Hop Bomber Pale Ale - Rivertown Brewing Co.

vanillacokaine

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev +1.4%

12-29-2012 07:05:51 | More by vanillacokaine

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +1.4%

05-16-2013 00:30:01 | More by hollywood_15063

ziggyzoggy

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +23.2%

05-15-2013 00:28:13 | More by ziggyzoggy

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -27.5%

05-09-2013 02:06:43 | More by tommyguz

cmoses

Ohio

4/5  rDev +15.9%

04-23-2013 15:16:40 | More by cmoses

ItsBeer4Me

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -13%

04-22-2013 23:39:01 | More by ItsBeer4Me

derwood294

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +23.2%

04-04-2013 01:34:48 | More by derwood294

JoeLacy

Ohio

4/5  rDev +15.9%

03-01-2013 04:00:21 | More by JoeLacy

Bill235

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -5.8%

02-27-2013 20:17:50 | More by Bill235

JagerBombAFJ

Ohio

2/5  rDev -42%

02-27-2013 20:17:03 | More by JagerBombAFJ

Nutwood

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -5.8%

02-14-2013 21:34:06 | More by Nutwood

bjmh

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Maybe my palate lacks the sophistication of some of the other reviewers, but I really like this beer! It is plenty hoppy with an ibu of about 50, and the complex malt comes through to give it a great balance. The rye really comes thru for me, and I find it a very enjoyable, drinkable beer. It may not be typical of the style, but taste is what I base my judgement on. I have tried four other beers from this brewer, but the Hop Bomber is my favorite. The brewery is about 5 miles from my home.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 23:46:00 | More by bjmh

RedneckBeerz

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev +1.4%

02-03-2013 00:15:56 | More by RedneckBeerz

crytion

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +8.7%

01-29-2013 11:56:03 | More by crytion

tdog2983

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +23.2%

01-26-2013 18:38:45 | More by tdog2983

Kahmal

Ohio

4/5  rDev +15.9%

01-21-2013 23:41:56 | More by Kahmal

Jaybirdsbeer

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +1.4%

01-21-2013 14:53:38 | More by Jaybirdsbeer

beergoot

Colorado

3.66/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer poured a nice honey-amber colored body with a thin white head. Strong caramel malt aroma infused with a bit of fruity esters. Gentle caramel malt flavor with a very subtle apple-like fruitiness; a decent sharp bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium-light; smooth; crisp and semi-dry.

A good enough APA offering that doesn't break away with any distinctive qualities, but it's definitely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 01:09:28 | More by beergoot

TaylorK

West Virginia

4/5  rDev +15.9%

01-14-2013 20:30:38 | More by TaylorK

TequilaTom

Ohio

4/5  rDev +15.9%

01-11-2013 02:43:53 | More by TequilaTom

savageweaver

2.75/5  rDev -20.3%

01-07-2013 00:37:51 | More by savageweaver

Lukass

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +23.2%

01-05-2013 13:53:23 | More by Lukass

Stevedore

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -5.8%

01-02-2013 03:06:25 | More by Stevedore

jminch

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +8.7%

12-30-2012 13:27:56 | More by jminch

Groomsy

Kentucky

3.63/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.

The body is darker than I expected for an APA. A dark bronze/orange color, a head of tight-knit white bubbles forms in the glass and come to a height of about two finger before dissipating to a cap of foam. Strings and webs of lacing spiral down the glass. A nice looking brew.

Unorthodox for an APA - that's what springs to mind as I smell this beer. I've had several bottles of this and all have had the same symptom: A case of remarkably un-hoppy smells for a traditionally hoppy beer. While not a bad thing, I generally expect a nose full of citrus and pine with this style. The citrus smell from the hops (think orange peel, maybe some grapefruit) take a backseat to fruity/ester-like smells (yeast?) balanced by toasty caramel and fresh grain.

However, the nose slightly betrays the flavor profile. While a very malt-forward example of the style, the hops still play a role. On the front of the palate, flavors of caramel and bread dominate, followed by a flash of fruity sweetness. The hops really come in on the finish: A wave of grassy, citrus, and pine flavors mingle on the back of the tongue and leave a long lingering finish. The balance is admirable, but I feel that the name of the beer is a misnomer.

The body of the beer, medium in weight (fairly light for the style, I'd say) goes down dry and accents the bitterness in the finish, which, unfortunately, is a little too astringent for my liking and hangs around too long. Usually with this style, the bitterness comes at the beginning, so having the reverse of that is quite a surprise. Carbonation prickles the tongue without being overwhelming.

While somewhat misleading in title, this beer is still solid. It's a sessionable ale, but don't expect a "traditional" APA here - I would say this is closer to an English-style pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 00:51:02 | More by Groomsy