Bells Hopslam

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

My first double IPA, and hopefully not my last. I was hesitant when this beer was recommended to me by a friendly beer store employee, because I generally dislike the intense bitterness of the IPA style. In short, I’m glad he pressed the issue. The aroma was strongly citrus and piney hops, with an underlying sweetness apparent. Definitely hoppy, but nothing so aggressive as the name would suggest. An unfortunate pour nevertheless left a one-finger white head on top of a fairly clear golden brew with a nice amount carbonation. Attractive. On the front end, the taste is an IPA load of hops, balancing out perfectly with lingering notes of malt and honey sweetness. Very tasty, even with the 10% apparent. I’m not ashamed to say that I went back to the bottle for the few last drops in the bottom after finishing my glass. Palate was very substantial and long-lasting. Carbonation was perfect throughout, nicely augmenting the oily texture. This is a great, balanced beer that I’d recommend even to those who don’t consider themselves hopheads, with only one warning-- it packs a wallop.

2010 review. Poured from the bottle into a Dogfish Head chalice. It pours with a nice 1/2" head formed from a moderately aggressive pour. The color is a nice, clear golden orange with healthy carbonation levels. It’s one of those thick, dense looking beers where the carbonation slowly creeps out. Quite nice, though. It has an insanely huge aroma, with sweet fruits and honey, citrus zest, cherries, floral and resinous notes... phenomenal. The taste is of candied maraschino cherries, resinous hops, with a bit of bite combined with an overwhelming sweetness that smooths it all out. There might be some mild tart apple in there, too. It was better on draft, but still so good in the bottle. The mouthfeel is ideal, with good density and carbonation, and a nice, mouth-filling consistency. It’s one of the most famous beers around, and for good reason. A huge aroma and taste, with a perfect mouthfeel. Even with the big ABV, you want to keep drinking. A classic.

Trade with Smith4498. Beautiful aroma of citrus, grapefruit, peach, honey. Appearance is a relatively clear reddish gold, white head. The flavor is light fruit, caramel, citrus, pine needles. I really didn’t feel "slammed" by hops. I actually thought it was a good balance between malt and hop. The finish: different story. Pine needles, resin, very bitter, and enduring (at least 2 minutes). The body is thick, oily mouthfeel. VERY nicely done. Thanks, Jason.

bitter at first, but once you get used to it, it is very enjoyable, pale color, with a strong taste in alcohol, its very hoppy to say the least

Really want to love this since Two Hearted is amazing. Obvious attempt to hide high alcohol but doesn’t quite do it. Not very technical review but.

A solid beer, however too expensive ($16-$18 a six pack). The amount of hops is definitely as advertised. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is definitely a better value @ $10.

Pours a golden color with a nice white head to it. Has a piney citrus smell to it that is a little sweet. Upon first taste I get the citrus and hops but on the finish is nice sweetness to it. The sweetness isn’t over powering at all and really balances this out in my option. Another nice beer from Bells

Batch 9470. What a fantastic beer, definitely in my double IPA top 3, right behind Pliny the Elder and Double Trouble. Pours a dark transparent amber, with a cloudy white head of a decent size. Smells like pure, piney, delicious hops, with a touch of sweetness. Hits you in the face with floral hops when you take a drink, followed by some citrus notes, a touch of sticky sweetness, and tailing off to a finish that coats the mouth with a mix of sweetness and pleasant hoppy bitterness. The only thing giving Pliny and Double Trouble the edge in my books the bit of sweetness in the Hopslam, I like my hop juice dry!