I cellared Hopslam...

If you like a malty beer and aren't sensitive to the stale hop flavors, I guess aged hopslam might be for you. I personally wouldn't buy it more than a month out from bottling, but I know other people still dig it around that point. I can't think of anything going on that is exciting in the malt profile that would make me want to drink it without the hop flavor and aroma. That being said, it's only a few dollars for a bottle so tucking one away for a year until the next release to try side by side with another hopslam isn't going to break the bank.

 

I did an '11 and a '12 side-by-side this year right after the '12 came out and honestly, the '11 wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I know it's a well-worn joke around these parts, but the hoppiness of Hopslam falls off FAST. If you don't drink it within a few weeks of its release, you don't get the full experience. It tasted about the same after a year as it did after 2 months.

 

I am "cellaring" some Devil Dancer. I almost prefer the hops mellowed. They are a bit much when freshie.