Bell's Hopslam (2018)

It probably all depends where you live. Being I live in Michigan I can get Hopslam pretty easily and fresh which I always found to be my favorite hoppy IPA. Now we don't get greats like Heady or Pliney or any Melvins or Treehouses. Stone is great when Hopslam is not in season but as far as Lagunitas Waldo goes its a great beer and only Lagunitas I really ever enjoyed but can't say it's a better price bracket than Hopslam. I can easily get a 6pk of Hopslam for $17, Waldo was tough to get last year. I could only get 1 bottle for $5. 6 of those would equal $30. Maybe Hopslam isn't economically priced in some states but in Michigan it's a better buy than Waldo. Only hoppy beer I can think of at better price is New Holland Hopnotix but Hopnotix is not as flavorful or hoppy and is lacking in abv. But only costs $15 yet it's year round and not as special as Hopslam. Hopslam has that piney tongue piercing hoppiness that I have only seen Stone and Lagunitas Waldo having but Hopslam is cheaper/same price in Michigan. Cheers!

 

This is the beer that turned me to the hoppy side, but that was a long time ago, it was a truly earth shaking beer. It's not the same beer that it was. Ah,, to be honest no interist at all at any price, well on tap I'd take a shot, but I wouldn't buy volume. It's a shame a great beer went to mediocre.

 

I think your phrasing is a little off here. The beer has not changed. Your taste preferences have changed over the years.

 

One of the beers that got me into craft over a decade ago.

But now, it just doesn't do much for me. It's an easy pass at $25/sixer, especially when Two Hearted is next to it for $9.

 

Just once I'd like to see a thread about a classic, fantastic beer like this without any haters/complainers. But I guess this is the internet.

I just wish I had occasion to get a mini keg, because those are awesome.

 

Yeah, if I look at it compared to some Melvin beers, which would make a good substitute, they will be comparably priced. It'll all depend on what's fresher and easier to get for me, but a hint: the past two years Hopslam has been so limited that I could only get a few singles anyway. So I'll just get my two cans and that'll be that .

 

Which is why it's good to live on the NJ side of the river and frequent PA often Long live Shangy's and my small hole in the wall general store that stocks the good stuff.

 

No, I don't think so in this case. I've had enough beers to blame it on my palate , but in this case it's definately not the same beer it was 10 years ago. Ya, I know we hear that about X beer when it's released has changed yada yada, but I believe it's true in this case.

 

I don't. I buy 90% of what I drink at Binny's. I think their customer service is top notch.

 

HYPESLAM....

 

Are people actually still excited for this........
Terrible beer.

 

It amazes me how some beers can be so hyped that people [think] they should go nuts trying to find it. Not mentioning names, but I had a "top rated" beer that was no better than one of my local offerings. Is it name recognition? Marketing genius?

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/17112/

You may not like the beer, but to state as a "fact" that it's terrible is just incorrect, even in the relatively fact-free world we now live in.

And yes, damn jazzed as I am every year!

 

Craft Beer started two years ago for some people...

 

It’s a bitter thick syrupy mess.
Maybe 7 years ago it was relevant. But I can find better Dipas on the shelf constantly with out chasing them. Not to mention how expensive it is.
Maybe I am a hater in which case don’t mind me. If chasing some shitty dipa around grocery stores makes you happy go ahead. More for the new money’s.......

 

OK let me clarify..... if it is a regularly found item on your local shelves, I guess you are not part of the argument here. BUT, for the stuff that is hyped and not locally attained, it seems as though people lose their minds trying to find it. A beer with 14,000 ratings on BA was good, but i have local stuff that is very comparable in all aspects. My question is what takes a beer to that level that everyone needs to have it / try it.... maybe the conquest aspect?