Black Oak Hop Bomb

Cloudy , murky amber , small head on top . Sweet , citric , fruity aroma . Pleasant hop character . Soft but filling nice aroma . Natural low carbonation, mildly bitter, mint notes and grapefruit. Soft bitter finish, with gently hop sting.

Cask - At Volo, then again at BeerBistro 2005 GTA Golden Tap Awards. Poured a bright, slightly oily looking murky orange-gold with a plentiful creamy eggshell head and decent lacing. There were a few bright white bright spots in the head, but no visible floaties. Aroma started with medium fresh hops, fresh-squeezed grapefruit / wine grape juice, some slight sourish grain and muted sweet malt. Very wheaty, and as it warmed the hops opened up big time and muscled the non-citrus notes aside completely. Flavour started with a medly of fresh, green, strong hops, wheaty grain, some medium sweet brown sugary malt but in the catbird’s seat was that powerful lemon/grapefruit/grape citrusy juiciness, keeping the rambunctous hops long-leashed. Mouthfeel is incredibly lively - acidic, salty, creamy - quite a ride. It finishes long, citrusy and memorably fresh hoppy - even a hint of banana at the end of my glass! In the final analysis still not my cup of, uh, tea, but I’ve never enjoyed a beer this hoppy this much.

Cask Days 2007. Hop Bomb S.T.F.U Edition with SEVEN doses of hops compared to the Hop Bomb’s TWO. Hazy pastel orange/yellow with a small white head. (3+) Interesting tropical fruit notes to the hoppy aroma. Hoppy flavour is a bit strange with similar citrus, straw/grain notes, tropical fruit hints. Average to medium palate is perhaps aided by suspended yeast. (3+) Intriguing in small quantities, becomes a bit much after a while. This is nitpicky, but these should either be separate or just listed under the Black Oak Pale Ale based on the no dry-hopped beers rule. 7/4/7/3/14 - 3.5 <P>Beer Bistro, Golden Tap Awards 2005. Hop Bomb. Hazy golden yellow, moderate white head. Green leafy hops in the aroma. Palate is quite green, lingers in the aftertaste. Moderate - medium bitterness is pleasant throughout. Surprisingly well balanced despite fairly intense hoppiness. Thin but cask appropriate. Quite nice, and deserving of "Best of Fest" award. 7/3/7/3/16 - 3.6 8/22/2005

This is the casked version of the pale and it is very good, not to be missed, called Hop Bomb. Thanks to Jamie of Irish Major for pointing me to the secret cask at Fort York Beer fest 2004. (Bottled) Apparently Jercraigs had a big impact on this first version. An edgy bitter with medium mouthfeel, not exceptional but very drinkable with food. A very good casked ale.

Cask at 2005 Golden Tap Awards at BeerBistro. This is my 200th rating and it’s for a beer that deservedly won "Best Beer of the Festival" at the aforementioned awards. Pours a hazy yellow with a spare diminishing white head. Aroma of fresh hops and citrus that you just want to keep smelling. Sweet flavour of hops and grapefruit is well balanced and oh so tasty. Very enjoyable and different -- I could drink this all night. Congrats to Black Oak for the win and keep up the excellent work!