Hopdriven

Hopdriven is an informal descriptor used in beer writing and marketing to denote a beer whose character is dominated by hops. It refers to a hop-forward profile where hop-derived aromas and flavors are central to the drinking experience, often with noticeable bitterness.

Origin and usage: The term emerged with the craft beer movement of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, aligning with styles such as American IPAs, double IPAs, and other hoppy pale ales. It is not a regulated category but a qualitative label used by brewers, reviewers, and marketers to signal a hop-centric experience.

Characteristics: Hopdriven beers typically exhibit strong hop aroma compounds including citrus, pine, resin, tropical fruit, and floral notes. Flavors follow with pronounced bitterness and a hop-forward finish, though malt and yeast choices vary by substyle. Modern hopping methods such as late additions and dry hopping maximize hop character and can influence mouthfeel and clarity depending on the style.

Relation to other terms: Hopdriven is closely related to hop-forward or hoppy. It is sometimes used interchangeably, though some readers reserve hopdriven for more intense, hop-saturated beers, while others apply it to a broader range of hop-centric styles.

See also: hop-forward, IPA, craft beer.