Boombox Brewing Company Stereophonic American Pale Ale at 5% ABV (C$4.72 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 11-Jul-2019, acquired 22-Sep-2019, reviewed 4-Oct-2019)
Appearance: hazy deep gold with two fingers of loose white head, good retention and spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel, citrus, vegetal, earth. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (3/5)
I’ve been pleased with my two previous attempts by this contract brewer (Rad Seeker and Arcade Glow were both 8’s for me) so I was cautiously optimistic here. Plus, the label effect (SSSTERRREEEOPHHHOOONICCC!) is pretty danged cool. But, all in all, this one is pretty meh-tastic at best. There’s just not a lot of the purported Vic Secret, Azacca and Sabro hops (especially for what they describe as “heavily dosed”!) and in fact I find caramel to be the dominant aroma over a frankly disappointing vegetal and earthy note. Combine that with a slightly unclean muddy appearance, and, well, it’s not exactly a success story – to the point where I have to conclude this is infected. Sink poured half of it. (11/20)
5.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
