Hop Hooligans
Hop Hooligans is a Romanian craft brewery from Jilava, just outside Bucharest. They have been around since 2016 and are known for a huge range: hazy IPAs, imperial pastry stouts and fruity smoothie sours. At Hoptimaal you will mainly find their sour beers in 50 cl.
- LocationJilava, Județul Ilfov
- Founded2016
- TypeMicrobrewery
- Untappd 3.93 · 317k ratings
- At Hoptimaal2 in stock · 6 in total
In stock now 2
Previously at Hoptimaal 4
Sold out. If a new batch is coming, you can ask for a heads-up on the product page.
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From Jilava to the Romanian craft scene
Hop Hooligans is based in Jilava, in the region around Bucharest, on Șoseaua Giurgiului. The story begins in early November 2016. Mircea and Cristi started out together with Petre Ion, founder of Beer O'Clock, one of the first craft beer bars in Romania. About half a year after the start, Petre died in a car accident, in late April 2017. The two brewers then had to manage on their own. It was a hard time: the name of their Game Over IPA was more than a joke. With hard work and a growing group of fans, they got through it.
In July 2017 they joined the Craft Beer Producers' Association, which wants to promote Romanian craft beer. In June 2018 they announced the purchase of a canning line from the United Kingdom, which made them the first Romanian craft brewery in cans. In 2019, together with Bereta, they organised Haze Fest, the first Romanian craft beer festival following the format of established European events. In September 2020 they opened their own taproom in the centre of Bucharest.
A brewery that wants to try everything
Their motto is simple: they only make beer they want to drink themselves. In practice that results in a wide range. The foundation is New England and hazy IPA, from standard to triple strength. In the Shock Therapy series they keep testing new hop combinations. They also make imperial pastry stouts and fruited smoothie sours.
According to Romanian Drinks, they were the first on the Romanian market with, among others, milk stouts, sours, barley wines and brut IPAs. Collaborations are part of it too: with Bereta, Wicked Barrel and Hophead from Romania, but also with breweries from Wales and the Republic of Moldova. On BeerAdvocate there are by now more than two hundred beers listed from them.
Hop Hooligans at Hoptimaal
We have carried six beers from Hop Hooligans, two of which are in stock now. They are mainly sour beers, supplemented by an IPA, all in 50 cl and between 4 and 6 percent. On Untappd, Trifling Matters, Rainbow Eyes: Peach Mango, Gold Standard, Kafkaesque, Palinka Panik and Gincident, among others, are rated highly. What exactly is in stock varies, so check the brewery page for the current selection.
Drink the sour beers well chilled, so the freshness and the fruit come through. For the IPA, the fresher the better. Store it cool and don't let it sit too long.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Hop Hooligans come from?
Hop Hooligans comes from Jilava, in the region around Bucharest in Romania. The brewery started in late 2016 and since September 2020 it also has its own taproom in the centre of Bucharest.
What kind of beer does Hop Hooligans make?
Mainly New England and hazy IPAs, from standard to triple strength. They also make imperial pastry stouts and fruited smoothie sours, and they were the first in Romania to try, among others, milk stouts and barley wines.
How do you best drink Hop Hooligans?
Serve the sour beers and IPAs well chilled and drink them as fresh as possible. With hoppy beers the aroma fades over time, so don't wait too long.
