Bell's Hopslam Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Date on bottle 01/03/13.

Appearance: Wonderful golden honey color with incredible clarity. A one finger off-white head has dissipated into a thin bubbly film atop the beer. One of the best looking beers I've seen, looks very succulent.

Aroma: Interesting but not very strong. Pine layered with honey. Also hints of mango and peach hop characteristics. A touch of rubbing alcohol.

Taste: A decently complex brew with flavor shifts throughout. Starts with a sweet bitterness that becomes more and more intense adding in a distinct pine flavor about halfway through. The end and finish give throw in addition hop flavors of citrus and grapefruit but they can be hard to detect. Each sip ends with a big blast of bitterness that lingers for a long time. Despite how bitter it is (somewhere in the ballpark of 80 IBUs), Hopslam actually maintains a near perfect balance with a pleasantly malty undertone. Most of the 10% ABV is hidden but the finish does give way to a moderate heat in the back of the throat.

Mouthfeel: Just below full in body and somehow not syrupy. It would be quite easy to chug this down which is surprising given the style. Just very smooth overall.

Final Thoughts: To someone who's new to IPAs or DIPAs they may think Hopslam tastes like a liquid pine tree. However, a more informed palate would note that it strikes a near perfect balance in flavor and delivers a pleasant drinking experience. Would I drink it again? Hell yes, it is deserving of its near legendary status in the world of craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 23:17:50 | More by JamesMN

OrangeAmps

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-25-2013 00:50:49 | More by OrangeAmps

CHILLINDYLAN

Washington

4.54/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Clear Vibrant Tangerine. Creamy white head with decent retention. Beautiful Frosty Laces.

Plentiful Floral, Pine, Cirtus, Tropical Fruit, Spicy resin. Light toasty malts with some honey and a bit of booze.

Floral, spicy resins, juicy citrus. honey and booze over a very lightly toasted malt bill. Sticky floral resinous bitterness. Not as overtly bitter as other of the style.

Silky medium body that is sticky and drying. medium, pleasant carbonation.

Awesome tasty IIPA. Hops and honey = great floral hoppy treat. Thanks to a trade with a friend from Michigan. I'd love to have this one regularly.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 23:38:59 | More by CHILLINDYLAN

wezzul

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-24-2013 16:35:50 | More by wezzul

kspongeworthy

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-24-2013 14:57:46 | More by kspongeworthy

SwG237

New York

3.5/5  rDev -22.7%

05-24-2013 03:51:32 | More by SwG237

BeerGardener

Nebraska

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-24-2013 03:42:58 | More by BeerGardener

cnewton

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-23-2013 18:58:23 | More by cnewton

blguillen

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-23-2013 18:43:53 | More by blguillen

sblank

Florida

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-23-2013 17:59:14 | More by sblank

visionaries

California

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-23-2013 17:04:30 | More by visionaries

kvnstfrd

Missouri

1/5  rDev -77.9%

05-23-2013 13:48:30 | More by kvnstfrd

AaronBricking

Kentucky

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-23-2013 04:59:21 | More by AaronBricking

Hendry

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a semi clear amber/orange hue, nice soapy 1 finger white head.

Not the aroma I was expecting. With a name like HOPSLAM, I was expecting something in the area of Heady Topper. There was a presence of hops surrounded by sweetness, either from the mal, the honey or a combination of both.Bottle was 3+ months old, wondering if that played a part in the lack of hop forwardness.

Flavors are exceptionally balanced between hops and a sweetness that does not overpower.
There is a slight grapefruit peel vibe amongst the malt and honey sweetness, yet all flavors blend amazingly well.For a 10% abv, this is crazy drinkable!

Mouthfeel is medium, on the rich side of sweetness without overdoing it.

Amazing drinkability in a high abv IIPA makes for good times. Would like to get some closer to the bottle date this Fall.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 04:11:27 | More by Hendry

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-23-2013 01:18:38 | More by mikeincharleston

Dpayne

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-23-2013 00:46:29 | More by Dpayne

Stickler

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-23-2013 00:42:57 | More by Stickler

JoeStepOner

Michigan

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-22-2013 22:49:37 | More by JoeStepOner

hodak1172

Michigan

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-22-2013 21:18:27 | More by hodak1172

Novabrewer

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-22-2013 20:46:50 | More by Novabrewer

velcrogrip

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-22-2013 18:24:32 | More by velcrogrip

zacky_U

Michigan

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-22-2013 16:57:21 | More by zacky_U

Bigtwin

Michigan

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-22-2013 16:29:42 | More by Bigtwin

RichGord

South Carolina

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-22-2013 13:03:51 | More by RichGord

scottyu27

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-22-2013 13:03:07 | More by scottyu27