Bell's Hopslam 2016

Got my six pack from my local Wegmans on Wednesday. They got less than expected and rationed one per person.

Good, but the taste is starting to lose its luster in my opinion. Might be because I've drank so many more IPAs. First time I ever had Hopslam 3 years ago I thought it was the greatest thing ever.

Now, it's still top tier, but it feels like going through the motions when I drink it.

 

Every year, beer geeks complain that Hopslam sucks. It "hasn't been as good as last year" for the past 8 years. But every year, it flies off the shelves. Why? So that beer geeks can complain about how much it sucks? SMH.

 

I can only assume my post prompted this. Perhaps it didn't but I need to clarify.

I'm not saying it sucks. Its a top tier beer. Despite this though, as more and better IPAs are produced, the wonderment of HS decreases. Especially at its price. I don't think I saw anyone here really say it sucks.

It happens with all good beers. They get replaced replaced by other good beers. And if the overall taste is tinkered with too much, it can take a hit.

 

Yet some beers just remain great and stand up against the new competition

 

Just picked up a couple 6 packs at $14.99. Canned 01/27/16

 

Finally got to try this highly sought after brew for the first time at only seven days old, kudos to Bell's for making sure this reached South Florida as fresh as possible. With a canning date of 02/02/16 and with the name "Hopslam" I was expecting to have my teeth kicked in by hoppy dankness. Upon cracking open the can I found that the aroma was definitely not what I had expected. To my surprise the taste was also far from what I had envisioned: my tongue was greeted by a sweet maltiness that kept the desired bitter hops at bay. I understand now why many BA's choose to call this brew "Maltslam". Don't get me wrong this is a very delicious brew, but with the name "Hopslam" I would expect this to be much more hop forward. Kinda wish I picked up one six pack @$22.99 instead of two. Honestly I was more impressed with the Sixpoint Hi-Res that I tried today. Will probably pick up a six pack of this next year for the novelty as well as to see if the next batch will live up to it's name. I had a good laugh the other day with one of my local Bell's distributors who shared my viewpoint after I asked him how he felt about "Hypeslam".

Tl;dr. If you enjoy IIPA's that are very well balanced by a high malt profile then you will likely enjoy this brew, but if you are looking to have your taste buds slammed by hops as the name suggests then you will likely be disappointed.

 

I think you need to understand Hopslam was first released in 2004. IPAs have evolved considerably in the last few years. And the last 12 years? A touch more probably. And by evolve in this context I mean tons and tons of hops per barrel these days to the point where some folks are disappointed in an IPA if there are not hop cones being consumed and getting caught in their throat.

 

May I suggest everyone needs to try Hop Ju Ju , by Fat Heads . It will blow your mind.......

 

That does make a lot of sense. I could see Hopslam being considered an exceptionally hoppy IIPA back in the day.

I have been dying to give Hop Ju Ju a try after being impressed by Head Hunter but it doesn't seem that it gets distributed to my area of South Florida

 

Thank you Larry Bell and Co. for brewing my favorite beer. Always a joy. I like cans over bottles- makes it easier to stock up the fridge!

 

Well, being from Michigan I was pumped to find this beer. That said with all the other beers available now it's pretty meh. Nice and grapefruit, citrus fruits forward. Decent malts balancing it out, but that just doesn't seem like the thing nowadays.

 

Have had 4 cans so far and had it once on-tap ... seemed better on-tap, but still pretty great from the can. Still one of my favorite DIPAs out there.

 

No actual experience, but i've heard it does not last long whence opened. The best way to go is to attach a tap on the top of the mini.

However, if you plan on splitting it with some buddies, then just use it regularly and enjoy.

 

im still a bit of a newb on here and appreciate much of the wisdom from these boards but holy crap some of you are spoiled. complaining about a $20+ 6er for a great beer. Living in philly I get to enjoy living in a great city but I could easily spend $20+ for a far inferior 6 pack. Some beer is going to be more expensive. Not worth it for you? No one cares. stop complaining about prices and don't buy it. Sincerely- my $35 sixer of Hopslam was so worth it that I bought a second one.

 

Stop complaining about our complaining.
But seriously, it's easy to complain when you can buy a beer that tastes better for $5-$10 less for a 6 pack. Hopefully, they won't complain this year and repeat the process next year.

 

I don't think retail price on this ($20 a six, what I paid) is a lot, when compared to other IIPAs. I also don't think this is a rare or limited beer, at least where I live. Since Bells has been available here I've had no problems getting this beer. The other day I stopped in a shop I frequent looking for some Grimm and they had a pallet of Hopslam sitting there, no lines or hysteria. I picked up a six and it's great as usual.

With so many other great beers out there, it seams that the novelty/hype of it is moving along as it has and will for other great beers. Five years from now there will probably similar sentiment for Heady, Grimm, Hill etc. But it wont make them any less great, just maybe more available to us non-truck chasers.

 

I made no effort, I know I can get better daily IPAs here, it will be on tap somewhere I'm sure, so I'll have a glass and I'll be good. I'm guessing it's probably 18-20 here, we seem to get a decent price structure compared to other states on most special releases. If you really like a beer you certainly can't complain about less that $4 a bottle, hell BMC crap in any bar will cost you more.

 

That's the best part. I can walk into my favorite bottle shop and buy one can or one case, sip a small pour of something, and walk out happy. The heck with the nervous service.

 

Bought my allotment of two sixers and can't finish them off and I don't know why. I actually have been reaching past the Hopslam for the four month old Celebration, thought I bought too much, nope

Going to do a side by side with Hi-Res even though I know the winner will cover the spread by sixpoints

 

Luckily I was in a bar in NYC last night, so I had a Hopslam on tap. Haven't had it in a few years. Verrrrrrry sweet.