Bells Hopslam - Is It Worth It?

Post by **BlackDuck** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:19 pm

My LHBS posted a picture on their twitter account. It was a stack of 20 cases of Bells Hopslam. There was a sign taped to one the outside of a case.

The sign read "$17.99 6/pk, limit one!"

Is it really worth it? can it be that good?

Post by **Beer-lord** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:28 pm

I've never had this but know they are only available for a very short time. I thought they came in 4 packs.
Everything I've read says they are good and Bell's is pretty good but it's hard to believe it's really worth it.

Inkleg · Post by **Inkleg** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:04 pm

I've had it in the past and wasn't very impressed. It's been a few years and I can't remember why now, but have been offered some since then (for sale) and turned it down.

haerbob3 · Post by **haerbob3** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:22 pm

I think it is overly sweet. The sweetness overpowers the hops. You are better off brewing it yourself the way you like it.

Post by **LouieMacGoo** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:32 pm

I've had it twice and I really like it. I really think if you get an opportunity to try it you should. The reviews on Rate beer are pretty accurate and should give you a good idea of what it's about.

With that said I have a hard time justifying $18 a six pack. I did get a beer store to sell me one for $3! Glad I did!

Kealia · Post by **Kealia** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:26 pm

Keep in mind that Pliny is about $7 - $8 a bottle for a 16.9oz bottle. Three Plinys would be $21 - $24, so a sixer of something that is really good is less than that. Mind you, I've never had Bell's so I'm just throwing that out for comparison-sake.

haerbob3 · Post by **haerbob3** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:39 pm

To be fair I do have to say it was Hopslam that did get me inserted in the IPA style. As I came to enjoy IPA's more, and as they became a favorite style as my love of the hop grew it just became to sweet for my changing tastes.

swenocha · Post by **swenocha** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 10:02 pm

Being a big Bell's fan, I've had this a few times. I like it OK, but after the first bottle purchase, I've only had it at tastings where others brought it since. I'd agree with Haerbob that it's a bit sweet for me (I thought the same of DFH 120). But it's definitely worth trying once if you get a chance. Bell's does some great beers... I have some stout varieties in the cellar as we speak and I lean that way, and to Oberon and Two Hearted though...

duff · Post by **duff** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:31 pm

I really like Bells but their stuff seems to have gotten really expensive lately and many of their things fall out of the range that I would pay now. Hopslam is a good beer but it does fall a bit on the sweet side of what I prefer for DIPAs. That said I wouldn't pay $18 for a six pack of it. I don't think I would pay much more than $13 for a six pack of it.

My favorite from offering from Bells is the Two Hearted Ale.

swenocha: I wasn't aware that bells was making Breakfast Stouts? Are they a seasonal or only available at the Eccentric Cafe?

swenocha · Post by **swenocha** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:34 pm

Bah... typo/brain fart. meant Expedition and K'zoo, not Breakfast. I have some of those as well, but the Breakfast Stouts are Founders.

duff · Post by **duff** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:39 pm

Ah the Expedition is excellent and a long standing favorite of mine when I can find it at reasonable prices. And the Kalamazoo Stout is interesting because I find it pretty tasty even though I dislike licorice and dislike most stouts I have had that were brewed with it or anise.

mashani · Post by **mashani** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:58 am

Out of curiosity, have any of you who think Hopslam is too sweet (do you mean malty or crystal sweet?) had a Victory HopDevil? I've never had Hopslam, but HopDevil is pretty malty - I think it's base malt is Vienna and I think it's got Munich in it too - and I can see it turning off some IPA folks (I personally like it). Just curios, because I've never bought a Hopslam, although I could...

Post by **Beer-lord** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:43 am

I've had Hop Devil and it was somewhat malty. I think it's more East Coast IPA as they tend to lean to the malty side (like Dogfish Head). I liked it and I'm an IPA guy. I think it had good hop to malt balance.

Post by **BlackDuck** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:44 am

Kealia wrote:Keep in mind that Pliny is about $7 - $8 a bottle for a 16.9oz bottle. Three Plinys would be $21 - $24, so a sixer of something that is really good is less than that. Mind you, I've never had Bell's so I'm just throwing that out for comparison-sake.

This same thing came to my mind while driving to work this morning.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts...now I just guess I have to make up my mind. Problem is, I don't think I'll have a chance to get to the store in the next week or so. Maybe I'll try to talk the wife into going there for me!!!

yankfan9 · Post by **yankfan9** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:34 am

I say go for it! I really like it, though I am biased as I am more of a fan of the malty/sweet IPA's as opposed to the bitter dry ones.

Bells Hopslam - Is It Worth It?

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