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

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.78/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

After trailing Hopslam throughout the Chicago Area for about a month, I finally ran into at the bar next door to the bar I work at. I was shocked - it had been there the for weeks and I had no idea. I guess that's what I get for not going to see my friends who work there often enough. Anyhow, the one session I was able to have there, I got...well...a bit out of hand. I didn't realize that it was a 10%er. Fortunately, I found a six pack at my local grocery store and had the opportunity to come home and review it under far more responsible circumstances.

APPEARANCE: Golden, honey color with a foamy half inch head. Hundreds of tiny bubbles continued racing towards the surface even several minutes after the pour. Solid, thick lacing throughout the glass.

SMELL: A hint of honey gives way to a strong hop aroma. The smell almost seems as if it is designed to be a warning to some while also being a welcoming beacon to others. The first sniff heightens the anticipation of the first sip even further.

TASTE: One thing I generally don't like about intensely hoppy beers is how sweet they can get. Sure, some stay on the dry side, but many turn into almost a candy flavored beer. In Hopslam's case, the honey notes are certainly present, but the sweetness of the honey is not overwhelming - it blends nicely with the strong hop flavor.

FEEL: The mouth feel only adds to Hopslam's spectacular drink ability. Tiny bubbles hit the tongue right off the bat and continue to stay lively throughout the entire taste, but the bubbles don't bite.

OVERALL: One of the most drinkable and delicious beers I've had. Hopslam is somehow, intense, smooth, sweet, dry, bitter and delicious all at he same time. As one of my fellow bartenders put it - "it's like they tried to fit two beers into that one bottle and somehow they fit."

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2010 23:14:28 | More by StoneTSR

ChefBenhase

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-18-2013 18:26:01 | More by ChefBenhase

tbryan5

Louisiana

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-18-2013 17:02:51 | More by tbryan5

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-18-2013 16:45:22 | More by eyeenjoybeer

jono0101

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-18-2013 15:48:57 | More by jono0101

NJB145

Michigan

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-18-2013 12:11:39 | More by NJB145

Mayo2323

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-18-2013 02:56:39 | More by Mayo2323

Fargrow

North Dakota

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-18-2013 02:44:21 | More by Fargrow

mkirkland80

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-18-2013 02:10:02 | More by mkirkland80

Ebf

Illinois

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-17-2013 23:52:09 | More by Ebf

Newenglandcraftbrew

Maine

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-17-2013 21:20:32 | More by Newenglandcraftbrew

ColumbiaFlyingSaucer

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-17-2013 18:23:11 | More by ColumbiaFlyingSaucer

athesing10

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-17-2013 13:59:35 | More by athesing10

iHeartMNBeer

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-17-2013 04:51:38 | More by iHeartMNBeer

chossboss

Oregon

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-17-2013 04:25:28 | More by chossboss

TreyIsWilson

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-17-2013 04:21:51 | More by TreyIsWilson

myersk27

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-17-2013 03:46:43 | More by myersk27

Fcolle2

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-17-2013 00:18:32 | More by Fcolle2

michaeljstraub

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -17.2%

05-16-2013 20:02:51 | More by michaeljstraub

somethingcreative

Indiana

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-16-2013 19:25:35 | More by somethingcreative

carlosega

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-16-2013 18:27:51 | More by carlosega

Westuh

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-16-2013 18:25:50 | More by Westuh

BigbROB

Illinois

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-16-2013 17:28:39 | More by BigbROB

Benjiehorn

Illinois

4/5  rDev -11.7%

05-16-2013 14:34:28 | More by Benjiehorn

shiguy16

North Dakota

3.5/5  rDev -22.7%

05-16-2013 14:27:48 | More by shiguy16