Hoppy is a unique and beloved part of Japan’s drinking culture, offering a refreshing beer-like experience with a twist. Known for its low alcohol content and versatility, it has been a staple in Japanese izakayas and homes for decades. Whether enjoyed on its own or mixed with shochu, this drink brings a nostalgic charm and a creative edge to any drinking occasion. Read on to discover the fascinating history, flavors, and traditions that make Hoppy a true icon of Japanese beverages!
What is Hoppy?
Hoppy is a beer-flavored soft drink that started a unique trend in Japanese alcohol culture: mixing it with shochu. Recently, its distinct taste has gained more attention. When served chilled on its own, it becomes a light, low-alcohol drink with just 0.8% alcohol. You can also get creative by mixing Hoppy with other liqueurs like gin, vodka, or plum wine to make your own original drink. This drink is a low-calorie option, with only about 11 kcal per 100ml—around a quarter of the calories in beer. Black Hoppy has slightly more at 12 kcal per 100ml. Even when mixed with 70ml of shochu, it’s about three-quarters of beer’s calories. Hoppy is also low in carbs, making it a great choice for those on a low-carb diet. It contains just 1.7g of carbohydrates per 100ml, while Black Hoppy has about 1.9g per 100ml.
Origin of the name
At first, it was called “Hobby” within the company, with the intention of it being a beer-like drink, a non-beer made with real hops, but the name sounded bad, so it was changed to “Hoppy” when it was released. Please use the catchy phrase “Happy with Hoppy!” when inviting people to toast.
What is Hoppy made of?
Hoppy uses two-row barley malt from Germany and Canada, aromatic and bitter hops from Hallertau, Germany—considered the best in the world—and bottom-fermenting yeast carefully selected at the Yeast Bank in Munich, Germany. For water, the manufacture rely on natural sources from the Chichibu mountain range, showing our commitment to the finest ingredients.
Hoppy History
Hoppy’s story began in 1905 when the company was founded by 10-year-old Ishiwatari Hide as a shop supplying mochi sweets to the Akasaka military unit. Later, they expanded to producing Ramune and eventually ventured into non-alcoholic beer during the Taisho era. Despite initial resistance due to poor-quality substitutes at the time, Hide was inspired by Shinshu’s hop fields in 1926 to create a better non-alcoholic beer. After wartime delays, Hide and his brother Kotaro finally succeeded in 1948, developing a natural, hop-based non-alcoholic beer. Named Hoppy, it became a black-market favorite for enhancing low-quality alcohol, revolutionizing Japanese drinking culture with its unique mixability and enduring popularity.
Hoppy became popular as mixer for shochu
Hoppy, developed by the Japanese company Hoppy Beverage, became popular after its creation in 1948 as a beer-flavored soft drink. During the postwar era, beer was too expensive for most people, and low-quality alcoholic beverages dominated the market. It gained fame for its ability to make even poor-tasting alcohol more enjoyable when mixed, leading to the widespread custom of pairing it with shochu. This practice became so popular that any drink mixed with shochu started being referred to as “Hoppy.”
Types of Hoppy
White Hoppy
Details
White Hoppy is the standard, basic type of hoppy. It is characterized by a clear, light taste with a refreshing, beer-like aftertaste. With a low alcohol content of 0.8%, it is recommended for those who are light drinkers or those who want to enjoy it for an extended period. The strong carbonation allows for easy adjustment of the strength by varying the amount of shochu and ice used.
Recommended Drinking
To enjoy White Hoppy, first chill it in the fridge. Pour the chilled White Hoppy into a glass filled with ice and serve it with medium shochu. For a fresher taste, you can use a less shochu-flavored Kou-type shochu instead. To enhance the refreshing flavor, add a squeeze of lemon or lime.
Food Pairings
White Hoppy pairs well with all fried foods, such as yakitori, shish kebabs, and deep-fried dishes, helping to wash away the oily taste. It also complements Japanese snacks like edamame and chilled tofu. Additionally, it is recommended to enjoy White Hoppy with light salads and refreshing salad dressings for a balanced and delightful meal.
Black Hoppy
Details
BlackHoppy, made from roasted malt, boasts a savory flavor and a deep taste. Its richness satisfies beer lovers, offering a perfect balance of subtle sweetness and bitterness. Compared to WhiteHoppy, it provides a richer, more robust drinking experience.
Recommended Drinking
To enjoy Black Hoppy, first chill it in the fridge. Pour the chilled BlackHoppy into a glass filled with ice and serve it with medium shochu. To enhance the taste of theit, choose a shochu with a rich flavor, such as barley shochu or potato shochu. For a more mature taste, you can also mix it with whisky instead of shochu.
Food Pairings
Black Hoppy pairs well with darker-flavored dishes such as stewed motsu, grilled meat, and grilled hormone. It is also a surprisingly good match for Japanese dishes like grilled fish and stewed dishes. Additionally, it makes a perfect snack when enjoyed with cheese and nuts.
Red Hoppy (55Hoppy)
Details
Red Hoppy, also known as ‘55Hoppy’, is characterized by its distinctive sweetness and richness. It offers a unique flavor and taste that is completely different from white and black hoppies. It is sweeter and easier to drink than other hoppies, making it ideal for those who want a unique taste and are looking to discover new ways to enjoy it.
Recommended Drinking
To enjoy Red Hoppy, first chill it in the fridge. Pour the chilled RedHoppy into a glass filled with ice and serve it with medium shochu. To enhance the sweetness of the RedHoppy, choose a shochu with a slight sweetness, such as rice shochu or awamori. For a cocktail-like experience, add a little syrup or fruit.
Food Pairings
Red Hoppy pairs well with spicy dishes such as ethnic food, Chinese food, and curry. It is also an excellent accompaniment to sweet and spicy stews and teriyaki. Additionally, it makes a delightful combination when enjoyed with sweets and fruit as a dessert.
Hoppy 330
Details
Hoppy 330 is a convenient way to enjoy hoppy drinks, served in 330 ml cans. Often based on white hoppies, it can be enjoyed anywhere, such as on the go or at parties. These cans can be slightly more carbonated than regular bottled hoppies.
Recommended Drinking
To enjoy Hoppy 330, chill it thoroughly in the fridge and drink it as it is. You can also add medium shochu to adjust the thickness to your liking. Pour it into a glass and add a squeeze of citrus fruit such as lemon or lime for a more refreshing experience.
Food Pairings
The easy portability of Hoppy 330 makes it ideal for outdoor dining, such as BBQs and camping. It pairs well with packed lunches and light meals. It is also a great choice for parties, where each participant can enjoy it with their favorite shochu.
FAQ
- What is Hoppy?
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It is a beer-flavored soft drink that is popular in Japan and is mainly mixed with shochu. It has a low alcohol content of 0.8% and is enjoyed as an alternative to beer.
- How to drink Hoppy?
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It is commonly served in a style called “sanrei,” where shochu is poured into a chilled mug, and Hoppy is poured on top. The key to this method is to chill Hoppy, shochu, and the mug well.
- Where can I buy Hoppy?
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It is available for purchase at many liquor stores and supermarkets in Japan. There are also stores that offer it online. It is especially common to find it served in izakayas and restaurants.
Recommended Restaurants
Izakaya Shinjuku Ishikarigawa (北海道ご当地ろばた 石狩川)
This is a robatayaki restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where you can enjoy the flavors of Hokkaido. They purchase carefully selected ingredients directly from all over Hokkaido. The store’s pride and joy is its draft classic beer, which is only available in Hokkaido and only in a few stores in Tokyo, and the rare “DraftHoppy”
Okonomiyaki Monja Teppanyaki Nami Ikebukuro (お好み焼 もんじゃ 鉄板焼 なみ 池袋店)
This popular okonomiyaki restaurant is known for its fluffy and creamy okonomiyaki with plenty of yam, and mentaiko monjayaki. They also offer a wide variety of teppan menu items, such as grilled shabu-shabu and yakiniku. The dough, filled with plenty of Yamato yam, is fluffy and soft and has an addictive taste. The most popular dish is the signature dish “Namiten,” which contains both pork and seafood. A cold draft Hoppi is the perfect match for a hot okonomiyaki.
Takeaway
Whether you enjoy it chilled on its own or mixed with shochu, its refreshing taste and unique charm are sure to leave an impression. If you’re visiting Japan, don’t miss the chance to try Hoppy for yourself and experience firsthand why it has remained a favorite for generations. Cheers to discovering something truly special!
You can check some Japanese drinks that we know you would like to try too.
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