Holding onto that Hopslam

Sounds like our hop preferences our different. I personally prefer H-Slam as young as possible when the hops seem freshest... To me the hop character changes quickly, even week to week (although the cans seem to slow down the change compared to bottles).

There are many internet articles on the effects of oxygen on perceived hop aroma and flavor in IPAs and IIPAs. I have noticed this the most on my own home-brewed IPAs. Even with taking extra care to limit oxygen exposure prior to kegging I get a 3 to 4 week window before the hop aroma starts to fall off quickly and the flavor starts to change. The more hops I use, the faster the change seems to be. The pros have better equipment and methods to extend that window of delicious hop-itude but eventually all good things must come to an end!

 

The last few years, Hopslam was best as fresh as possible. However, this year, I noticed my super-fresh cans to be a bit disappointing.

Kegged Hopslam is the best, though. I never turn down an opportunity to have it on draft.

 

It is to me different beer with age, but I like them both. I think I may actually also prefer it with a few months on it, but we'll never know this year, mine is history...

 

Based on this site, any IPA is not worth drinking after 5 minutes of age.

 

Right? I totally agree. Hoptimum, Resin and Enjoy By are all much hotter than Hopslam.

Regarding freshness and letting Hopslam age.....as Jean Girard said in Talledega Nights: No....................NO!

 

Just drink it the way you prefer it. Tastes vary.

 

The best way to enjoy Hopslam is to pass on it... not worth the hype at all.

 

I'll be testing this out starting after six months and then a year as I finally got enough this year to be able to actually do it. Should be a fun experiment

 

Drank a hopslam tonight, canned on jan 15th. Tastes wonderful. I bought 3 six packs and wasn't really feeling it fresh. Anyone else think its gotten better with a few months?