Welcome to Hoppy’s Corner. This page will show Hoppy’s latest thoughts about beer, the beer industry, and other beer-related thoughts that spring into his mind from time to time. These thoughts will sit on this page for a while before they are eventually moved to become either an FAQ or an article for all website visitors to enjoy. Come back often to see what interesting things have been on Hoppy’s mind lately!
What is a “HopHead”?
hophead
/ˈhäpˌhed/
A hophead typically refers to a beer enthusiast who loves heavily hopped beers, such as IPAs (India Pale Ales). Historically, the slang term was used as a derogatory label for a narcotics addict, particularly someone addicted to opium or heroin.
The definitions fall into two main categories:
1. The Craft Beer Enthusiast (Modern Usage)
In the craft beer and homebrewing communities, a hophead is someone obsessed with hops—the flower cones used to add bitterness, aroma, and flavor to beer.
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- Flavor Profile: They seek out beers with strong citrus, floral, piney, or tropical flavors.
- Official Recognition: The term has become so widespread that it was officially added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2018.
2. Narcotic Addict (Historical Slang)
Originating in the early 1900s, this term historically referred to someone heavily dependent on illegal drugs.
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- Etymology: “Hop” was late-19th-century slang for opium.
- Usage: It frequently appeared in mid-20th-century jazz and beat literature before being largely replaced by more modern slang.
