Lord Hobo Boom Sauce

4.4

   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 17/20

Chad9976 (1455) - Albany, New York, USA - SEP 17, 2015

Every once in a while a certain beer will surge in popularity due to a clever name and/or packaging and/or marketing. “Boom Sauce” by Lord Hobo Brewing is a beer like that and I can see why. First of all, the name is pretty cool; secondly it comes in a full pint can; lastly it’s a very tasty and highly drinkable imperial IPA that’s actually a blend of some of their other beers (none of which are nearly as popular as this, apparently). If this brewery is destined to be a one-hit wonder I won’t mind.

I poured a 16oz can into a tulip glass. There was no freshness date. Thanks to Jason T. for this can!

Appearance: An extremely hazy shade of rusty/flame orange. Initially pours to a large, off-white, fluffy head; it eventually dials back and leaves on minor lacing on the glass.

Smell: Huge tropical fruit aroma along with some floral and herbal components. A bit of a candy scent, too. Very sweet-smelling.

Taste: If I were drinking this beer blind I’d think it’s an excellent Imperial IPA. That it’s actually a blend of three other beers is really impressive – especially for a fairly new brewery. I haven’t had the three beers that make up this one, but I’d love to try them. There’s a certain je na sais quois factor to blended brews, and that’s present here. There’s a lot of flavor and complexity happening here. Big tropical fruit flavor to open the palette, followed by an almost candy-like sensation of sweetness. I get a touch of vanilla and caramel through the middle followed by a fairly intense hop bite right as it finishes. The hops have only a faint herbal character – otherwise, they’re quite dank and juicy. This beer reminds me a lot of Southern Tier Unearthly – and that’s really saying something!

Drinkability: I approached this beer with some caution when I saw the 8% ABV on the can. I was pleasantly surprised to find there was no challenge to Lord Hobo Boom Sauce, though. The mouthfeel is quite full-bodied, but it has a soft weight and a smooth texture. It is not cloying or sticky in any way. Perhaps refreshing for a moment while in the mouth, though not a refreshing beer per se. The hops linger and leave a mild aftertaste, though it’s easily tolerated. The alcohol does create for a mild warmth, but it also seems to add to the sweetness. I’m impressed at how drinkable this beer is.

RATING: 9/10