Pass or Fail? Non-alcoholic hopped beverages

How addicted to hops are you? Sure, you love IPAs, you have eaten hop-infused chocolate and always sprinkle hop salt from Rogue Farms on your food (Just me? OK), but would you be interested in drinking in that hop flavor in a non-alcoholic beverage? If so, you are in luck.

Cincinnati, Ohio-based startup 48th Parallel announced that its flagship beverage, Hopwater, is now available in more than 100 retail, restaurant and bar locations in Northern Kentucky and Ohio. Strategic partnerships with Cavalier Distributing in Ohio and Beer House Distributors in Kentucky attributed to the recent expansion, including several new locations in Dayton, Ohio.

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One of a few “hop waters” now on the market, 48th Parallel’s hopped beverage launched in early 2015, and the founders are anticipating exponential growth.

“We couldn’t be happier with the progress we’ve seen and the partnerships we’ve formed in just the last three months,” said Brandon Dawson, CEO of 48th Parallel. “We believe in this product, and we are excited to share it with lovers of hops in Cincinnati, Dayton and the beyond.”

Hopwater is a Cincinnati-made craft soda with the pleasing bitterness and aroma of hops. More than just a soda, a beer, or a mixer, the folks at 48th Parallel believe Hopwater is the start of a brand new category of hopped beverages. It’s free of noxious, unpronounceable chemicals, not overly sweet like most sodas, and only 48 calories per 12-ounce serving. Hopwater’s four flavors — Original, Grapefruit, Lime, and Ginger — come in around 48 IBU. The pleasingly bitter sparkling water is a healthy quinine-free alternative to tonic water and can be enjoyed on its own or as a cocktail mixer.

“Hopwater truly is a brand new product and is in an entirely new category of beverages,” said Dawson. “It’s like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. It’s not too sweet, just a little bitter and absolutely refreshing whether you’re mixing it with your favorite spirit or just drinking it chilled.”

So what do you think? Are you sold? Those in favor, retweet this and proudly state, “Hello, my name is [state your name] and I’m a hop addict. #Pass”