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

amcmaho1

New Mexico

3.95/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to GabrielM for this beer. Cheers again Gabe!

Bottled 1/9/12
Poured into snifter

Appearance: Pours a nice honey golden, with a bright white head. Very little head retention, though there is some nice lacing. Really clear beer, with a rich color.

Smell: I know this is a notorious hop-bomb, but I'm not necessarily getting the hops on the nose like I wish I was. I really do get a slight bit of vienna sausages and garlic (do they use simcoe in this?). Other than those aromas, which strangely enough I'm enjoying, there are some piney and resinous hop notes. I'm wondering if this was a bit fresher, if the more clean hop aromas were more prominent. There's some definite malt sweetness, and some slight earthy/possibly honey balancing out the hops.

Taste: I may have been missing some of the other hops on the nose, but they really come through in the taste. Nice assertive bitterness alongside some sweeter flavors...and some definite alcohol. This is a huge DIPA, and I have to say that I personally feel that it tastes vastly better than it smells (I'd love to try a 2 day old bottle though haha).

Mouthfeel: This is a pretty aggressive beer. The beer feels pretty thick and syrupy, it's dry, and it pretty much kills your palate...I think it's supposed to do all of these things though haha.

Overall: I certainly appreciate trying this beer, but I can't say that I really fell in love with it like everyone else. It's a stellar DIPA and certainly worthy of it's hype, but I personally prefer a more fruity/citrusy hop profile on a DIPA. Regardless, I'd seek this out again...maybe offer up my whole cellar for a fresh bottle (enter sarcasm)

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 02:55:11 | More by amcmaho1

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

ackeeper

Illinois

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-22-2013 02:01:06 | More by ackeeper

aleman39

California

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-21-2013 21:18:16 | More by aleman39

dcloeren

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-21-2013 20:43:40 | More by dcloeren

jakecattleco

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-21-2013 19:28:28 | More by jakecattleco

Andreias21

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-21-2013 17:09:45 | More by Andreias21

PlinyBeMiney

California

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-21-2013 06:46:59 | More by PlinyBeMiney