Balls To The Wahl Strom Hop Bomb
Water Street Brewing & Ale House

If it wasn’t for truth in advertising, I wouldn’t much care for this beer at all. But since it’s called a Hop Bomb, what else should we expect besides an exceedingly over-hopped ale? In this case, the beer isn’t entirely pale – I’d call it burnt saffron. But it does deliver as it intends and is painfully over-hopped to the point of being citric, tannic, and explosive. The aroma is juicy and seductive, but the tense, fibrous mouthfeel pays the price. Surprisingly, there is virtually no head or lace in evidence.

With hop prices now soaring to obscene highs, Hops Bombs such as Balls to The Wahlstrom may soon become obsolete expressions of excess. That would suit me well. But if you happen to like imbalanced hop massacres, this one will do well enough.

A: Copper, off-white head, very little retention, slight lace.

S: Nectarine, appricot, bread & caramel.

T: Nice appricot & nectarine hop flavours are backed with caramel & dark toffee malts. Good bitterness.

M: Moderate body & carbonation, well-attenuated, some hop acidity.

D: Quite good.