Hopslam..

For as many interesting things that Bells and Founders get "hyped" for, I think it is their stouts and porters when taken across the spectrum that offer a more impressive portfolio than any other readily available brewer here in Colorado. MANY other breweries around here make either a fantastic stout or RIS (or barrel aged stout), but almost none come to mind who also can accompany those beers with a great everyday drinking porter with the possible exception of Left Hand (and I personally don't enjoy Black Jack that much).

Don't get me wrong - I don't think anybody intentionally buys a given beer while contemplating the brewers entire portfolio, as we all just want great individual beers placed at our fingertips. But that commitment and quality adherence to those particular styles is a big reason why I'd be excited to see both Founders and Bells on a more frequent basis.

FIS (like ManBearPat this is one of my all-time beers), Bell's Expedition, FBS, Double Cream Stout, and Kalamazoo Stout are all worth checking out. But Founders Porter in particular is absolutely as good as it gets, and they make that available year-round. For those that enjoy that style and haven't tried theirs, definitely give that one a shot if they ever start distro to Colorado.

 

When I lived on the East Coast, a premium six-pack like Hopslam would go for up to $18 and it wasn't a big deal since I was paying $11 - $12 for the run of the mill stuff. Now that I'm paying less than $10 for run of the mill stuff, the higher price makes me think twice. Is Hopslam really $1 a bottle better? The answer is yes, for one sixer. I used to buy two.

 

anyone know if it's hit Boulder liquor stores yet?

 

I was told it came and went at hazels yesterday. Not sure about anywhere else.

 

They did a 1 per person limit when they got a few crowlers of Juicy Bits in last Friday. I'd be bummed if they didn't do a limit on Hopslam and I already missed it

 

A friend went yesterday evening and was told that they got 10 cases. They had sold out of them by then. I'm more bummed to hear I missed crowlers of juicy bits!

 

Cases dropping in parker

 

I haven't had Hopslam in over ten years, and it tasted great last night. I've forgotten how "quaffable" this beer can be (if one is allowed such a term for a 10% ABV DIPA). I almost feel bad for the people picking this up right now in warm locales like Florida or SoCal where you can still sit out on a patio most days in February, and the temptation to bring a few too many of these cans could result in getting too HopSlammed.

Wait - it's going to be 60 and sunny this weekend in the Denver-area. Maybe I'm preaching to myself!

 

Picked up a 6pk for $15.99 at Liquor Mart this afternoon. They appeared to be pretty stocked up w/ no posted limit.

 

Awesome, thanks for the heads up! Grabbed a sixer around 6pm, looks like theyve posted a 2 per customer limit now. They've also got bottles of Pliny in the walk-in in case anyone wanted to do a side by side of hype-PAs

 

Really? Really guys? With all the other IPAs out there now you guys still love this stuff??

I know. I'm just being that guy... but, really??

I could immediately name 10 IPAs brewed in CO that I'd rather have... just sayin'

 

Just had a couple cans. It's... OK stuff. Had it last year fresh, it was better. It's got this uncomfortable tang to it this year. Very odd.

 

I thought about going out and getting some, and then I thought:

-melvin, 2x4 day this weekend
-odd13
-pipeworks
-melvin
-la cumbre
-odell
-melvin

 

Oh, and you forgot Melvin.

 

Hi friends,

We frequently put limits on beers, particularly small allotments. Hopslam was our quickest selling beer in a long time, with no hoarders trying to by a bunch. We get Michiganders and Midwesterners looking for Bells every day, despite their infrequent distribution in Colorado.

Best,
Hazel's

 

I think he may have forgotten a few others as well...

 

Had it yesterday afternoon. Its pretty good, but there are literally like 20-30 CO-brewed IPAs I would prefer. Actually, the two-hearted draft I had prior to it was incredibly good though...


That being said- glad they brought some Expo bottles dated 11/2015 as that was fantastic.

 

Does this mean 2015 Expedition bottles in CO? If yes, this excites me wayyyy more than any amount of Hypeslam.

I did have a can of it last week in Cali and it was enjoyable. But I'll echo the above crowd, there are 20+ better local (and semi-local Melvin/La Cumbre...) IPAs I can find regularly on the shelf.

 

Yes. The exact date on the bottles I got was 11/06/15.
I've never really been able to hold on to one past 18 months because its just so damn good at 12-18 months.