{"title":"Hophead","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"hophead-vodka-750ml","title":"Hophead Vodka 750ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHophead Vodka 750ML\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 90-proof (45% ABV) vodka distilled entirely from Yakima Valley hops by Anchor Distilling in San Francisco. Recognized as the world's first hopped vodka, it earned a 95-point Chairman's Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge — a testament to its boundary-blurring character that sits somewhere between vodka and gin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: San Francisco, California, USA  |  Style: Hop-Distilled Vodka  |  Distillery: Anchor Distilling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnchor Distilling, the spirits arm of San Francisco's historic Anchor Brewing Company, developed Hophead as a first-of-its-kind expression. The process begins with two varieties of hops sourced from Washington State's Yakima Valley, which are macerated in neutral grain spirit — a technique borrowed directly from gin production. The infused spirit is then redistilled in small copper pot stills, capturing the volatile aromatics of the hops while stripping away bitterness, resulting in a vodka that carries floral intensity without the heavy malt character of beer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with a rush of fresh grapefruit peel and pine resin, followed by a grassy, herbal hop character. Underneath, a light oak-like woodiness adds depth, evoking something between a forest floor and a freshly cracked IPA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On entry, the palate is surprisingly clean and bright, with floral and red apple flavors that build across the mid-palate. Grain-forward hops emerge as it develops, carrying only a faint trace of sweetness. The texture is medium-bodied and oily for a vodka, lending it a gin-like weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e A crisp peppery undertone kicks in on the finish, reminiscent of a dry stout beer, with lingering resinous and herbal notes. The finish is medium-long and dry, with the hop character fading into clean warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Hophead Vodka\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSipping neat or slightly chilled is the best way to experience the full spectrum of hop aromatics — the 45% ABV provides enough structure to hold up without water. For those who prefer cocktails, three standout options:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHophead Martini:\u003c\/strong\u003e The resinous, floral profile substitutes beautifully for gin in a dry Martini, with olive brine amplifying the herbal notes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreyhound:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh grapefruit juice mirrors the citrus already present on the nose, creating a seamless, aromatic long drink.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMoscow Mule:\u003c\/strong\u003e The peppery finish and hop bitterness play against ginger beer's spice, producing a more complex, layered take on the classic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a craft beer enthusiast curious about spirits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlind tastings exploring the line between vodka and gin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a home bar focused on American craft distilling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing hop-forward flavors to cocktail-focused gatherings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Hophead Vodka taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Hophead Vodka delivers floral, red apple, and resinous hop flavors with a peppery, stout-like finish — closer in character to a botanical gin than a traditional neutral vodka. It carries only a faint sweetness, with the hop aromatics doing most of the talking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Hophead Vodka compare to Charbay R5?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both spirits are distilled from hops, but Charbay R5 starts as a fully brewed IPA (Bear Republic's Racer 5) and is aged into a whiskey, while Hophead macerates raw hops in neutral grain spirit and redistills, yielding a cleaner, more floral profile without malt or barrel influence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Hophead Vodka good for cocktails?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — its herbal intensity and medium body make it a strong stand-in for gin in classic recipes like a Martini or Collins, while still reading as a vodka in simpler serves like a Greyhound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Hophead Vodka made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Hophead Vodka is produced by Anchor Distilling in San Francisco, California. The hops used in production are sourced from the Yakima Valley in Washington State, one of the world's premier hop-growing regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Hophead Vodka?\u003c\/strong\u003e Briny oysters on the half shell complement the resinous, citrus-forward aromatics. Herbed goat cheese highlights the floral hop notes. Grilled white fish with lemon lets the peppery finish cut through richness. Hoppy beer-battered fish and chips create a playful echo of the base ingredient. Fresh grapefruit salad mirrors the citrus found on the nose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Hophead Vodka come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Hophead Vodka is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Hophead Vodka worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Hophead positions as a premium craft vodka, priced above mass-market brands but justified by its singular production method, small-batch copper pot distillation, and the distinction of being the first hopped vodka ever produced. Its 95-point Chairman's Trophy score reinforces its standing within the craft spirits tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Hophead Vodka?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo other vodka on the market starts with hops as its defining ingredient — Hophead created the category entirely. The maceration-and-redistillation technique, borrowed from London dry gin production but applied to Yakima Valley hops, produces a spirit that genuinely tastes like nothing else in the vodka aisle. Its 95-point Chairman's Trophy from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge validates what the palate already confirms: this is a technically accomplished spirit with real complexity. For drinkers who find conventional vodka too neutral and gin too juniper-heavy, Hophead occupies a compelling middle ground that rewards both straight sipping and creative mixing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hophead","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44836974756009,"sku":"24716","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/hophead_vodka__67512.jpg?v=1730475572"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/hophead.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}