Having the flavor or aroma of hops (a plant used in brewing beer), or characterized by hopping movements.
From 'hop' (the plant Humulus lupulus used in beer-making, from Dutch 'hoppe') plus English adjective suffix '-y'. Hops have been used in brewing since medieval times.
Hops don't actually make beer taste bitter—they balance out the sweetness of the malt and add aroma, which is why IPAs (India Pale Ales) became hoppy as a way to preserve beer during long sea voyages.
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