds of beers over the decades. And now, thanks to years of innovation, there are options for every occasion—even when the time’s not right for alcohol. Thanks to our ever-growing lines of non-alcoholic brews and hop waters, Sierra Nevada has something for every occasion. The only question: how do you choose?
What Is Hop Water?
Hop Water is what it sounds like: sparkling water brewed with real hops—the same we use for making beer. There is no alcohol, no grain or gluten, and, in our original variety, no calories or sugar. Just refreshing, bubbly water with a fresh bite of hops.
Hop Water Brewing Process
Like our beer, our original Hop Splash starts with crisp, clean water that’s carbon-filtered and pH-balanced for the smoothest possible sip. It’s then brewed with Amarillo and Citra hops adding light bitterness and bright and fruity hop notes of mango and peach. The result is a clean and refreshing fizz in every sip.
Looking for a little more flavor? Reach for our lightly flavored Hop Splash Variety Pack: These varieties pair different hops with a splash of real fruit juice to complement their specific flavors. Take Lemon & Lime: the added juice pairs perfectly with Crystal Hop’s citrus zip. Likewise, Peach & Passion Fruit doubles down on Krush hop’s tropical fruit aromatics.
What is non-alcoholic beer?
Non-alcoholic beers are like traditional beer but contain little to no alcohol. Recent innovations have made for drastic improvements in the quality and drinking experience of non-alcoholic beer. Take Sierra Nevada Trail Pass IPA: it’s brewed just like our other IPAs with hops like Amarillo, Bravo, Cascade, CTZ, and Magnum for that classic pine and citrus flavor. But thanks to a special yeast, the ABV clocks in at less than 0.5%. Same goes for our other varieties: Golden, Brewveza, and our gold-medal winning Hazy IPA.
How is non-alcoholic beer brewed?
Historically, non-alcoholic beer wasn’t known for quality. Alcohol was removed after brewing through a process called dealcoholization, which unfortunately stripped away much of the flavor and body of the beer with it. For years, we tinkered, looking for a method that would produce a non-alcoholic beer that met our very high standards. The results were lackluster.
Then, R&D company Lallemand released an innovative new yeast strain—a hybrid of beer and wine yeasts—that kept fermentation levels below 0.5% and produced a brew that tasted just like the real thing. Its clean and bright flavor allowed the malt and hops to pop, resulting in piney IPA and danky Hazy, clean and malty Golden, and crisp and refreshing Brewveza. Now, we even release special seasonals like the dark and roasty Extra Dark or the festive and malty Fest Brew.
What are the key differences between hop water and non-alcoholic beer?
Though both are great options, hop water and non-alcoholic beer are completely different—from the flavor to the brewing process to the drinking experience to the alcohol content.
Alcohol Content
Non-alcoholic beer contains 0.5% ABV or less, meaning it won’t give you a buzz even after drinking several. However, it still contains a trace amount of alcohol—about the same as store-bought kombucha. Hop water, on the other hand, does not undergo fermentation and has 0% alcohol. It’s just sparkling water with more flavor.
Calories, Carbs, Sugar, and Gluten
For the lowest numbers in calories, carbohydrates, sugar, and gluten, reach our original Hop Splash—it’s all zeroes across the board. Our naturally flavored Hop Splash varieties keep the alcohol and gluten at zero, and the other stats aren’t much higher: most weigh in at just 15 calories and four carbohydrates.
Our full-flavored Trail Pass line is higher in these measurements than sparkling water but still lower than most beers. The classic Trail Pass IPA, for instance, contains 85 calories—less than half of what you’d find in most IPAs. Things get even lower with Golden, which weighs in at 71 calories, and Brewveza at 70 calories. Our gold-medal winning Hazy IPA brings huge, dank flavor at just 100 calories.
Which Beverage Fits Your Lifestyle?
The choice here depends on your goals. Are you looking for something extra light and refreshing? Or a great drinking experience but low impact on calories and fitness goals? Hop Splash might be a great choice. Are you a beer lover looking for full flavor without the alcohol? Trail Pass is your passport to a gold-medal craft beer experience.
No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong. Thanks to recent innovations, there’s now truly something for everyone.
Hop Water vs Non-Alcoholic Beer FAQ
What’s the difference between hop water and non-alcoholic beer?
Hop water is a non-alcoholic, zero-calorie sparkling water infused with hops—offering a crisp, hop-forward flavor without malt, grains, or fermentation. Non-alcoholic beer, on the other hand, is brewed like regular beer but contains little to no alcohol (typically ≤0.5%) and often includes grains, yeast, and malt, giving it a more traditional beer taste and mouthfeel.
Which is healthier: hop water or non-alcoholic beer?
Hop water is generally considered the healthier option due to its zero calories, zero sugar, and gluten-free formulation. Non-alcoholic beer typically contains 50–100 calories per serving and may include gluten and trace alcohol. For calorie-conscious or wellness-focused drinkers, hop water has the edge.
Do either hop water or non-alcoholic beer have alcohol, calories, or carbs?
Hop water contains 0.0% alcohol, no calories, and no carbs. Non-alcoholic beer usually has up to 0.5% alcohol by volume, around 50–100 calories, and some carbs due to the brewing grains. Always check the label, as nutritional values vary by brand.
Does hop water taste like beer or give you a buzz?
Hop water mimics some flavor notes of beer—thanks to hops—but lacks the maltiness and body of a full brew. It won’t give you a buzz, as it’s completely alcohol-free. It’s best described as a refreshing, hop-flavored sparkling water rather than a beer substitute.
