Hopper's Beer Choice: What's In The Fridge?

Chief Hopper, the beloved and cranky cop from the Netflix series *Stranger Things*, has inspired a new beer. Chief Hopper by Michigan's Short's Brewing Company is a 9.1% double IPA, a strong and bitter beer that is well-suited to fans of the show and the character. This isn't the first time a TV character has been honoured in the craft beer world, with Breaking Bad's Walter White also inspiring two beers.

Chief Hopper from 'Stranger Things' inspires a double IPA

Chief Hopper from Stranger Things inspires a double IPA. The beloved and cranky Netflix character, Sheriff Jim Hopper, has inspired Michigan's Short's Brewing Company to create a big and bitter 9.1% double IPA. The beer, named Chief Hopper, is a tribute to Hopper's character as a homespun American hero taking on evil in an alternate dimension. This isn't the first time a TV character has inspired a craft beer; Breaking Bad's Walter White inspired Marble Brewery in Albuquerque to create Heisenberg's Dark India Black Ale and Walt's White Lie, an India White Ale.

Chief Hopper by Short's Brewing Company is the perfect beer to enjoy after a long day. Its strong flavour and high alcohol content make it a satisfying drink. The name is a playful reference to Hopper's no-nonsense attitude and his dedication to setting things right in the upside-down world of Stranger Things.

The release of Chief Hopper celebrates the character's appeal and the show's popularity. It offers fans a unique way to connect with the series and invites them to imagine sharing a drink with the beloved sheriff. Chief Hopper is exclusively available in Michigan, but for those elsewhere seeking a similar experience, there are alternative options. Irish microbreweries offer quality double IPAs, such as Double Irish DIPA by Cork brewers 8 Degrees and Are You Not Entertained, a New England DIPA by Wexford's YellowBelly.

Chief Hopper, the double IPA inspired by Stranger Things' beloved sheriff, is a testament to the show's impact on popular culture. It invites fans to immerse themselves in the world of Hawkins, Indiana, and share a virtual drink with Chief Hopper himself. The beer's strong flavour and high alcohol content reflect the character's tough yet endearing personality, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a satisfying and robust drinking experience.

Secret Hopper: a company that pays people to drink beer

Secret Hopper is a company that sends undercover customers, or "mystery shoppers", to breweries to provide feedback on their experiences. The company was founded by Andrew Coplon, who has 17 years of experience in creating customer experiences through his foodservice business that oversees concessions operations at stadiums and arenas across the United States. Coplon's goal with Secret Hopper is to bring the secret shopper model, commonly used in retail and restaurants, to the craft beer industry.

Secret Hopper has over 200 brewery and brewpub clients, including some in the D.C. area, and continues to grow. The company is always looking for new "Secret Hoppers" to join its team of mystery shoppers. These individuals are selected based on their demographics, such as age, gender, and level of beer drinker, as well as their ability to pay attention to detail and share their experiences.

To become a Secret Hopper, individuals can fill out a simple form on the company's website, which asks about their age, gender, and general beer knowledge. If selected, Secret Hopper will send them on assignments to breweries in their area, where they will be asked to order beers and rate their experience. The company typically compensates its mystery shoppers for at least the price of the beers, plus a little extra, which usually amounts to around $20 to $30 per brewery visit.

While Secret Hopper won't make individuals rich, it provides a great opportunity for beer lovers to drink and review free beer while helping breweries improve their customer experience.

Hopper: a Belgian craft beer with a rich history

Hopper, the Belgian craft beer, has a rich history that dates back to the 15th century. The beer was originally brewed and distributed by the Brabant monks in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant to raise funds to support the local monastery and its community programs. The province is known for its distinctive type of hop plants, which have a unique taste and aroma found nowhere else in Europe, giving the beer its name.

Hopper is currently brewed by the 124-year-old brewery Brouwerij De Brabandere, located in the idyllic village of Bavikhove in Belgium. Founded in 1894 by beer enthusiast Adolphe De Brabandere and his son, Jozef, the original brewery was only slightly larger than a brewing hall. Since then, the brewery has expanded several times and is now one of the largest family-run production breweries in the country, spanning 60,000 square feet.

The brewery has persevered through hardships such as suspending operations during World War I and incurring additional costs for repairs. Despite the challenges, the family-run brewery has continued its dedication to brewing, with five generations of brewers from the Bradandere family preserving traditional recipes and signature yeast strains. Their expertise encompasses a range of beer styles, from world-class pilsners to complex, sophisticated sour beers.

Hopper, an authentic Belgian craft beer, is a product of this rich history and brewing expertise. It is a revival of the sacred Trappist beer-brewing recipe from the monks of Brabant. Made from fresh Belgian spring water, the best quality wheat, and a handpicked selection of aromatic hops, Hopper offers a light sweetness that is often missing in Indian beers. The 4.3% Belgian Blonde lager masks the bitterness of noble Saz hops, making it easy to drink and pair with food. Meanwhile, the 4.9% ABV Wit variety has delicate notes of citrus and coriander, making it a refreshing choice.

The packaging design of Hopper also reflects its heritage, with geometric shapes and contemporary typeface that subtly allude to traditional Gothic architecture found in European monasteries. Overall, Hopper is a testament to Belgium's unparalleled brewing expertise, showcasing the art of beer-making that deserves to be appreciated.

Secret Hopper: a mystery shopping service for breweries

Secret Hopper is a mystery shopping service for breweries, which invites beer lovers to provide feedback on their experience at a particular brewery. The company was founded by Andrew Coplon, who, alongside his wife, has a lot of experience in customer service. Coplon's aim is to help breweries improve their customer experience and, ultimately, increase their sales.

The company is based in Norfolk, Virginia, and has over 200 brewery and brewpub clients, including some in the D.C. area. Secret Hopper is not a way to make money, but mystery shoppers do get paid $20 per brewery visit, which is enough to cover a flight or two of beer. The company is looking for shoppers who can pay attention to detail and provide honest, first-hand feedback about their experience at the establishment. This includes their first thoughts upon arriving, feedback on the atmosphere, and detailed accounts of the customer service they received.

To become a Secret Hopper, you need to fill out a simple form on their website, which asks about your age, gender, and general beer knowledge. The company selects its secret shoppers according to demographics and is looking for people who can tell a true story about their experience. Once you are signed up, you will be contacted via email with potential assignments in your area. After completing a visit, you will need to fill out a questionnaire and submit a photo of your receipt to get reimbursed.

Secret Hopper provides a great opportunity for beer enthusiasts to try new beers for free and help breweries improve their business. It is important to note that the focus of the mystery shopping is on the experience at the brewery rather than the beer itself.

Secret Hopper: improving the customer experience at breweries

Secret Hopper is a service that provides mystery shoppers, or "secret hoppers", to breweries to give feedback on their experience. The company was founded by Andrew Coplon, who, alongside his wife, has a lot of experience in customer service. The idea for the company came about when Coplon sent his wife a text that read: "Let's start a company called Secret Hopper. We'll send mystery shoppers into breweries to provide feedback on the customer experience."

The company has worked with over 140 breweries, including some in the Brewers Association Top 50, and has a network of over 1000 qualified secret hoppers. Secret Hopper's clients include more than 200 brewery and brewpub clients, and breweries that have worked with the company have seen a 20% increase in guest spending when staff are able to enhance the guest's experience.

Secret Hopper is not looking for beer reviews. Brewers already get plenty of feedback on their beers from their customers. Instead, Secret Hopper wants attention to detail, from cleanliness to atmosphere to customer service. For example, Secret Hopper found that when a guest receives a low level of engagement at a brewery, only 37% are likely to return or recommend it. However, with high engagement, 98% are likely to return and recommend it.

To become a Secret Hopper, individuals must fill out a form with their age, gender, and general beer knowledge. Secret Hopper selects its secret hoppers according to demographics and looks for people who can tell a true story about their experience, not just individuals looking to enjoy a couple of drinks. The standard pay for a Secret Hopper is $20, which covers the cost of a flight and a pint.

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