Hopslam Season

I did my best to not let my face show it, but she could tell that I didn't love the beer. I was overly thankful for her finding it for me though, and she understood.

Aren't the "hipster elitists" the ones that rave about this beer? I mean, it has a crazy high rating and is pretty well sought after here. I think the people that don't like it are simply looking for something else in their DIPAs. For me, that something else is balance, which Hopslam certainly doesn't have.

 

I won't be making any effort to get any. If I happen to find a case on the shelf somewhere then maybe I'll buy it. To many other good IPAs out there that I can easily get any day of the year.

I also know the stores hate Hopslam season. One of my usual places told me the calls started in early November this year

 

Hopslam is a great IPA. Would much rather have it than overrated Pliny. Abrasive comes out next month as well.

 

I had it last year for the first time... seriously overhyped. I dub thee Hypeslam.

 

Good beer but I no longer buy it. Prices have been creeping up and it's so hyped up that it's become a hassle to get. They hype is great for craft beer in general.

 

My first Slam many years ago changed the way I looked at DIPA's, but now not so much whether it's changed or my palate has shifted, don't really know. But no I won't spend $17 bucks on a six, might grab one on tap just to check it out though.

 

I'll probably try and slip a sixer with a buddy. Don't need to spend $17 on this when there are better DIPAs out there (can't wait for Sucks!) but would still like some.

 

These are my answers......down a pint and then go home to enjoy Nugget Nectar. Better on the wallet, darn enjoyable.

 

You mean HYPEslam?

 

agreed on many points here, including some not so popular:

price point and scarcity due to increased demand have made this beer less desirable to me over time (I had no problem spending/scoring $70 cases just three years ago, now I'm lucky to get one sixer for $21).

That said, I still believe that it is in the top five, nationwide, of the old guard DIPA's (the amount of new DIPA's in the last few years is staggering and I'm sure there are some that will rival it once I've tasted them all )

finally, I also agree that last two batches have been slightly different from previous years. Not worse, mind you, but the hop character last year was much different than I remember.

Bonus Opinion: IMHO old hopslam is nasty. I try to drink all my IPA's immediately, like within a week or two. Back when I could get more, it'd last me a couple months and still be drinking fine, just not as floral up front, but by six months the entire hop profile has faded and the sweetness need to balance it is overwhelming. Like I said, this is just my .02, and your mileage may vary...

 

Even though this year's batch has not been released yet, I am not buying it because it is already too old!!!! All the "hops" are gone.....

 

I am a Hopslam fan...

As for the prices.. Whenever i have seen it on tap it is a $7 pint. Ill pay the $18 for six because that is a good price at $3 per bottle.

 

It never is!

 

Faded hops jokes are.........old. There is no doubt Hopslam is not nearly as good with age as when fresh. Fact.

I'll get some probably, I can run up to Shangys and get a case. Great beer.

 

Add me to the camp that was underwhelmed by hopslam. I'm sure it was revolutionary when it first came out, but with the explosion of popularity in the segment I feel like hopslam has been surpassed

 

We get plenty of Hopslam here in WI - on tap and bottles. I will pick up a case and have it on tap a couple of times. I like it and understand that there are as good and better DIPA's out there, but Hopslam was my first and always will be special to me....I'm tearing up now just thinking about that first time I had 4 pints of it on tap, not realizing it was 10.5%, falling off my bar stool, my wife driving home, stopping so I could hang my head out the car door, waking up with a hang over unlike any other since college...good times, good times....I think I'll make it 2 cases this year.

 

Double Crooked Tree and 120 Minute begin as Barleywines in the first place...

 

$17-20 for a 6-pack of DIPA is way too much. Especially when so many people don't care for it.

 

Truth. Every time I see that green box and the art work I get nostalgic for the first time I stumbled on it on the shelf, brought it home and took that first glorious sip.

 

Hopslam is delicious stuff. I look forward to the Sixer I get every year!