Portland-based Lolo Hops doesn’t call its products “hop water,” opting instead for “sparkling hop beverage,” because to be fair they aren’t simply carbonated hop-infused water. While they are non-alcoholic and gluten free, they do contain a small amount of sugar—8 grams per 12 ounce serving, amounting to 30 calories—and two of the flavors also contain additional ingredients. So it’s fair to say they aren’t just hop water.

The company sent me samples of its three products: Cascadia Field Blend, Yuzu Orange Blossom, and Pomelo Sage, and I’d posted the press release details about them a little while back:

Lolo Hops revisits signature flavors, Pomelo Sage and Yuzu Orange Blossom, which originally launched under the name Aurora Hops in 2020 in glass bottles. A new flavor, Cascadia Field Blend, has been added to the lineup, letting the hops infusion shine without any added flavors. All three drinks are sold in 12-ounce cans, direct-to-consumer via Lolo’s online shop as well as in select markets across the country.

And here’s the “About” for the parent company, Aurora Elixirs:

We are a female founded and operated business crafting sparkling whole plant infused beverages.

Born alongside the legalization of recreational cannabis in Oregon, our beverages introduce the benefits of cannabinoids to new consumers and enthusiasts in a thoughtful and inspired concoction. Aurora’s inspirations are the Goddess of the Dawn and the Northern Lights – both the visually stimulating natural phenomenon in the northern hemisphere and the first strain of highest quality marijuana introduced to our founder in her youth growing up in Brooklyn.

So working with hops is a natural extension to working with hemp and cannabis.

Most of the other sparkling hop waters I’ve been trying lately don’t have the added sugar (or, at least not enough to list on the nutritional label), so I was certainly curious to see how these tasted.

Let’s find out!

Cascadia Field Blend

This is the newest flavor from the company, featuring all-hops and no other flavors in its recipe, though strangely enough for its name, it does not include Cascade hops. Oh well. Here’s the description:

A naturally verdant blend of Pacific Northwest Chinook, Mosaic®, and Ekuanot® hops yields spring-like aromas of wet grass, eucalyptus, lush florals, and lively grapefruit with a pleasantly dry finish.

The full ingredient list is: “Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Organic Cane Sugar, Pure Resin Chinook Hops, Pure Resin Ekuanot® Hops, Pure Resin Mosaic Hops Extract, Reverse Osmosis Water”

The acids are there to help balance pH as well as add a little bit of flavor (particularly citric).

My notes: Cloudy pale yellow-white and sparkling, it reminds me a little of fizzy Alka Seltzer in appearance. Wet grass, grapefruit peel, damp forest in the aroma, though overall it’s quite light. It’s not hoppy per se, in smell so far. The flavor is a blend of Squirt soda (perhaps Diet Squirt?) and bitter tonic, slightly medicinal, with a touch of resin, and a dash of citric acid. It’s pleasant and refreshing, if a bit woody-bitter at the back, and overall it’s quite light. There’s a slightly minty character as well. It’s crisp and moderately dry with a light fruitiness in the finish.

Yuzu Orange Blossom

Yuzu Orange Blossom, along with Pomelo Sage, were the original Aurora Hops flavors. Here’s the description:

Vibrant yuzu citrus compliments the delicate, floral aromas of orange blossom, notes of woody peppercorn and Pacific Northwest Mosaic and Citra hops extract for a nuanced blend.

The ingredients list more than just hops in this case: “Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural Black Peppercorn Extract, Natural Orange Blossom, Natural Quinine, Natural Yuzu, Organic Cane Sugar, Pure Resin Citra® Hops, Pure Resin Mosaic Hops Extract, Reverse Osmosis Water”

The black peppercorn and especially the quinine are interesting additions, and yuzu is a citrus fruit that originated in Asia.

My notes: Less milky than the previous one, with a hint of yellow and gray. Bright but subtle aroma of orange or tangerine, and orange zest. Orange is in the flavor as well, with some lively citrus character and any bitterness (quinine) is quite low. It’s pleasant and slightly sweet; I don’t get any notes of peppercorn except maybe as a slightly woody presence, but really there’s no spice to speak of. It’s refreshing and very light, I like it better than the Cascadia Field Blend for the sweet orange (blossom).

Pomelo Sage

Pomelo is another Asian citrus fruit, in the same family as yuzu and an ancestor to grapefruit.

Juicy & luscious pomelo citrus blends with the piney sweetness of sage to compliment the bitter notes and bright aromas of our Pacific Northwest Citra hops extract.

I listed the ingredients for the first two so of course I’m listing for this one as well: “Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural Pomelo Extract, Natural Quinine, Natural Sage Extract, Organic Cane Sugar, Pure Resin Citra® Hops, Reverse Osmosis Water”

Notably, Pomelo Sage only uses a single hop variety, showcasing Citra. And the sage here I’m assuming is culinary sage.

My notes: Milky-ish with perhaps a light, pale orange tint. The aroma has a citrusy note with citrus peel/rind and a fruity character that made me initially think pomegranate. There are some earthy notes here, likely the sage, which is reminiscent of the smell of the high desert after a rain. The flavor is bright and fruity with less “orange” citrus and more “green” but it’s not tart. Hint of quinine tonic, any sage present is super subtle but comes out a bit at the back. It’s mellow, crisp, and refreshing.

Overall, all three of these are interesting and worth exploring if you’re looking for hoppy non-alcoholic alternatives.