Where's the Bell's Hopslam 2019 love?

If we want to talk about lactose raspberry milkshake butterscotch IPAs not tasting like beer then that's a conversation I can at least understand.

To say a standard NEIPA like Julius, or Focal Banger, or Fort Point Pale Ale doesn't "taste like beer" is not something I understand.

 

I'll edit this a bit. I think the NEIPA opened the door for people to drink IPAs that don't like bitterness and a resinous prickly mouthfeel, in other words the old traditional flavors of an IPA. It don't think it's necessarily those who don't like beer. People I know who don't like beer still won't try a NEIPA.

 

The only thing NEIPA about Focal Banger is where it is brewed. That is just a great IPA.

 

You are splitting hairs to a point that makes your argument not very informative. Heady Topper arguably sits in between WC and NE IPAs. Focal Banger has much more in common with something like Julius than it does with something like Torpedo.

Seriously, if you love Focal and hate Julius and Fort Point Pale Ale then you have an awfully narrow tolerance for difference.

 

I don't hate Julius I just found it to be a forgettable beer. Overrated imo. Haven't drank fort point. I have had a fair share of Focal and it tastes like a good IPA.

 

You've moved the goalposts quite a bit from "beer that doesn't taste like beer" to "forgettable"

 

Splitting hairs, moving goalposts you have quite a way with words.

 

Back to Hopslam...

I too, find this year's version to have noticeably more honey flavor, which i enjoy. I missed it last year, and wondered if my palate had changed, or if I had been influenced by the many great NEIPAs that I've had since I first tried Hopslam. Knowing that their annual supply of honey will have subtle differences could explain the difference (or maybe they just added more honey!).

But what really gets me, after drinking so many hazy, complex, fantastic newer style IPAs, is that Hopslam 2019 is strikingly simple, and yet near perfection. It hits you with that bitterness at the front, then the hop flavors and the sweetness come through as if they're joined at the hip, and they stay together, gradually fading with the bitterness. Perfectly balanced.

So don't get me wrong... I'm all in on the new crazy, hazy, blends that are coming out every day. But it's nice to know that a much simpler beer, done to near perfection, can be every bit as enjoyable.

 

Yes @TheIPAHunter you are on an IPA quest. You are not the kind of beer drinker I was refrencing. I know you drink all IPAS and respect your ambition. If NEIPA makes you happy keep on drinking them my friend. Cheers to you.

 

Time to name drop here. Moylans Hopsickle, Port Brewing Hop 15, Victory Hop Devil, Surly Furious & Abrasive, Green Flash WCIPA (old version) and the classic RR Pliny the Elderl....just to name a few.

Edit: Also, how about that Mikkeller 1000 IBU!

 

Noted.

 

Used to be my favorite TGIF beer, nothing like it. I had the luck to be in PA at Sir Isaac Newton’s and both Hopsickle and Mongo were on tap, and I drank myself silly. Great stuff right there. I tried Hop Craik a few times and it’s another big beer, but it’s $16 when it’s around and I’m sure it’s older than hell. Tough pricing point.

 

As is Hopslam at my local Wegman's: over 22 bucks a 6-pack. I just walked on by.

Cheers!

 

Those 2 styles you mentioned have been brewed for hundreds of years. They are also very aquired tastes. Quads aren't many folks first beer and even personally I have hit or miss reactions from gueuze. You could give a 16 year old teen a NEIPA and they would be say cool this tastes like orange juice. I get what you are saying though. But I still stand by my comment.

 

Hmm. Quite a difference as HopSlam’s $18 a six here.

 

The ORIGINAL Stone Ruination. That and Palette Wrecker were absurd with how dry and bitter they were.

And to those around Ohio back in the day, Mean Manalishi from Hoppin' Frog was an absolute wrecking ball of bitterness as well.