Bells Hopslam

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

On tap at Taco Mac. Pours dark copper with a thin head. The aroma is strong citrus and floral hops, some caramel, and apples. The flavor is very bitter, but smooth and well balanced. The palate is medium to heavy, astringent, and hard. I remember this beer being better. I’ll have to try it again.

UPDATED: FEB 9, 2012 Big grassy hop aroma,plenty of hops up front, bitterness. Pours golden with white head that soon fades.

Great aroma of citrus. Mild flavor for a DIPA which I think is from the honey that really tones down the hops. Very little bitterness which helps the after taste. One of the best IPA’s out there, and this coming from someone that is not a huge hop head.

February 8, 2012 tap at Valley Tap. Golden orange with some head and nice lacing. Aroma is fruity, floral, malty and some pine. Taste is consistent with aroma, very nicely balanced with a mild bitter finish.

Bottle - pours golden honey yellow with a medium white head and some lacing. Oh yeah! This beer is definitely worth the ratings that it’s getting. It has a nice hoppy citrus aroma and I did detect a bit of honey in there as well. Has a nice clean finish to it. Very balanced. Excellent!

Floral aroma and strong grapefruit aroma. Tastes of grapefruit. Great hop taste. I dislike bitter hops but this is citrusy. Very good.

Refrigerated 12 oz. bottle (bottled five weeks ago) poured into a red wine glass. Pours translucent deep golden with very small white head. Very thin and sparse tiny bubble lacing, light carbonation, medium/thick body, resinous texture, and grapefruit with a hint of pine aroma. Taste is fairly large complex floral grapefruit up front, some pine, some alcohol, a hint of honey, and lighter bitter finish. Overall this is not one of my favorite styles, is slightly better as it warms, this one does not cover the alcohol (I know the abv is 10%, but still), but I would rather have 3F Dreadnaught or New Glarus IIPA for the style.

Local Option, Chicago tap ($7): Pours a golden color with a white head. Aroma is of floral hops, floral hops, floral hops, and a little bit of sugar. Taste is complex hoppiness, which culminates a sweet finish (not too sweet). Alcohol covered adeptly. Hops mixed impressively. Aromas pour out decisively. This beer is quite hoppy, and it is, as such, a sipper. I couldn’t really chug this as I could some other beers. In any case, I suppose it lives up to the hype.