Hop Bomber Pale Ale - Rivertown Brewing Co.

AleWatcher

Illinois

2.48/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Hop bomber, eh? Sweet...
Hmmm... So where are the hops? I smell some hop activity... And there is a larger bitterness present... So they used the whole hop bill on bittering and aromatic, eh? Ok. That's gonna hurt the score a hair:

Looks ambery orange in color with an off-white head of 3 fingers. Decent retention, but no lace.
Smells of bitter hops, perhaps a citrus and floral profile.
Taste is pretty bland except for the bitterness, and that is no exaggeration. I wish I were able to pick up more here, but I get virtually no malts and only pungent and abrasive bitterness from the hops.
The body is very carbonated and that leads to it feeling thinner than it is (and should be).

Overall-- meh. This isn't bad, but I love too many other Pale Ales to ever drink this one again. It isn't terrible, by life's too short for mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 02:04:44 | More by AleWatcher

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Rivertown Hop Bomber

Pours a clear copper with a very nice foam cap and some lace. Aroma is faint, floral hops and a sugary sweet malt. In the flavor, green apple, caramel, near cloying sweetness and a flash of citrus hops in the background. Mouthfeel is decent, semi dry light to medium bodied feel and almost crisp. Overall, I hope my bottle was an older sample, because there was little to no hop presence for a beer touting the name "hop bomber".

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 03:52:09 | More by Stinkypuss

secondtooth

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This attractive pale ale pours a clean amber in my glass, with a thick head of bone-white foam. Decent spoke-style lacing.

Olfactory-pleasing, with touches of pine and orange.

The taste is mild, but distinctive and full of character. I get some citrus hops notes up front, with mostly orange peel, followed up with a malty backbone that smoothes out the hops and suppresses the bitterness. This one's a sturdy, well-balanced, and very enjoyable ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 06:48:01 | More by secondtooth

aasher

Indiana

1.35/5  rDev -60.6%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

This beer pours a nice vibrant copper in color with a one finger cream colored head. It smells of rancid butter mixed with three day old sweaty gym socks. I haven't smelled something like this since the White Birch Wild. It smells like a drainpour. The flavor is bitter and again of rancid butter. It's pretty awful. A couple sips of this and I'm done. It drinks sticky and dry and leaves that godforsaken after taste behind. This one is pretty bad. I assume they didn't intend on it tasting like a combination of buttery syrup and BO.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 21:14:15 | More by aasher

Brent

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A moderately aggressive pour resulted in a disproportionate gigantic, merangue-like head that filled 3/4 of the glass to overflowing. By the time I got the beer to settle down enough to sample, it was running low on carbonation. Well hopped, but no hop bomb by any means. Hopping was a bit rough around the edges with some raw notes.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 18:26:06 | More by Brent

nrbw23

Ohio

4/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one tap when I was drug down to Mileston 229.

A- Pours a rich clear amber color with a nice foamy off white head. Head has some good retention and leaves some layered lacing.

S- Smell is quite a bit like rye. A strong pine hops as well, along with quite a bit of tropical fruits.

T- A very nice balance between the malts and hops. A bit of a really nice spicy notes to it. Pine and tropical fruits make themselves known for sure.

M- Lighter side of medium in body and good carbonation.

O- Not too bad by any means. I could drink this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2011 08:43:52 | More by nrbw23

jkrich

Indiana

3.95/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. undated bottle with a fine picture of a World War II bomber on the label - hence the name hop bomber. The ale itself is no "hop-bomb". This was a visually pleasing pour: slightly deep golden to copper color with a foamy white-head that refuses to subside.

The aroma is clean and slightly resinous with a noticeable syrup aroma that dissipates after the pour.

The flavor has a nice complement of crisp, bitterness and rye. The label mentions rye, and it surely comes through. A faint sourness lingers and then disappears leaving some lingering malt on the tongue.

The carbonation level is too high and hinders the overall drinking experience. The body is about medium with a pleasing bittersweet mouthfeel.

Overall, this is quite enjoyable and refreshing; a different interpretation on the American pale ale style.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 22:56:31 | More by jkrich

phiberoptik

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Local brewery time... I had to give it a review.

Poured 12oz bottle into a standard pint glass. This pours a very clear copper/amber color with a two finger white foamy head. The head seems to hang around a bit too but not much in the line of lacing.

This doesnt smell or taste like an ale. It actually reminds me of Sam Adams lager more than a hop front ale. It smells slightly musty and not any clear hop character, despite its name. Tastes of spice, malts, and some bitterness with very little hoppiness otherwise.

Feels pretty clean and nicely carbonated.

I want this to be good, being from Cincinnati but I am not a fan. Maybe I got a bad batch... something tastes off. I will update this review if I try it again and notice a difference.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 22:33:24 | More by phiberoptik

TurdFurgison

Ohio

2.6/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I purchased a single at a Kroger store in Dublin, $1.50. It pours a dark copper color, very clear, with about one finger of nearly white foam. It smells bitter, nothing flavorful in the aroma from the hops, just bitterness and toasted malts. And same in the taste, I'm sorta disappointed with the flavor as it's billed as "Hop Bomber". No hops flavors except a somewhat unpleasant bitterness.

Not recommended, too many good choices out there to ever drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 22:34:37 | More by TurdFurgison

Natural510

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +23%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, no dating. Sells at my local Kroger supermarket.

Pours a classic copper color with ample cloud of white foam which resembles melted ice cream.

Spicy, fruity scent of malt and hop mixture. A bit tea-like overall.

Flavor is well-balanced between a spicy, dry hop and fruity, understated malts. Notes of tea-leaf, cherry and forest-pine meld into a dry, bitter finish.

Well-rounded in body and mouthfeel, exactly what I expect in the style.

Excellent, easy-drinking beer. This could be the prototype of what an American Pale should be: balanced, dry, bitter, and well-rounded in flavor. Proof not every pale ale has to be an "India" to be exciting.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 15:54:25 | More by Natural510

zimm421

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a standard pint glass at Bodega on 6/8/11. Appears copper with a thin white head and some slight lacing left after each sip.

The aroma is subdued, with a tiny amount of sweet malts and citrus notes. The taste is more powerful with earthy and floral notes as well as some nice spicy rye malts, but still nothing that flows really well or that makes you think about each sip.

Medium bodied and carbonation, something that goes down fairly easily even without it being great tasting. Overall, this is a decent APA, but not overly impressed. The aroma was so faint and the appearance was just a little off as well. The taste was definitely the best part, but overall there are much better options for local APA's.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 20:36:13 | More by zimm421

hosehead83

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a "stubby" 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass. Clear, copper/gold in color, with a nice head of frothy, off-white foam.
Aroma-Biscuit, toasted malt
Taste-Toasted malt, bread, earthy hop note and hop-leaf flavor add balance. Nice and quaffable. A nice match for burgers or dogs off the grill.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 16:43:23 | More by hosehead83

GoRedlegs

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle to a pub glass.

A: Dark honey color with an off white thin head. Mild lace.

S: Smooth malt overtones. Simple.

T: Creamy and straight forward ale with a quick finish. Warming aftertaste.

M: Slim and quick to wash away.

O: A nice example of an american ale made in my home town area of lovely Cincinnati. A pleasing offering with great drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 22:03:49 | More by GoRedlegs

brown2cu

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a nice amber color, it was definitely one of the darkest pale ales I have had. The head was nonexistent after a minute of pouring and there was no lacing to speak of

S: Hops are relatively mute the rye stands out the most.

T: Not too bad. The hops are more affirmative in the taste but the rye makes a serious contribution. It doesn't taste similar to most pale ales infact in a blind taste test I would probably assert that it was a rye ale. It is definitely interesting though and worth a try.

M: softer carbonation than I was expecting. It was also dryer than I was expecting, it suited the beer nicely though.

O: Not bad definitely worth a try. A most non-traditional pale ale.

Edit: From my notes after finishing the 6 pack: taste needed reevaluated wasn't at the 4 level after some consideration.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 04:59:47 | More by brown2cu

GregBlatz

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Alright, a local beer. Never heard of Rivertown Brewing Co. so let's give it a shot.

A - Copper amber in color. Head is white and lightly fluffy. Recedes to 1/2" and stays there. Very clear beer.

S - Very estery right up front. Malt sweetness and hops.

T - Malts are very nice. Rye stands out with that puckering dryness. Very strong hop bitterness. Not a lot of hop aroma or flavor. What hop flavor is there is of an earthy variety rather than citrus or pine. This is more of a Rye Bomber than a Hop Bomber in my opinion.

M - Carbonation is medium to med high. Body is somewhat thin.

Overall - a very nice Pale ale. I like it, but was expecting more hop flavor. I'm assuming that this is an American pale ale. The rye and american dry hopping indicates this, but the label also mentions English malts.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 18:30:39 | More by GregBlatz

projectflam86

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours an amber orange color with a thick white foam head that leaves some decent lacing.

S- I'm picking up alot of floral hops and caramel malt. Maybe a touch of spice? Hard to place the exact aroma...

T- Not overly hoppy but a decent bitterness upfront. A bit more sweetness than some of the more common APAs (SNPA) but a nice caramel finish. A touch of rye-like sourness is noticeable as well but it incorporates well into the flavor profile. I'd guess the ABV at around 5.3% or so.

M- Medium/light bodied with decent carbonation.

D- Overall I thought this beer was very solid. Easy to drink and flavorful. Nice to see some hometown boys making good beer! Cheers

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2011 22:24:46 | More by projectflam86

PDXHops

South Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Ryan011235 for this 12 ounce bottle, poured into a Duvel tulip. See-thru singed amber with a promising off-white head that dies down to a skim in short order. Good retention from that, though, and scattered creamy patches of lacing are left.

Smells citrusy but not juicy. Almost a little spicy, like orange marmalade on rye bread. Sounds weird, but it works well enough.

Robustly malty without a lot of sweetness; more toasty than anything. The rye works quite well with the malt profile, expressive without being oppressive. Could perhaps use a touch more of the orange zest hops. Gets a little cedarish toward the finish.

Overall impression: A unique and enjoyable take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 00:59:53 | More by PDXHops

rembrant

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looks--Interesting...had my first Hopslam an hour ago and this looks the same,deep orange,a bit hazy,almost no head,just enough tan top to cover.

Aroma Definitely more caramel malt tilt than Hopslam,though there's a lighter but similar fruit salad nose with both grapefruit and pineapple. Kind of interesting I followed Hopslam with this,and get that same hop mix with the pineapple. Maybe Hopslam inspired Hopbomber?

Taste NOT Hopslam but closer to a hop-malt balance without the Big IPA zing...however...this is also half the $. I had some last summer and wasn't getting analytical with it.. The German beer traditions in Cinci slip in as the yeast and grain (including some rye) have a play in the mid sip. The caramel and light toasted malts lead,the hops finish with good flavor if not "Hop Bomb" intensity. Overall I rather like the balance and flavors here.

Mouthfeel A bit of sticky caramel, the rye's boost,some hop oil give a good texture. Good finish and aftertaste

Drinkability Around here,easy to find and a good price. It's no big drama but the flavors are full and balanced and it's a pale that's not as pale or light as most,which I like.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 11:45:48 | More by rembrant

gmfessen

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass, Hop Bomber is a clear, copper-amber head with a thick, soapy hop head. The nose is what you might expect from a beer named hop bomber; a nice west-coast dose of citrus and resinous hops. The taste reflects the same hop flavor as the nose but there is a subtle toasty malt backbone that adds to the flavor nicely. The hop flavor is present and apparent but the bitterness level is relatively low which makes it better balanced and that much more drinkable. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a thin but bubbly head. Overall, a very drinkable beer and another well done example from Rivertown.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 02:48:38 | More by gmfessen

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - orangy amber, lots of tiny particulate in suspension. Two big fingers of foam, had to pause the pour and wait for some settling. An airy, cakey head of light mocha leaves craggy trails of lace around the glass as it recedes.

Aroma - pleasant citrus and caramel grain. Even, not overbearing.

Taste - light caramel toasted edge to the grain, some earthy grassiness as well. Very fruity citrus angle to the hops. More of a bitter edge on the swallow, pushing a little medicinal. Dry, a little prickly on the aftertaste and finish, with a lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel - I like the smoothness, it gives the beer a bit of creaminess. Moderate to lower carbonation, fairly weighty for a pale ale.

Drinkability - I had no problem dispatching this sixer of Rivertown.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2010 03:40:04 | More by brewdlyhooked13

jrallen34

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass...Pours very dark for a pale ale, a dirty, medium copper with a light tan head, good retention here...Aroma is super light, only light hops come through...The taste is also pretty light, bready backbone, spicey, with some hops coming through, not enough to get me excited. This doesn't taste bad, just doesn't have a ton of flavor. Full bodied, but one bottle is more than enough to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2010 03:15:17 | More by jrallen34

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass on 7/27/10

Darker shade of burnt amber; tobacco hues, as well. Two fingers of billowy foam. It appears to be holding well, though - after a few minutes it's around 50%. Thin retention throughout; alright lacing. I noticed a few clumps of sediment when I took the last drink.

The aroma is rather subtle. Solid malt presence of toasted rye bread. Seems fairly dry, though. Sharp yet restrained hop aromas. Pine & lemon zest; maybe a hint of orange peel. Right after the pour it had a soapy smell, though it has since subsided.

Between the hops & rye malt, there's a nice spiciness upfront. Piney bitterness & zesty citric notes are well seated with the malt backdrop. Pretty even balance. Quite dry, which accentuates the bitterness. Rye certainly seems to be the predominant malt; possibly some pale malts, also.

More or less medium body, possibly slightly fuller of body, at least for the style. Appropriate carbonation adds just enough agitation. My only complaint is the finish, which is messy & at times seems almost waxy. Weird...

Hop Bomber may be somewhat unconventional for the style but it's enjoyable regardless. It's interesting enough that I'm looking forward to trying some of their other beers. I'm glad to see more beers coming out of Cincinnati.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 21:08:53 | More by Ryan011235

agleas1

Ohio

5/5  rDev +45.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The most well balanced Pale I've ever had! It seems like the go to answer for most micro brewmasters is just to hop, re-hop and hop again to mask the inequities. These guys, while at a nice IBU level, don't knock off your nose or tounge with flowers. They simply wow you with their quality!

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2010 16:16:05 | More by agleas1

Bierguy5

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle. Dark copper color, with an off white head. Great head retention. Lots of sticky patches of lace. A little sediment floating about. Not a bad looker.

Aroma is very slight. Hard to imagine this is dry hopped. Slightly spicy hop aroma. A few fruity notes. Bready, almost biscuity malt character.

A fair amount of bready malt. Spicy rye character. Some earthy flavors. Good amount of bitterness.

Lighter side of medium body. Carbonation is good. Alcohol well hidden. Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2010 19:48:09 | More by Bierguy5

tmoneyba

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a clear dark copper color with an average frothy white head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate citrus hops and earthy malt aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture and soft carbonation. Medium bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration. I would recommend this to a freind.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2010 02:04:21 | More by tmoneyba