Arbor Ales ZZ - Hop Beer Review

November 5, 2023 Cameron Mackenzie

Arbor Ales is one of the best-loved breweries operating in Bristol today. With their distinctive leaf-adorned pint cans, their exceptional range of beers jumps out from the shelves of quality food and drink merchants around Bristol. You will often find their beers on tap at the city’s best-loved watering holes, and even the better-stocked corner shops.

The brewery has been in operation since 2007, and its delightful tap room makes up part of the East Bristol Brewery Trail along with fellow Bristolian breweries Good Chemistry, Left Handed Giant, Little Martha, Moor Beer Co, and Wiper & True.

Named after Texan rockers ZZ Top, ZZ Hop is Arbor’s take on the increasingly popular New England IPA (NEIPA) style of beer which, as the name suggests, has made its way out of New England and has begun to conquer the craft beer world.

ZZ Hop was originally called Zero-Zero, however, it was renamed by an online poll in 2022 to avoid confusion with the proliferation of new zero percent alcohol beers available on the market.

New England IPAs are a relatively new style of ale. First brewed by John Kimmich of The Alchemist Brewery in Vermont in 2011, Heady Topper was the first NEIPA to hit the scene. Known for their distinctive haziness resulting from their unfiltered nature, NEIPAs tend to be lower in alcohol content than their traditional IPA ancestors. ZZ Hop is no exception to this rule. Clocking in at 4.3% ABV it is described by Arbor Ales as session strength and is brewed with citra and mosaic hops

On pouring, one is struck by the gorgeous, vibrant hazy yellow of this beer. It’s mango-like in colour, and on approaching to take a first sip, mango-like in scent. ZZ Hop’s bouquet is bright and tropical, with hints of passion fruit also making an appearance.

Flavour-wise ZZ Hop is not overly hoppy or bitter – as you would expect from a New England IPA. The beer has a light and refreshing flavour to match its presentation, a flavour profile which is nicely complimented by a rich and creamy mouthfeel.

This thick texture – and the fact that ZZ Hop is only lightly sparkling – does make it a heavier beer so not as sessionable as a lager or other lighter beer styles. Regardless, ZZ Hop goes down a treat with a pleasant and mild aftertaste that cuts through the creaminess.

As I approach the bottom of the glass I’m grateful for the pint can philosophy adopted by Arbor Ales, providing me with that little extra burst of flavour before it’s time for another one.

You can pick up a can of Arbor Ales ZZ Hop at all manner of food and drinks retailers within the city of Bristol. If you’re elsewhere in the UK, don’t fret, as Arbor offer nationwide delivery across their entire range of beers.

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Written by Daniel Brashaw, find him on highpasscreative.com or by clicking here.