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

hctap00

4.61/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank through my half-case so quickly that I nearly forgot to do a review, so here goes.

For me, this is what an IPA should look like. Clear and golden with a creamy white head. None of my pours yielded too thick a head, which I found a bit surprising.

As soon as I pour it, the aroma fills the room. Not overpowering, but intoxicating nonetheless. Fantastic hop bouquet. Pine dominates. Very sweet. The fruity aromas are brighter and more tropical than in most IPAs.

Taste is near perfect as far as I am concerned. Piney hops upfront. Seems like it might get overwhelming when the sweet malt backbone kicks in just enough. More pine with some citrus towards the end. The finish is what really distinguishes Hopslam for me. A subtle yet still assertive fruity blast, pineapple for me, that rounds out the beer perfectly.

Still one of my all time favorites. I will buy it every year.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 07:12:48 | More by hctap00

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