Hophead Vodka 750ML

Hophead Vodka 750ML 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.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: San Francisco, California, USA  |  Style: Hop-Distilled Vodka  |  Distillery: Anchor Distilling

Production & Heritage

Anchor 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.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: 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.

Taste: 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.

Finish: 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.

How to Drink Hophead Vodka

Sipping 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:

• Hophead Martini: The resinous, floral profile substitutes beautifully for gin in a dry Martini, with olive brine amplifying the herbal notes.
• Greyhound: Fresh grapefruit juice mirrors the citrus already present on the nose, creating a seamless, aromatic long drink.
• Moscow Mule: The peppery finish and hop bitterness play against ginger beer's spice, producing a more complex, layered take on the classic.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast curious about spirits
• Blind tastings exploring the line between vodka and gin
• Building a home bar focused on American craft distilling
• Introducing hop-forward flavors to cocktail-focused gatherings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hophead Vodka taste like? 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.

How does Hophead Vodka compare to Charbay R5? 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.

Is Hophead Vodka good for cocktails? 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.

Where is Hophead Vodka made? 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.

What foods pair well with Hophead Vodka? 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.

What sizes does Hophead Vodka come in? Hophead Vodka is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Hophead Vodka worth the price? 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.

Why Hophead Vodka?

No 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.