So when is Hopslam hitting??

I made a trip to GR yesterday for work and stopped at Siciliano's on my way home. They still had a few cases of Hopslam out (maybe some in the back still?). I'd probably call before I went.

 

Please don't perpetuate that sort of idiotic behavior! The entire load of Hopslam goes out at the same time, with the same bottling date. He just ruined hundreds of dollars merchandise for nothing.

 

Uhhhh

 

Hahahaha. I think he was serious.

 

I do not understand the crazy fascination with this beer. I just don't.

 

I'm with ya. I tried it in 2014 when I was still more of a "surface" beer enthusiast and thought it was interesting, but I was wasn't sober enough to really appreciate it. Decided to grab a 6 pack last year and had a hard time getting through it. I find big IPAs with honey to be a bit cloying. It's good for what it is, and I might have a pint at a bar, but I won't be seeking it out.

I'm guessing it's a lot like KBS - hype carried over from past years when great examples of the style were less common. Once a year releases with low availability serve to perpetuate the hype. Lots of great DIPAs around these days, though...

 

I don't get the hype either. I don't think I will be buying again.

 

It's a gateway beer and we all know that gateway beers just lead to more hardcore beers.

 

Still one of the tastiest DIPA's on the planet, a great take on the style. Mars and Oracle are sooooo good. I would love to do a side by side taste test with this and a double Two Hearted Ale. That would be interesting.

 

Hopslam. Not even once

 

The faces of hopslam.

 

Did you mean, not serious?

 

I managed to find some downtown GR today while visiting my brother. Tuscan Market (I think that's the name) had about 20 cases of it sitting on the floor for $17.99 a 6pack. Definitely worth the money in my opinion. Worth the HYPE? That's another beast entirely...and nobody here can really answer that in a fair manner (as tastes really are subjective).

 

This beer used to be awesome, but it's taste has changed every year. Def won't be seeking it out again

 

I'm not trying to sounds like a dick when I say this but if you're a DIPA fan and you don't understand the hype behind Hopslam, it's likely you've only gotten into craft beer in the last couple years. A good part of Hopslam hype is all about respecting a legend that was on top of the DIPA game long before most brewers ventured into it (or were even around for that matter). The other part is related to the first, all these years later, it still tastes like a damn good representation of the style.

 

Or, it's entirely possible your palate has changed...in which case, it would be you and not the beer.

 

When Hopslam was created, there were a handful (maybe) of respectable IIPA's (hell...IPA's for that matter). Hopslam is the type of beer in which many other amazing brewers got their inspiration. Breweries like Bell's and Sierra Nevada are the REASON why craft beer exists on the level it does today. If a brewery like Bell's (insert any of the originals like Sierra Nevada) didn't take the chances they did, I'm willing to bet the craft game would be much different than it is today (see: non-existent).

Legendary is a status that FEW breweries will ever achieve, but Bell's essentially helped write the story of craft brewing in the United States (both from a commercial standpoint, as well as a home brewing).
@red94tt if you're around the Middleville area anytime, shoot me a BM. I'd love to share a beer or 2 with you.

 

A number of these posts can be summed up by pointing out Hopslam is #12 on the Beers of Fame list.

Don't forget to enjoy a couple on a yearly basis, regardless of if you've had better.

 

Seems the lions share went to the big boxes this year.
Read into that, the stores that don't "expensive".

 

I am all for some peeps "not buying into the hype" so the many, many fine folks who have enjoyed and still enjoy this tasty brew can access it more easily.