This is it guys — the holy grail of beer for me. I don’t know how else to put it except to tell you that Bell’s Hopslam is the single best beer on the market. Released only once a year, people stand in line, leave their name on waiting lists, or just outright stalk liquor stores for it. I’ve done all three…so I know. Last year I only purchased two six-packs and I’ve regretted that decision all year. So this year I opted for not just one case, but two. Call it panic, call it crazy, call it whatever you want — but I’m sitting on enough Hopslam to last me for at least three or four months (maybe longer since it’s all sitting in cold refrigeration). The second this gorgeous Imperial IPA is poured, the aromas waft up out of the glass so strongly that you know you’re in for a special treat. TONS of pineapple and mango (even luxurious papaya) just begin to wreak havoc on your nostrils and make you glad you’re alive. It’s virtually a clear golden color with the perfect amount of off-white head, its smell (again) is out of this world, but the taste is the real star here. Let’s just say this is pure perfection as I know it. And that’s all I’m going to say. Go steal some from your friends. Or go drive two states away. Or pay $10 for a bottle on eBay. Whatever you do – get on board with this beer because you’ll truly see what the hype is all about. And don’t forget… REFRIGERATE YOUR HOPS PEOPLE!!!
For a larger HD experience click here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Atlas Sound
Brewery: Bell’s
Beer: Hopslam
Style: Imperial IPA
Location: Comstock, Michigan
ABV: 10%
Rating: 100/100
Posted by Kelly on January 22, 2010 at 9:14 AM
Nice! I’m glad you got your hands on it, finally! I’m heading out to my local watering hole tonight, they have Hopslam on cask. Pretty pumped!
Posted by thehopry on January 22, 2010 at 9:17 AM
Hey Kelly, yeah it’s been a good couple days around here. Also, I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts on the cask-conditioned version. It’s really not even the same beer for me. I was surprised but it’s twice as good just right out of a normal keg or bottle…
Posted by HopSucker on August 26, 2010 at 3:31 PM
I fully agree with you Mark, Hopslam is better from the bottle or keg than from the cask.
I am glad the “slosher” gave some of us the opportunity to try it pushed from a cask, but I had a pour of each version side by side and hands down the c02 helps the flavor profile.
Posted by Kelly on January 22, 2010 at 9:34 AM
I’m going to review it after I give it a shot on cask. I’ll let you know!
Happy Friday and Skol Vikings!
Posted by Taylor on January 22, 2010 at 10:06 AM
I’ve been meaning to try this one. Love the Bell’s. Their Best Brown Ale is BALLER. Cool site! Come swing by The Perfectly Happy Man sometime. Cheers!
Posted by thehopry on January 22, 2010 at 1:15 PM
Thank you for the compliment. Just started following you on Twitter, too…
Posted by theReaper16 on January 22, 2010 at 5:06 PM
I bought one case on Tuesday and I’m one six-pack down already. I’m gonna’ need more. ^_^
Posted by Mike on January 22, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Drinking one now. Wow i LOVE this brew!!!
Posted by Craig & Gay Jones on January 23, 2010 at 12:52 AM
Nice review. Gay and I were drinking our Hopslam (in the pimp glasses) while watching the review. As you know we tend more towards the porters / stouts, but this just drinks so smooth and fresh….we love it.
BTW, we both really love the new music. … Nice collection growing in the background.
Posted by thehopry on January 23, 2010 at 7:48 AM
Thank you Craig, yeah just trying to keep it fresh with the music and intro themes. One day maybe I’ll get something professionally done. But anyway… There will be a few more with the old intro and credits, but then I’ll be moving to this one for a while. Glad you and the wifey love the beer. I don’t think you’ll be able to go back now, but that’s a good thing.
Posted by mr p on January 23, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Shit, that’s funny — I just bought some Hopslam and was going to email and ask if you wanted me to buy you some. Didn’t know you got two cases! Also funny is that I listened to Atlas Sound today too (this morning).
Posted by thehopry on January 23, 2010 at 5:45 PM
Hello Marvin!!! I guess great minds truly do think alike. Good to know we’re on the same wavelength…
Posted by Brother Bean on January 23, 2010 at 10:37 PM
Congrats on the two cases, steep but a small price to pay for something so perfect. But if I may, a word to the wise: drink it fast. This beer changes by the day (deteriorates, in my opinion) so the longer you sit on it the farther it will stray from the masterpiece you originally purchased. I sat on one bottle from last year’s batch for almost a year as an experiment, mostly to prove wrong the people who bestowed upon me similar advice to what I’m giving you, and I was sorely disappointed to find that they were absolutely correct. Drink it fast and enjoy!
Posted by thehopry on January 23, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Welcome Brother Bean. Thank you so much for the comments. You are absolutely correct that these beers die out quickly. However, if you refrigerate them in a cold fridge, they will hang on for longer than you think. If you do a search on this site for Tripel Karmeliet, you will see an extra (at the end of the video) I did for a Hopslam I was able to purchase back in October. That’s a full nine months after its release. It was in the fridge the entire time. Kept cold, it was honestly still a very good beer – though not quite as bright and good as it is/was in January and February. Also, click on the tab at the top called “campaign.” You’ll see I’m very serious about keeping the hops cold to preserve the flavor as much as possible and for as long as possible.
Thanks,
Mark Starr
Posted by mark on January 24, 2010 at 1:39 PM
Lucky enough to live in the Great Lakes state so I get my fill of Bell’s. The Hopslam this year is heavenly!!! I ordered 3 cases for our bar and it was gone in 2 days, people just can’t get enough.
Posted by thehopry on January 27, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Yeah, it goes really quick. I wish they would brew it at least twice a year. There is certainly demand for it. I’m sure they have their reasons, though, for only releasing it once…
Posted by Scott on January 27, 2010 at 8:36 PM
Question for ya: I see this beer a lot where I live in Ohio. So I thought I would finally try it, although my dream has always been to try Pliny the Elder. Is there much of a difference between the two? Also I’ve read that Pliny is sensitive to time, in that its best fresh within weeks and this is the reason why Ohio doesn’t have it, considering its brewed in Cali. So does this apply to Hopslam, too?
Scott
Posted by thehopry on January 27, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Hello Scott –
To answer the question about timing for drinking an IPA, they are always at their best when they hit the shelves. If not properly stored in refrigeration they will begin to lose their aromatic qualities fairly quickly. The flavoring hops usually go second, and bittering last. For these types of beers, the aroma is a huge part of the experience so that’s why people try to drink them quickly. As for the comparison of Pliny and Hopslam, it’s a matter of preference I think because they are both amazing beers. They have different aromas and taste, but both are deserving of their praise. I prefer Hopslam myself… Check out my campaign tab at the top of the page.
Thanks,
Mark Starr
Posted by Scott on January 27, 2010 at 9:19 PM
Thanks for the info, Mark. I’m starting to feel indifferent to my groceries decision to let their sierra nevada’s torpedo (as well as the Sam Adam’s Nobel Pils) stay out in room temperature. Doesn’t make much sense if the fridge, holding their cheap, macro beers is leaving out the beers that would benefit more from the cold.
Posted by Tröegs Nugget Nectar « The Hopry on February 10, 2010 at 1:51 AM
[...] to-do list for quite some time and has been put in the same class as some of the other greats like Bell’s Hopslam and Russian River’s Pliny the Elder. Needless to say, my expectations were set pretty high. [...]
Posted by Tom Cahill on February 13, 2010 at 1:30 PM
Mark I couldn’t agree with you more. Hopslam is king. Its because of beers like this that I love beer. That is why I have a 1/2 barrell I purchased through a Chicago distributor, through my local liquor store. I have a kegerator. I was told that I am the only individual in an eight state area that has a keg of this in my home. I love, love, love this beer. I have had it tapped for 2 weeks and man this is great.
If you’re coming to Chicago let me know we’ll knock down a couple.
Posted by Martin on July 17, 2010 at 5:05 AM
Hello Mark,
By accident I bought this beer in Amsterdam at the Cracked Kettle. Through your website I got aware of the specialness of this beer, so I saved this beer ’till my birthday. I’m not really fond of IIPA’s, because of the alcoholic sweetness that comes with it. But the Hopslam is a different IIPA. It stays with its hoppy bitterness and it gives you a slight sweetness, what is OK to me.
Thanks for your great beer reviews. I wish the beers that you are talking about, were easier to get here in the Netherlands. A Hail to the Hops, from the Netherlands,
greetings, Martin
Posted by thehopry on July 17, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Hi Martin –
Glad you liked it. When they hit the shelves next year drink one the minute you get it home and see how much better (or worse) you like it. This beer (of any I’ve ever experienced) changes flavor very very fast based on the loads of high-end aromatic hops it’s brewed with. And by the way, I’m jealous that you get to shop at the Cracked Kettle.
Thanks,
Mark Starr
Posted by dan on February 4, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Great review. I really like this beer. Just bought a mini keg of it tonight here in DC, 50 bucks plus dc tax!……..i’ve had it before in bottle, and can’t wait to tap the keg!
Posted by thehopry on February 4, 2011 at 8:19 PM
Very nice score.
Posted by Calvin on February 14, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Just so you know, I wrote Bell’s requesting that they make this beer more than once a year. I totally agree with you and enjoyed this video. Thanks.
Posted by jason h on February 27, 2011 at 7:35 PM
This year I finally got to taste the Hopslam. Got a sixer then went to Phoenix to find 9 cases on the shelf at Total Wine … What? Crazy. I grabbed more. Probably my favorite IPA. On one night we had it next to Pliny and Sculpin. Hopslam slammed um.
Posted by henry a on March 26, 2011 at 9:15 PM
Yo mark, dope website try drakes hopocalypse I recommend hope to hear ur reply