Bell's Hopslam (2018)

Each fermenter will have its own pitch and dry hop charge, so that's what I'd go with, unless they are further blended. The question I'd wonder about is the tolerance allowed for the end result being on profile.

Batch variation does happen, and some breweries are better at managing it than others.

 

I guess Wisconsin must have some badass beer prices then. But yes please share these $10 6pks @ 10% or higher. No 9% because Hopslam is 10% so that's what should be compared to, so yeah let's see the list.

 

Your correct on the pitch (drauflaussen employed?) Dry hops will be the same rate, but from different packages of pellets. I don’t know the size of the Brite tanks they use for bottling or canning, if they do blend or not.

My own experience is that there are differences in what I have had from draft and can in the same year.

 

I usually pick up a can or two. I think I'll grab a six pack this year. I like that balance of malt and hops in this brew, gives it a rich body.

 

Last year's batch hung around for months in my area. I think the stores finally sent it back. Hopefully they will take the hint and go for $13/6 pack max. Everyone else makes a beer as good or almost as good in 6 or 12 packs for less. I paid $13 for a 12 of Hop Bullet yesterday while Hopslam is barely better.

 

Perhaps for your preferences, but Enjoy By tastes just fine to me for my palate and preferences up to a couple weeks after its 'expiration date'.

Everyone is entitled to their likes/dislikes. But when you state your personal preferences/assessment in verbiage and tone that resemble description of fact, that's when you rub folks the wrong way. Say what you mean all you want, but provide appropriate context and caveats and your message is likely to be better received, acknowledged, and appreciated. YMMV

 

My own experiences are too few to get a handle on it, myself, but it's only reasonable to expect some sort of variation to exist. Especially considering the amount of hops used. Sometimes these things do get overblown, though.

 

Hopslam in one very polarizing beer, perhaps it's the hoppy equivelent to BCBS as far as triggering strong emotions.

I don't trash any beer or any opinion any BA has had on any particular beer, at least I don't think I've had. We're all different people like certain beers. But I certinly feel comfortable enough saying I'm quite sure this beer as it is now is not the same beer it was 10 years ago. Does that make it bad? No it doesn't. The Hopslam I've had the last few years IMO has changed, it's sweet and overly malty for me, and it's expensive, but that's neither here nor there, and the 10%abv magnifies it a bit. My first introduction to this beer was a light bright fruity bomb of a beer, easily worth driving an hour or so. I get palates change, but I'm very careful with the hoppy beers I drink, although it's my favorite style I rarely drink them. Ya, that makes sense. But I've revisited many beers over the years and they were like they're always been. I don't think I have an overly sensitive palate, but in this case I'm quite sure it's not my palate that's changed, but that doesn't make it bad or people who like it wrong. I don't like sour beer, but that's me, most do, so what?

 

I have to disagree. Hop Bullet is alright but nowhere as tastey or hoppy as Hopslam. Truthfully I kind've regret buying 6 of Hop Bullet I would much rather have Centennial or Two-Hearted. To me Hop Bullet wasn't piney enough.

 

Dale, I am uncertain that I tasted a Hopslam from 10 years ago but I can state that the majority of my drinking experiences (mostly draft) from the past 5-6 years are consistent with what you describe here: too malty sweet for my personal palate. The one exception is the bottle of Hopslam that I had two years ago (2016); that particular beer did not come off as too sweet for me.

Needless to say but in the land of PA where beer selection is great but pricing isn't great Hopslam is expensive here. Given that more often than not these beer comes off as too sweet for my palate there is little motivation for me to pay the high prices charged for this beer.

I will buy Nugget Nectar instead.

Cheers!

 

In fairness, Hopslam is made with honey which I understand adds some incremental cost to brewing a beer. The extent to which this ingredient impacts the actual cost to make the beer, I don't know.

 

I don’t quite understand the cost ratios of doing a beer like this, and I can see where it might cost a bit more, but I’d think the fact that it’s seasonal and limited is the biggest reason it’s $19 or more a six.

 

Dale, FWIW that is the way I see it too.

Cheers!

 

You have google, use it. Sorry I don't participate in a who's dick is bigger then mine contest, which is where you're going here.

 

Too many to list. Google it! It's not hard.

 

Not googling because I think you're full of shit but you could have at least named one double/triple IPA of 10%abv that is a $10 6 pack. And google isn't going to give me your retailers prices I don't live in Wisconsin so I don't know what's available there but yeah going to go with you're full of shit.

 

OK, one then.

 

I'm in a unique situation with Hopslam as last year was the first time I got to try it. Seems like most people here have been drinking it for years, well before the current craft/local beer explosion. Long before anybody had ever tried anything from Tree House or heard of a New England-style IPA.

Having tried a lot of that new stuff already, I went into that first Hopslam with my expectations in check. Granted if I first tried this one five years ago my mind would have been blown, but I ended up really enjoying it still. It definitely doesn't fit the mold of the IPAs most people seek out these days as it was definitely sweeter with a sturdy malt backbone. Which is fine. I can still enjoy that kind of a big, abrasive double IPA because honestly it is harder to seek out a beer brewed like Hopslam than it is a hazy/juicy pint of hop juice which is what the style has become. Mostly every brewery that pops now up wants to mimmick that model which is understandable since it has proven financially successful for lots of places.

Before anybody thinks I'm attacking the current crop of IPAs, I love those beers as well. Head High, Trillium, especially Other Half even though most of their IPAs taste so similar. It is just kind of frustrating with how saturated the market has gotten with IPAs in general and how some people just refuse to spread their beer wings and venture into other styles. It's a big world out there, no need for anybody to limit themselves.

 

Well said but see that might be why I like Hopslam. I'm more a fan of the tongue piercing bite of a good hop smash west coast IPA such as Lagunitas Waldo and anything Stone and Greenflash West Coast IPA (although haven't had it in like 5 years). My take on a NE IPA are beers like M-43 and Boss Tweed which is Michigan brewed as well as SN's hazy IPA's and I'd prefer Hopslam over these. I'd love to try Trillium, Alchemist, and Tree House but they don't get delivered here. Only time we got Tree House was when they collaborated with SN, which heard is nowhere close to a true Tree House. So with that said Hopslam is always a huge hit in Michigan because it's one of the best double IPA'S we get. And maybe one day I'll try Trillium, Tree House, and Alchemist to see how special the NE IPA truly is.

 

As someone who is fairly new to craft im always in search of variety. I've really gotten into DIPAS within the last year. I've never had Hopslam before but based on the rating it seems like it's worth checking out. Personally $20.00 for a 6er doesn't seem outrageous to me. Although my local bottle shop sells singles for most things. Which is usually the route I take when trying new stuff. That said if it's not at my three go to places I won't chase it. Maybe I will like it maybe not. I will let my taste buds be the judge.