Observation Bubble

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.

Bell’s Brewery in Michigan is one of the better and most well-known breweries in the nation putting out some of my favorites like Two Hearted Ale, Oberon and Winter White Ale not to mention some of their seasonal porters and stouts which are tough to get your hands on. However, their most sought after seasonal beer is a double IPA called Hopslam.

I bought my first six-pack of Hopslam from the Bestway Grocery Store in Greensboro back in 2011. At the time, it was the most money that I had spent on a six-pack from a grocery store coming in at $16. I didn’t plan on buying it this year but my brother posted a picture on Instagram about it being at the Total Wine right down the street from my house. Without hesitation, I jumped in my car and within 10 minutes, I had spent a quick $40+ on two six packs of the Hopslam 2013. Normally, I will tend to think over purchases that cost $30 or more but the limited release and low availability makes it a hot commodity.

Bell’s states on its website that Hopslam has a recommended shelf life of six months and users on Beer Advocate will frown upon you for aging it or similar IPAs. However, I aged one of my 2011 Hopslam bottles in a dark cabinet for over a year and I thought it was great. It really mellows the beer out. I am planning to do it to one or two more bottles from this year. I’ll let you know how it goes next year.

Hopslam is a potent beer with a 10% ABV (alcohol by volume) and it packs a punch. It has a great honey brown color and my pour had about a finger of head. I think it is pretty thick with a bitter taste which is  nicely offset when the honey flavor coats your mouth and throat after swallowing the sip. It definitely has the sweetness that you would expect from the ingredients and the hops can be a little overpowering at times especially for someone just getting into IPAs. I would recommend letting it sit out of the fridge for 5-10 minutes before pouring it to bring the beer closer to room temp. The flavors will come out a bit more when the temperature rises.

I have talked to a couple of friends about this year’s Hopslam both in person and on Untappd, a social media beer check-in app. I noticed that a lot of my friends who have just gotten into craft beer in the last year or so and had just had their first Hopslam thought  it was the cat’s pajamas. The ones who have been into craft beer for a few years and have tasted the last few years thought it was missing something. I think I am right in the middle of the pack. I wasn’t disappointed by it but I wasn’t blown away like I was on my first taste back in 2011 either.