Hop Bomber Pale Ale - Rivertown Brewing Co.

rembrant

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +18.8%
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 +26.1%
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 +5.8%
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 +8.1%
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 +10.1%
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 +44.9%
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 -0.6%
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 +2.3%
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

BeerAndBourbon

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A. Pours a golden amber with a thick billowing tan head that makes it's way down the glass very slowly leaving some residual lacing.

S. Smells of caramel malt sweetness with a mild citrusly hop aroma.

T. Piney hops upfront and throughout. The sweet malt helps balance out the flavor at first, but then the hops come in and dominate especially in the swallow.

M. Thin to medium bodied with a fairly high level of smooth carbonation.

D. Although it's rather one dimensional (not unlike many pale ales), it's light and crisp and refreshing.

Definitely good enough to continue to support this small local brewer.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2010 01:46:42 | More by BeerAndBourbon

alpinebryant

Connecticut

3.1/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour is almost a brown ale color. Dark copper with a large fluffy tan head.

Smell of caramel and malt. Taste of mainly roasted malts , Caramel and brown malt flavors. Pretty dry and malty, almost an English Pale in terms of hop flavor and aromas. A change of pace for a Pale Ale. Its not quite pale and its not quite as hoppy as I imagined with a name of Hop Bomber.

Medium carbonation and a relatively thick mouthfeel for a pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 00:06:45 | More by alpinebryant

bevenson

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A - Deep copper and clear. Fluffy white head that quickly falls, but leaves a white ring on the edge of the glass to the end.

S - Spicy, floral and herbal hop aromas, wiith a little spiciness from the rye. Light caramel malt to balance out the hops.

T - The taste definitely tells you this is a unique twist on the American Pale Ale. The rye and the hops give a firm spiciness and herbal flavor that reminds me of a German Pilsner. But then there's the caramel malt and light ale yeast flavor that reminds me this is an American Pale Ale. Bitterness lingers long after imbibing.

M - Medium to light body and bone dry. Very crisp and clean, which is what I look for in an APA.

D - A very clean, easy drinking APA. Definitely a beer that I could drink throughout the night.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2010 02:22:43 | More by bevenson

beerman207

Kentucky

3.13/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Clear reddish color that has a nice white head that sticks around a little while.

S - Definitely could be better here. Can't really pick much up other than malt and some faint hops.

T - Some rye and some bitterness that isn't strong enough in my opinion.

M: Decent but nothing special

D: Can't say I'd try this one again. However, being a Cincinnati brew, I had to try it.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2010 16:25:40 | More by beerman207

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

thanks to bamadog!

pours a rich bright copper with hints of ruby. light fizzy cream colored head, retains well.

sweet malts up front. light citrus with hints of tangerine.

lots of vibrant bitterness in many levels. the rye adds a nice crisp bitterness in the backbone. light pine with citrus hints complete the hop bitterness. a bit of an earthy hop flavor. well balanced all around as they both compliment each other. nothing was too overpowering and full of flavor.

moderate carbonation that stings the gums a bit. full bodied. very crisp.

this was one easy drinking APA. lots of fun flavor and never dull. i would happily drink this more often if i had the chance.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2010 01:55:52 | More by hooliganlife

ltjska04

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass, this beer was a clear amber with an inch of creamy, foamy head. The smell was of citrusy hops but also a little cheesiness which might mean older hops were used but I'm not sure of this. The taste is a pretty good balance of malt and hops with a slight bitterness. Don't mistake this for an IPA, the hops are not very strong for an American style. The drinkability and mouthfeel were both good and made me wish I had another. There's not a whole lot to make this stand out amongst the many APA's out there but it's a good solid beer from a new brewery that I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2010 16:55:32 | More by ltjska04

nlmartin

Ohio

3.55/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer was served chilled in an Imperial Pint glass.

Appearance: The body of the beer is a clear amber. The head is a nice pillowy off biege coloration. Great head retention with lots of residual sticking to my glass. They say we eat with our eyes. Very often I drink with my eyes. This beer looks tasty. Very nice!

Smell: I am not blown away with the aroma. Nor I am offended by the aroma. The beer kicks up a flash of pine and just a very light citrus aroma. The malt splashes up and brings an interesting maple syrup / caramel aroma.

Taste: The hops seem to lead with citrus. Then the malt steps in with caramel / vanilla sort of flavor. The hops at this point reassert themselves and finish with a nice bittering finish.

Mouthfeel / Drinkability: The body is medium carbonation levels work well with the beer. This is a nice throw back pale ale. Not super aggresive but not in the least boring. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2010 22:38:35 | More by nlmartin

mwa423

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Same clear ruby color as the nitro-tap, but the bottle has a much better white head that stuck to the glass and also had better retention.

S - Not a lot of aroma, but a well balanced malt and hop profile.

T - Spiced rye flavor forward with slight floral and plenty of steely bittering hops in the aftertaste.

M/D - Mouthfeel is nothing special, the steely hop bite takes a bit away. However this is a solid pale ale for a beer drinker who doesn't mind a very bitter beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2010 00:32:14 | More by mwa423

Beejay

Virginia

3.65/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Copper red, with a nice tan head.. a good bit of floaties in there as well. Little dark for the style..

S: Sweet carmel, and maple undertones. Slight hop scent from in the finish, but mostly a very sweet scent. The hops that are there are earthy.. Surprised there isn't more hop scent.

T: There are the hops.. Grapefruit, and citrus (tangerine) with a nice burnt carmel flavor in the finish. Fruity hops (tropical) with good balance of malt.

M: Medium body, with decent carbonation.

D: Good, well balanced, not amazing, but nice. A good balance of malt and hops, with a nice clean finish.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2010 04:46:54 | More by Beejay

pwoods

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

6er purchased at Vonderhaar's in Reading. Poured into an imperial pint.

A: Pours a dark amber with pretty good clarity. Maybe a half inch of head on the pour with little retention and decent spotty lacing.

S: The description on their website says it's dry hopped but I'm not really getting much hop aroma. Some light malts. Hardly any aroma.

T/M: Decent bitterness level. Some light citrus, maybe some pine. Malts definitely balance and the light rye adds a nice complexity with the touch of spiciness. Body is about medium with a good carbonation level. Some dryness on the finish.

D: Drinks easily enough and the touch of rye keeps it interesting. Might be a bit overbalanced to the malt side but that's probably just me wanting a super hopped IPA whenever I drink an APA.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 04:29:58 | More by pwoods