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I built HopLog because I wanted a simple answer to a simple question: “I liked this beer, I want to remember it.” After years of using Untappd to log what I drank, I found that the ads, social pressure around check-ins, and growing list of features made that personal task feel less straightforward to me. HopLog is my attempt at a calmer, journal-first alternative—not a claim that everyone needs a different beer app.
Why I wanted a beer journal, not another social feed
I used Untappd for years to keep track of beers. Over time, my own experience of using it shifted: I noticed more ads in the feed, felt pressure to make a check-in social, and found that added features made the basic job feel more cumbersome than I wanted. Those are my reasons for building something else, not objective findings about how every person experiences Untappd.
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The task I wanted to preserve was modest: record a beer, note whether I liked it, and be able to remember it later. I wanted the app to help me recall a good stout or avoid buying a beer I already knew was not for me, without making every drink an occasion to post.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat I set out to build with HopLog
I thought of the idea as “Letterboxd, but for beer”: a clean, fast personal journal first, with social features second. The intended focus was logging drinks, remembering preferences, and discovering beers, without ads or a surplus of features competing for attention.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
I described HopLog as free and ad-free for its core logging experience. Those are the product terms I stated when writing about the project; availability and terms can change, and I have not independently verified its current status here.
How I approached the build
I started with a requirements document, user personas and stories, wireframes, database and API design, and a milestone roadmap. My account of the build breaks the work into six milestones:
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Authentication: create the account and sign-in foundation.
- Beer and brewery data: establish the catalog people would log against.
- Tasting logs: make it possible to record a drink and a personal reaction.
- Profiles, statistics, and badges: add ways to view activity and progress.
- Feeds and follows: introduce social features after the journal foundation.
- Search polish and operational basics: refine finding items and add measures such as rate limiting and error monitoring.
That sequence reflects how I described the project, not an independently audited account of the implementation. The visual direction I chose was a “taproom chalkboard”: deep malt-brown, amber accents, a serif display font, and clean body text. I wanted the interface to feel warm and focused without sacrificing readability.
How HopLog differs from Untappd—and what that comparison means
Untappd’s own materials describe a broader product than a private beer notebook. Its help article explains that a check-in can include a photo, tasting notes, a rating, serving style, friends, location, and flavor profiles. Its product page also describes a drink journal, ratings, discovery, badges, recommendations, nearby places, venue menus, and local events. Its help index documents topics including custom lists, beer and brewery additions, Find It, notifications, beer history, and friend management.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
That breadth can be valuable if you want to share check-ins, explore recommendations, or find beers and venues. My criticism is personal: I wanted less social and feature overhead for the job I was trying to do. Untappd’s documented features do not prove that everyone finds it cumbersome, or that ads are the reason any other user might look elsewhere.
My goal was a different emphasis, not a feature-for-feature contest. HopLog was designed around the personal record; Untappd documents social check-ins and a wider discovery and venue layer. A more focused interface alone does not make HopLog better for every beer drinker.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The hard limitation: a much smaller beer catalog
HopLog’s database is small, seeded from public brewery data and user contributions. Untappd has a substantial head start in crowdsourced beer, brewery, and review data. That gap matters in practice: if a beer is missing, a tidy journal cannot make it easy to log, and a small catalog limits how much discovery a service can offer.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →I am not pretending HopLog will dethrone Untappd. The ambition is to serve a devoted niche of people who want a calmer interface, not to match the catalog or network effects of a long-established service. Untappd’s history gives it advantages that product focus alone cannot erase.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Can you export Untappd history to HopLog?
Untappd’s official export instructions say that an Insider can request beer history in JSON or CSV from the web account. That establishes an export option for Insider subscribers; it does not establish that HopLog can import either file format. If you are considering a switch, do not assume your history will transfer unless HopLog’s current documentation explicitly confirms import support.
What I can—and cannot—claim about HopLog now
When I wrote about the project, I said HopLog was live, free, and ad-free for core logging. These are my claims from that account, not a current independent check of availability, pricing, or terms. There is no independently published statistic here that quantifies the frustration behind my decision; the case for building HopLog is rooted in my own experience and the product tradeoffs I chose to address.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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