Bells Hopslam

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

12 oz. bottle; WOW. This is the best beer I’ve had in my 25 years of life so far. I knew I was in for a treat as soon as I cracked the cap off the bottle and took in the aroma. Smells like a combination of honey and floral hoppiness with a little citrus. Pours out a nearly opaque orange-amber with a very thin head. The lack of substantial head is the only reason I didn’t rate this beer a 5. The flavor represents a delicious combination of pefect hops and just enough sweet honey. I don’t quite understand how the ABV is 10%! Considering Hopslam is a double IPA, it predictably finishes bitter and the honey almost enables it to last much longer than most beers in it’s class. Buy it while it’s still in season!!! (till the end of Feb)

Bottle. At the new Toby St Bar and Grille in Clarion, PA. Sweet, hoppy, bitter, thick, creamy and awesome. Definitely one of the best beers that I have ever had. Great balance of sweet malt and bitter hops. I started with a Stone Ruination and this beer blew it away. That’s saying something. Very impressive.

12 oz bottle, batch 8277 (1/9/08). Pours a hazy dark gold with a huge pillowy white head that retains well and laces the glass. There’s tons of big yeasties in the bottom.

The aroma is piney citrusy spicy peppery hops! Yum! It is a little subdued.

The flavor is sweet, slightly sugary, caramel malts, melon and grapefruits with a nice big fruity, peppery hop bite in the finish. It’s a little on the sweet side but this bottle is not quite so fresh. I’ve had it fresher with a bigger hop presence. The hop bitterness comes out more as it warms. The alcohol is very well hidden. The mouthfeel is medium to full with nice velvety carbonation.

Overall, this is fantastic! It’s very well balanced and is so yummy it’s almost seems sessionable. I wish I could get this regularly! This is right at the top of my list.

Had on draft at Peach’s Bar in Yellow Springs, OH. Wow! What an fantastic beer. Drinking this was like biting into a grapefruit, it was so explosive with citrus hops. The aroma was fresh and floral and again, loaded with hops. One giant, wonderfully hoppy beer.

2009 Bottle @ Cracked Kettle. Amber/Orange with white head. Hoppy hoppy hoppy sweet fruity grapefruit citrus nice balance.

Pours a slightly hazy amber color with decent white head. Aroma is of rich ctrus notes which dominated my nose along with a faint nose of alcohol that lets you know that it’s an IIPA. Taste is extremely citrusy with a lot of orange coming through. A hint of nectarine in the finish as well as some caramel malt. Mouthfeel is very resinous and oily. Nice sheets of lacing as the beer is consumed. A very solid IIPA!

My nose goes straight to the cup on this beer. Wow!!! Hops right in the face! Fresh, somewhat spicy citrus hops! Not complicated. Just right dab in the nose! As I pull it away, I noticed it is a little hazy. This think this is due to a protein haze. Although, personally, appearance means little to me on beers - it is all about taste - this site forces me to rate this beer low in this category. I take a another wiff of this beer. Is is Columbus? Crystal? Amarillo? Or.... did they dry hop with summit?! I pour a little beer into my mouth. My brains jumps to memories of a homebrew club meetings in Blacksburg - "Hop Juice" and then to Old Dominion double IPA with Summit. Saying this beer is "great" would be an insult. The hops are balanced through the entire beer. Not bitter at all. Just good floral/citrus throughout the taste. The beer ends with nothing - just a clean freshing fresh taste in the mouth. Hmmm... if only Bell’s made a hop toothpaste... :-) Great beer. One of my favorite of all times!

12oz bottle. Pours dark orange with a medium white head that quickly dissipates. Excellent grapefruit/citrus aroma with pine and hops. Initial flavor of caramel malts and grapefruit with the sweetness of honey and alcohol. The finish is mostly hops with some pine. Very balanced and easily the most drinkable Double IPAs I’ve had. It’s a shame this is not available year-round. Essential when it’s available fresh.