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

kevanb

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It pours a dark straw, honey color with a nice finger of white bubbly head on top. Nice cloudy texture, but no noticeable sediment or hop residue floating in the glass, a bubble or two rising to the top of the glass. The aroma is great, big citrus character, grapefruit, lemon zest, some pineapple, and a nice amount of pine makes its presence known. Alcohol is definitely present, tingles the nose ever so slightly, a faint biscuit aroma is there as well. Bitter hops greet your tongue right off the bat, grapefruit is there, big pine notes, much more pronounced than the aroma leads on, a big sweetness from the honey comes through that plays well with the natural sweetness from the higher levels of alcohol. Faint biscuit is again at the finish, but this is a bitter hop monster, but that dash of sweetness really helps this one, it goes down so easily. Very crisp body, much bubblier and zingier than the appearance leads on, yet still has a big wet punch to it.

Verdict: This is a slam dunk from Bell’s, and with a year round beer like Two Hearted, it comes as no surprise. Big bitter hops with a nice sweetness that makes this one go down dangerously fast for 10% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 05:20:02 | More by kevanb

dmadsen

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-25-2013 16:55:25 | More by dmadsen

mikerap100

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-25-2013 06:06:24 | More by mikerap100

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