Bell's Brewery- Hopslam: A beer fit for a goddess!

Ninkasi is the name of the Sumerian goddess of beer and brewing.  She was worshipped in what is now Iraq around 3,500 BCE.  She was also born of “sparkling fresh water.” to “satisfy the desire” and “sate the heart.”  Her name means “The lady who fills the mouth”, and she is our one supernatural link in the divine world of beer.  There is a hymn written in her honor by an unknown Sumerian poet on a clay tablet in 1800 BCE that describes an ancient brew made of sprouted barley, sweet aromatics, and honey or dates.  I am sure that this brew was amazing, but if you wanted a beer fit to be served to a goddess it might very well be Hopslam from Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo Michigan.

Hopslam is a seasonally released Double IPA available from January to February that pours with an inch of off-white colored head.  Hopslam has a golden amber/orange color. The hop aroma is more intense and pleasing than any other beer that I have experienced. It has an intoxicating pine & citrus aroma with grapefruit being most prominent citrus fruit in the aroma but also there is also a hint of orange.  The grapefruit hits your nose like a freight train unaware of an upcoming railroad crossing.  The carbonation is light but just what you’d expect from a IIPA.  Right away you taste honey and residual sweetness, although the sip finishes quite dry.  Like their website says, “A biting bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale.  With a name like Hopslam what did you expect?”

I am a huge fan of every beer that I’ve had from Bell’s Brewing Company.  If you’ve never had Hopslam I highly suggest that you do.  Find out when your local liquor store has it because it goes quickly and buy in quantity because it is worth it. I haven’t ever said that any beer was my absolute favorite, but this one takes that prize. “Bell’s Hopslam is my favorite beer ever!” Praise be to the goddess Ninkasi and Bell’s Brewing Company for giving us Hopslam.

ABV: 10%

Consumed: Stone Levitation Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Keg

Bell’s Brewery- Hopslam: A Life Changing Beer

Typically we here at www.thegreatestbeerofalltime.com will taste and review a beer a week or so before we actually post it to make sure we have some reviews in the hopper and to give our livers a bit of a rest.  This is the exception!  I was in speaking with Ken at the Limestone Brewing Company in Plainfield, IL about a week or so ago and he was raving about Bell’s Brewery’s Hopslam and how good it was.  I stopped by Woodman’s yesterday and that lime green packaging jumped out at me and my heart began to race.  I grabbed a six pack and raced home to try it.

This beer is an Imperial IPA and Bell’s Brewery’s website simply states “A biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale.  With a name like Hopslam, what did you expect?”  Short, sweet and to the point.  I will add that the label on the beer states “Ale Brewed With Honey.”  This is a limited release beer that is only available from January 7^th through February.

This beer poured a beautiful sunrise/lemon yellow with a big fat foamy 2” head with a honey & hop blend aroma and a whopping 10% ABV.

There are a moments in a person’s life that you never forget like getting your driver’s license, your first home run in little league or touchdown in pee wee football, Marine Corps boot camp graduation, losing your virginity and the birth of your first born.  This beer falls into that category.  I did not know prior to yesterday that beer could be this good.  This bitter brew is face meltingly good, balanced and just downright freaking mind-blowing.  The worst thing about this beer is that it is only available for a limited time but then again, it makes you enjoy every last drop even more.

ABV: 10%

Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Keg

Bell’s Brewery- Hopslam: The Mead of the Gods

I know what everyone is going to say, I am biased toward Bell’s Brewery. Yes, I went to Western Michigan University. Yes I used to live four blocks from Bell’s in college. Yes I drank only Oberon for six months. Yes I once woke up under the hedges in the beer garden at Bell’s Eccentric Café. So what?

First of all (In my humble defense) this beer did not exist, when I was in college. And it is a damn good thing because if it had, I probably would not have graduated. Also I don’t hopelessly pander to all Bell’s Beers, just read my Winter White review. I am capable of being objective when it comes to Bell’s. With that being said, this beer is awesome!

It pours like a golden liqueur, with a mystical haze.  The aroma is a sweet honey scent mixed with a strong alcohol odor. This brew is one of a kind. It is strong, yet subtle, dense yet refreshing. Oh did I mention that this beer is strong. There is so much hop flavor that they actually add honey to mellow it. This brew really reminded me of the bastard child of an IPA and a glass of mead. If your looking for a strong and unique beer your have found your new adventure. Just remember, at $17.99 a six pack you better enjoy it!

ABV: 10%

Consumed: Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Case