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

tectactoe

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, MI, also many times out of the bottle. Pours a golden, light-amber with a moderate amount of haze to it, micro particles sift through the brew upon which a two-finger, creamy, light beige head rests and leaves nice amounts of fuzz on the glass. The aroma of this beer hits your nose mid-pour. Up close, things begin to get magical. Humongous citrus aromas; grapefruit, pineapples, tangerines, lemon zest - a wild, sweet, fruity explosion crowds your nostrils. Mild resinous, pine, and hop aromas make their way in as well - after all, this is HOPslam. The nose is absolutely brilliant and does nothing but get you excited to finally bring this one to your lips.

Take one sip - BOOM. MF'ing hop slammed. The hop bill is one of the finest and most robust out there, and you'll realize that when you finally gulp this sweet nectar. Piney, oily, resinous and slightly dank hops will seize your palate and engulf your taste buds immediately. This bitterness here is certainly dominant, but in the best way possible. After some time, some more floral and perfume-like aromas and tastes emerge, just icing on the already delicious hop cake. The heavy hop flavors are much more pronounced on the palate than in the aroma, which is to be expected. The citrus is not to be forgotten, either - it resides just under the thick layer of hoppy goodness; more pineapples, grapefruits, orange and lemon zest... Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

Not picking up much malt, if any at all. But at this point - who cares? This beer wasn't made for the malt. There's enough to give it some kind of a backbone, but that's about it. Any other non-pale malts were probably in very small quantity and just for the color. This beer is about the HOPS, anyways, and any malt distraction would do nothing but make me angry. The end of the sip and a touch of the aftertaste contains an extra dollop of sweetness - could this be from the honey, perhaps? It's hard to pick any actual "honey" flavors amidst the hop assault, but the sweetness of Hopslam doesn't go unnoticed and gets more vibrant as the beer gets warmer. Definitely a subtle, unobtrusive addition that sets Hopslam apart from other DIPAs even more so. The mouth is wet, slick, and on the thicker side, though not as lumpy as you may expect a 10% ABV beer to be. Carbonation is spot on, letting the flavors pop without being abrasive.

Hopslam is, simply put, one of the best DIPAs in the world. A fantastic hop profile that gives off an orgasmic aroma and a wonderfully complex yet drinkable flavor profile. Despite the 10% ABV, the alcohol does nothing more than provide a teeny, tiny bit of warmth. One of the most drinkable DIPAs you'll ever find. If you're looking for a hop explosion, look no further - get yourself some HOPSLAM.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2012 03:25:56 | More by tectactoe

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