Bells Hopslam

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

Awesome beer. Great hoppy character, and the use of honey keeps this from being too bitter. Color, aroma, and flavor are all outstanding. The only thing that kept me from giving this a 5 is that Bells is stingy, and doesn’t brew much.

Batch 10101 (Jan. 4th, 2011) Thanks to my nephew Nic! This is not easy, but have to say this is the best beer I’ve enjoyed the past three years. It gets my highest rating to date (surpassing Orval and FFF’s Alpha King). Aroma? You bet - simply awesome. The taste is second to none, with the good bitter finish. THAT is what puts this beer over the top - so many IPAs/DIPAs may lean to the sweet side - not this brew. Perfection. A classic beer that I am so glad to have two bottles of. So wonderful I am saving the 2nd for tomorrow night - PROST!

Beautiful aroma right out of the gate, almost syrupy in texture and smell. Poured a nice gold with good carb. Strong in abv. aroma, taste, pretty much across the board. Only a once in a while purchase due to price, but a tasty choice.

This seems to be a really popular beer in my area. Sure has the taste to back up the reputation. A great example of double IPA. Almost has oily bubbles in the head. HUGE hops. If you love the hops this is a must try.

2010 Bottle. It pops open and immediately fresh hop nectar travels into your nostils. It pours a golden orangeish yellowish amberish color, there is swirling carbonation bubbles, that are quite unique and wonderful. THe head is nice and big and white. This is the freshest IPA I have smelt aside from my homebrew and it is AMAZING. It is everything you want hops to be, majorly citusy, slightly piney, and slightly sugary. The taste is godlike hop nectar. Literally plain and simple, there isnt much more to say. The mouthfeel is PERFECT for this style, the carbonation and body are just right. The drinkablity is through the roof ,I have the compulsion to finish this whole case in a night it goes down so easy (not). This beer is pretty mythic, the best DIPA i have had and I have had week old Pliny. It is all about the freshness though I have had Hopslam after 6 months and it dies wholly. When it is fresh it is hard to beat. World class. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 01-14-2010 02:22:23

Bottle with great thanks to Daknole! This rating is for Batch 10127 (packaged on 1/11/11). Pours a bright, slightly clear copper with light eggshell head. A slightly eggshell ring of lacing remains on the outside of the glass. The aroma is immediately tropical: notes of passion fruit, orange peel, strawberry, pineapple. It’s supported by a healthy backbone of honey and hops (maybe amarillo and simcoe?). Really a joy to sniff; I think this replaces Pliny the Elder was my favorite IPA aroma! All that tropical fruit goodness plays second fiddle in the flavor. Slight orange peel and pineapple but heavier on the honey, spruce, and booze. Slight alcohol and resin sting, but the hop rush doesn’t really come. Finish is a balance of orange peel and spruce and surprisingly dry. There is soft hoppy bitterness that only slightly lingers but does so for quite a long time. Very good, even if I wasn’t blown away. I’m more interested than ever on trying this fresh on tap!

12oz bottle big thanks to daknole. Golden color with a small amount of white head. Huge hop aroma - lots of grapefruit and some floral as well. Just incredible! Good malt backbone and the honey gives a slight sweetness which helps stand up to the lingering bitterness. This is a great brew that I’m very glad to have gotten to try.

(beer tasting @ Monty’s Krown - Rochester, NY: 5L mini-keg) Hazy gold pour with a soapy white head. Big hop aroma with tons of different floral and citrus notes. Smells absolutely amazing. Flavor is hoppy and sweet and flowery and peppery all at the same time. Smooth and sweet hop and honey combination in the middle with a very nice bitter and hoppy finish and aftertaste. Outstanding.