Bells Hopslam

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

Ok, I never thought I would give a perfect score but here it is. First of all, i was only hoping that this would slightly live up to it’s reputation, and it far exceeded it. From the moment that I poured it, I could tell that I was in the presence of greatness. Bottle pours a brilliant orange-amber with a creamy, 2-finger, peach-colored head that leaves some nice lacing. The aroma is like walking through multiple fruit orchards at the same time. Honestly one of the most multi-dimensional smells ever, showing fresh peaches, apricots, grapefruit, lychee, pineapple, orange, tangerines and pine. I could smell this stuff all day. This is all carried over and complimented with sweet caramel, honey, and what seems like cookie dough at times. Alcohol is masked extremely well and only makes it’s presence subtly known. The overall mouthfeel is moderate and sticky with a perfect amount of bitterness on the finish. Fruit cornucopia aside, what really impresses me is the superb balance. Needless to say, i’m hording a considerable amount for myself.

(12 oz. bottle). Pours an orange liquid with a nice chunky off-white head. Aroma is of honey sweetness and beautiful citrus. It doesn’t get better than this! Very bitter up front, but the honey smoothes things out pretty quickly to provide an incredible balance to such a hoppy beer. The finish is bitter, but pleasant and the alcohol is hidden quite well. This is about as good a beer as you’ll find. It saddens me that this is my last one until next season.

Finally managed to get my hands on this. WOW. Clear bright orange pour with a nice white head. Very strong citrus and pine forest aroma, with a bit of earthiness. The flavor is all about balance. Very hoppy and strong on the initial hit like a a DIPA should but mellows out with a wonderful, honey sweetness of the malt without losing that great bitterness. Absolutely awesome.

UPDATED: SEP 14, 2010 9/26/2009: Extraordinary. Pronounced hops and light citrus (apricot and kiwi). Just loaded with flavor. Not as bitter as many DIPA...much more refined and balanced...if you can use those terms with a beer called "...slam"! Serve it cold and enjoy this seasonal brew. Update 9/23/2010: Sadly, my stock of this year’s batch is down to just 1 bottle from the 4 cases I had. This really is the perfect DIPA: Clear hops, balanced with honey, citrus, and some herbaceous qualities. I look forward to next year’s batch. If you prefer it with a harsher edge, drink it very cold. If you prefer the flavors more well-integrated, decant it. Enjoy.

Wow! One of my personal favorites, extremely flavorful with a nice bite and great aroma.

Bottle. 6-Pack from Binny’s in Naperville. Like most people, I was hesitant to spend the money, but then thought "I’ve spent way more on a terrible bottle of beer at a bar or concert." After tasting this, I would definitely buy it again. It pours a clear amber color with about an inch of white head. Wonderful full floral, hoppy aroma. Strong wonderful flavor that is balanced between the honey sweetness and hoppy bitterness, so neither is overwhelming. After the initial taste you then get a slam to the face of hops, which continues to tantalize your palate until you take your next sip. Bitter, but not as bitter as I expected it. You would not expect it to be 10% abv. Overall a great beer that is worth the price.

This is the best DIPA out there in my mind, but I haven’t had Pliney the Elder or Younger yet. If you drink more than two at a session your taste buds will be numb from the hops. Aroma is very hoppy as expected. Appearance is amber in color with a medium head as it is poured from the bottle. Taste you can definately taste the variety of hops. Palate the beer is not harsh on the palate.

The Aroma on this beer is so good I wish thats all I could smell the rest of my life. I just had it on tap at Willards Tap house in Largo Fl and I think i just found my favorite beer. A++