What does hoppy mean?
Hoppy has two established uses. Its best-known meaning describes beer or another malt drink that has a pronounced hop aroma or flavor, often involving floral, herbal, citrus, resinous, or spicy characteristics. In this context, hoppy identifies a prominent hop character rather than specifying a particular beer style, and it does not necessarily imply that the drink is highly bitter. The word can also be used informally of a person or place to mean energetic, lively, or enthusiastic, as in a description of a hoppy celebration. Although the beer meaning is the more specialized use, both senses suggest energy and intensity. Hoppy is especially common in brewing, beer reviews, and discussions among craft-beer enthusiasts, while the figurative sense appears in casual conversation. It is a useful word because it captures a characteristic that is difficult to express with a more general term such as strong-flavored or lively.
adjectiveCharacterized by hops, especially a beer with a pronounced hop aroma or flavor. Informally, it can mean energetic, lively, or enthusiastic.
- Characterized by hops, especially used of beer with a noticeable hop aroma or flavor.
- Informally, full of energy, enthusiasm, or lively activity.
"The brewery launched a highly hoppy pale ale with citrus and tropical-fruit notes."
"The pale ale was hoppy, with a bold aroma of pine and grapefruit."
"The children were full of hoppy energy on the morning of the school trip."
In beer, “hoppy” is praise: the more prominently a beer foregrounds the hop plant's aromatic, often floral or citrusy character, the more accurately the label describes it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hoppy come from?
The word is formed from hop, the climbing plant whose female flowers are used in brewing, together with the adjective-forming suffix -y. The plant name comes through Middle English from Old English hoppe and is related to Middle Dutch hoppe and modern Dutch hop. The adjective's familiar beer sense developed from the idea of a drink containing a substantial amount of hops, while the informal sense of being lively or enthusiastic evokes the movement of hopping.
Related word forms
How hoppy is actually used
The beer sense is descriptive and common among beer enthusiasts and brewers; a hoppy beer need not be strongly bitter. The sense meaning energetic or enthusiastic is informal and more common in casual speech than formal writing.
Easily confused with hoppy
Hoppy relates to hops or energetic enthusiasm, whereas happy primarily means pleased or contented.
Hoppy is an adjective describing a person, place, or drink, while hopping is the present participle of the verb hop.