Bell's Hopslam-limited release-WHY?

But that is indeed the reasoning here, right? Brew a beer periodically (i.e., seasonally) and this can indeed generate hype and associated pricing. My local retailers are charging over 22 bucks a 6-pack for Hopslam. There is still plenty around.

Cheers!

 

Hive Collapse is real bro, honey is expensive.

 

I am not sure where you are in SC but I am near Florence and it is still around here. I passed on it this year.

 

I saw it in the cooler at Craft & Draft in Columbia, SC.

 

I too passed. I could not justify $22+ for a 6-pack of this beer.

Cheers!

 

Don't worry double Two Hearted will be here in a few months and that will be nice. Maybe better then slam.

 

I purchased it for $19 at Total Wine just to try it and see what the hype was all about. It's pretty good, but not good enough to justify the asking price imho. I had no urge or desire to buy another.

Personally, I'm just as content drinking a Founders Centennial IPA, I found the Hopslam to be a tad too sweet for my tastes.

 

Mrs. Z was a tenured professor of advertising at UF; she calls this once a year release “scarcity marketing”. The brand builds loyalty, creates an almost impossible ability for many to obtain, then quickly sells out, satisfying those who obtain the product and building on the mystique for the unsatiated. It’s actually quite effective marketing, helps sustain high prices for the “scarce” good, and we see it all the time now in beer world. Six packs arrived here in SWFL last week and are flying off the shelves at $19.99 a 6pack. Better luck next year. Cheers!

 

Trader Joe's in Dallas got a decent allotment and they're only $17.99 for a six-pack. Still not worth it, in my opinion, but I suppose that's beside the point. I could buy TWO six-packs of beer I find just as--if not more--enjoyable than Hopslam with that money. Which I did when I passed by it yesterday.

 

I'm enjoying one right now. And I agree that making it year round would destroy whatever hype Bells has left for this beer. I look forward to it every January. $18.69 per six pack at my store and still plenty left. Are there better beers, yes of course. But it's still damn good IMO.

 

Most places in may area were selling 6-packs for $19.99. But a local bottle shop that I frequent was also selling single cans for $3.99. Hadn't had it in 5 years so I was hoping to pick up just a couple cans. Unfortunately they'd sold out by the time I got there.

 

It very well could be a capacity and growth issue and not necessarily an intentional limitation of the product. Bell's has been expanding into new states this past year, so the Hopslam needs to be shared by more markets. The brewery has been undergoing a major expansion but I don't know if any of that capacity has come online yet. And to compound the issue, the demand for Two Hearted has been increasing and it uses a lot of the capacity and must also be shared in these same new markets. Hopefully the future product will come closer to the demand.

P.S. If it's not too late, check out your Costco. Many reports are that they are selling Hopslam for $13.99. This may depend on state laws, but many Costcos are required to admit non-members who are looking to purchase just alcohol products.

 

Unless you like expensive sweet malty IPAs you did not miss anything. Tons sitting on the shelves in vt.

 

I love limited release ipas/ dub ipas. Why? You get them fresh!! I wish hop stoopid and some others were the same way. I saw stoopid five-six weeks old ( warm of course) this year and jumped on it, and it was only only because a Giant supermarket just started selling beer and for a relatively fresh shipment. If slam were year round literally no one would ever get it fresh.

 

True in FL, to an extent... Costco (we’re members) has an adjoining liquor store that has to let non members in to buy liquor...but the beer and wine are sold in the main member’s only store...

 

Pretty much exactly what I was going to reply, but substitute Torpedo for Founders. Never had it, tried it, too sweet (for my taste), too expensive, but it hides the booze pretty well. When it comes around next year I will pass on it. I didn't follow social media to get it, I walked into my regular beer shop and picked it up. Bell's has so many other good offerings that I hope eventually make their way to Maine.

 

$13.99 is about where I feel this beer's price point should be for a 6er.

 

I can attest to this. Since it appeared in Maine and on grocery store shelves, This is THE ONLY craft beer I have ever seen be completely out or down to the last four pack in the grocery store craft section every time I am shopping. That's not to say it's hard to find, but it sells consistently and quickly.

 

They released it in 5L micro kegs and regular sized 5 gallon kegs to certain accounts as well so that might be part of why the short supply in 12 oz form.