The Oracle vs. Hopslam

Oracle is drier, more bitter and certainly not more balanced. You would be hard pressed to find a DIPA more balanced than Hopslam. With that said I do prefer Oracle to Hopslam. It is dry, drinkable, huge citrus flavor and a nice bite.

 

Yes I like the Oracle, as it is more of a bitter resinous beer than Hopslam. I do like Hopslam too.

 

According to an email from Bell's regarding a clone recipe that has gone around the IBUs in Hopslam is only in the upper 60s whereas Oracle is 100+. There is a significant difference. Bell's also mentions the need for dextrins in Hopslam to prevent it from drying out too much, I doubt that was a concern for Oracle.

This fresh I agree with the juicy adjective, it is very citrus forward. Hopslam balances the citrus with the floral, that may change the perception of some.

 

Same experience a few months ago for me! I like The Oracle better than Hopslam and definitely better than both Plinys.

 

I've never had the Oracle on tap but in bottles it's darn close to an undrinkable mess for me. Tons of caramel malt, tons of booze, and bitterness for bitterness' sake. It really borders on American Barleywine territory and one of only a small handful of Bell's beers that I don't absolutely love. My tongue hurts just thinking about how boozy it is.

 

honestly after last years batches I think I like Oracle more.

 

i have only had it on tap and it is pretty much a bitter and dry west coastish ipa.

 

Hopslam juicy as in juicy fruit , to me oracle has a spice complexity & bitter that hopslam has a sweetness but not overbearing . I've had a lot of them , both
Very good Michigan proud
Enuf said

 

Word it still out regarding distribution. Many out of staters have heard from reps it is tap only. Local stores are expecting bottles, it has been confirmed with distributors suposedly and it has been said we will see it in the General Store later this week. There has been no solid info either way at this point.

 

Along the west coast lines , I'm sorry but I don't get it , it is it's own thing , like it or leave it. Personally I thought devil dancer was just nasty , my friend loved it 99% the time we agree.I guess we need to agree to disagree

Cheers

 

If you seek balance, the west coast is usually not for you. We all have our own tastes and none of them are wrong.
Devil Dancer is hoppy as hell but a poor example of a west coast DIPA. There is a significant malt profile and it is not nearly dry enough for west coast standards.

 

I talked to the manager at my local bottle shop today and he called his Bell's distributor and they told him that they did not have any information about The Oracle coming yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though.

And I like The Oracle a bit more than Hopslam. Bell's IPAs are world class IMO.

 

Oracle over Hopslam anyday

 

Is it okay to really enjoy both depending on what type of hop profile I'm looking for on a specific night? or is that not acceptable/unthinkable in the BA community now?

I love both of these beers...so sue me.

 

Sorry to add to was will likely to continue to be a sample tainted by a selection bias, but I prefer Oracl.

 

Someone needs to show some love for Hopslam.. Personally, I can only name a couple DIPAs I'd rather drink.

The Oracle is good stuff though..

 

Ask this in January