Style: Fruited Sour
ABV: 5%
We made it to 4th of July weekend, and we’re celebrating the only way we know how: by drinking a beer that fits the occasion. A new release from the crew at HopFly Brewing Company, “Bootleg Fireworks” is inspired by the classic Bomb Pop treats, and it was impossible to turn down the opportunity to pair this with the start of Independence Day weekend. We hope everyone has a great weekend celebrating with friends and family, and of course, enjoying great beer!
Nick’s Take
I had heard that “Bootleg Fireworks” was a bright red beer, and that assessment held true. I noted it as sort of a ruby red, with plenty of haze to it. This resulted in a pinkish head that looked fizzy and crisp. After a bit, this subsided to nothing more than a wisp, but didn’t disappear entirely. In my head I was comparing its appearance to a punch of sorts. I was very excited to drink this, to say the least.
The first few smells produced heavy aromas of sour fruit. My initial reaction: pink lemonade. However, there was more to it. I could smell raspberries, hints of grapefruit, and lime. Basically, lots of citrus and some sour berry as well. The tart medley was exciting and I was ready to take a drink to commemorate the long weekend ahead.
“Bootleg Fireworks” didn’t disappoint in the carbonation department. That fizzy appearance came through with a bright, carbonated mouthfeel that lifted all the tart flavors. It also produced a slight drying effect, while also leaving some coating behind due to the high acidity. It was sour/tart enough that I could feel it on my tongue before tasting any of the flavors.
It’s often hard for a sour beer to be actually sour for my taste, but “Bootleg Fireworks” pulled it off with ease. This tart brew packs a ton of lemon and lime, as well as some other tart fruits like raspberry and cherry. I don’t think grapefruit was used in the brew, but I kept getting the impression of it in my tasting. The acidity was high due to the level of citrus fruit, but I enjoyed the bright and exciting fruit cocktail. It was very delicious.
This fruited sour is highly drinkable, and I say that after puckering through the last few swigs. Yes, it is acidic and highly tart, but the blend of flavors also contribute sweetness to help balance it on the finish. I could drink a couple of these at the beach or poolside and would enjoy the refreshing elements it has. I’m really happy we got to review this just in time for the holiday weekend, and will be looking to get a few more cans before the supply is gone.
Joe’s Take
The 4th of July is upon us and it’s time for ‘Merica! This patriotic explosion of flavor came in a red, white and blue can adorned with the classic summer treat “Bomb Pop” popsicles and cartoonish bombs. Once I cracked that tastefully designed can, the beer poured a deep hazy red with a quickly fading whitish head. If it was a little more purple in color it may have looked like you melted down the aforementioned popsicle and poured it into a glass.
The aroma of the fruited sour was sweet and featured a fruity grain note that reminded me a bit of “Fruit Loops” cereal. The combination of citrus, berries, and cherries likely contributed to this reminiscence and the aroma was pleasant and not too tart.
Mouthfeel of “Bootleg Fireworks” was similar to other sours produced by HopFly characterized by a light body and a fizzingly nice level of carbonation. The beer was tart but not puckering, making it easy to sip on. There was a slight drying finish that followed a mouth cleansing acidity.
The fruited sour tasted like freedom in a glass…well the freedom to make a sour beer and load it with heaps of fruity goodness. The beer was sweet and tart and I noted flavors like cherry, lime, and red berries. The flavor reminded me a little of tart cherry limeade. It was refreshing and not too sweet. I enjoyed the balance of acidity and sweetness and could easily see myself drinking this patriotic brew this weekend.
The refreshing quality of this beer is like akin to that of lemonade on a hot day, so throw out your lemonade and replace it with this. The tart acidity, light mouthfeel, and blend of fruity flavor are sure to keep you cool and refreshed while you’re celebrating the ole US of A. Cheers to a happy 4th of July!
| Notes | Joe | Nick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Red, hazy, cherry like appearance, short-lived white bubbly head | 4 | 4.5 |
| Aroma | Fruity, citrus, berry, tart acidity, cereal, “Fruit Loops” | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Mouthfeel | Thin, medium carbonation, somewhat drying, acidic | 4 | 4 |
| Taste | Sweet cherry, lime, red berry, malt undertones, tart citrus | 4 | 4.5 |
| Drinkability | Refreshing, good sweet-sour balance, palate cleansing | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Total | Out of 25 possible points | 21 | 22 |
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