Topic Archives: Hopslam

Posted in Bell's Brewing, Now Tapping

Bell’s Hopslam Tapping!

Looking for Bell’s Hopslam?  Keep missing the rare kegs that are popping up around Atlanta?  Heres another chance!  Today at Taco Mac Metropolis – the infamous Hopslam.   Taps 6 pm.

Quick Recap –

Bell’s Hopslam is a double IPA or Imperial IPA released seasonally, and is very limited.  Bell’s only produces this beer for a little over a month and half each year.   In many cities, it sells out fast, leaving many people without.  The name pretty much tells you what to expect — a Hopslam.   This beer has an absolutely fantastic hop aroma.  If you love the smell of hops, you are definitely in the right place.  Expect piney and grapefruit hop tones on your palette.  While it has a slight bitter finish, Hopslam really reminds you first and foremost that hops are a flower.  Honey is added to sweeten the finish.

See you at 6 PM!  Another DIPA – Dogfish Head – Burton Baton is tapping also.

Posted in Bell's Brewing, Uncategorized

Cypress Street’s Beer Geek Tuesday 4/6

Just when you thought you missed the last opportunity for a whole year for a shot a very tasty and well sought after imperial IPA, here is another chance.

Tonight at Cypress Street Pint & Plate – Bell’s Hopslam.  Yes, 1 of a few rare kegs that have found their way to Atlanta after the city drained the assumed first round.  Wes Anderson, beer manager at Cypress got his hands on one of these hard to find hoppy kegs and is featuring it tonight starting at 6 pm.

If you find yourself out of the loop –  Bell’s Hopslam is a double IPA or Imperial IPA released seasonally, and is very limited.  Bell’s only produces this beer for a little over a month and half each year.   In many cities, it sells out fast, leaving many people without.  The name pretty much tells you what to expect — a Hopslam.   This beer has an absolutely fantastic hop aroma.  If you love the smell of hops, you are definitely in the right place.  Expect piney and grapefruit hop tones on your palette.  While it has a slight bitter finish, Hopslam really reminds you first and foremost that hops are a flower.

It’s pretty cool these kegs are popping up now.  There are a couple more tapping soon.  Stay tuned for details.

Hopslam is 10% ABV

Cypress Pint & Plate, 6 pm
817 W Peachtree Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30308
Posted in Bell's Brewing, New Releases

Bell’s Hopslam… Lands TODAY!

Hopslam has definitely been the buzz over the past week.  Looks like your wait is over.  I got to talk to Larry Bell about how excited a lot of people seemed to finally get in it in Atlanta and he was humbled.   He was also definitely unaware Hopslam had become a trending topic on Twitter.  Well, looks like your patience has paid off.  Your day is today.   Check @AtlBeerMaster on Twitter for sightings.  Cheers!

It’s finally coming… Bell’s Hopslam.   Hopheads, rejoice.

For those of you that don’t know, Hopslam has gotten a bit of a cult following over time.   It’s a double IPA or Imperial IPA released seasonally, and is very limited.  Bell’s only produces this beer for a little over a month and half each year.   In many cities, it sells out fast, leaving many people without.

The name pretty much tells you what to expect — a Hopslam.   This beer has an absolutely fantastic hop aroma.  If you love the smell of hops, you are definitely in the right place.  Expect piney and grapefruit hop tones on your palette.  While it has a slight bitter finish, Hopslam really reminds you first and foremost that hops are a flower.

Hopslam is 10% ABV.   It averages about $15 dollars a 6 pack of 12 oz bottles.  Limited draft offerings soon.   Due to snow basically all over the U.S., Hopslam is about a week behind it’s expected Georgia arrival.

UPDATE 1/19/10 – It was more than just snow that was delaying Hopslam.  After speaking with the brewery, there were some yield issues too.   Their goal was at least 15% more this year to meet a greater demand.  Hopslam shipped yesterday/last night and will make its debut in bottle and draft Thursday/Friday (1/21, 1/22.)

Posted in Bell's Brewing, Casks, Meet the Brewer, Now Tapping, Rare Opportunity

Bell’s Brewing Tap Lineup for Larry Bell Visit!

For those of you headed to the Larry Bell meet and greet tonight at tonight at Taco Mac Metropolis, there is a full lineup of Bell’s beers tapping.

Here is the full lineup, get your glasses ready..

Amber — Amber Ale, 5.8% ABV.  Flagship Bell’s offering. Mostly Pale Malts, with some Munich & Caramel Malts.   Malty sweet flavor w/ nice American hop balance.

Porter — 5.6% ABV.  Dark malts with roasted tones.  Subtle chocolate & coffee tones.  Gold medal winner in Brewers Association World Cup 2008

Two Hearted Ale — IPA, 7% ABV.  Centennial hops. Pale & Caramel Malts.  More HERE.

3rd Coast — American Blonde, 4.8% ABV.  Brewed with Pale Malts, and a strong addition of American Hops.  Crisp, bitter, refreshing.   Year round offering.

Java Stout — Imperial Stout, 7.5% ABV.  Personal Favorite!  Sumatra coffee beans, blended with chocolate and roasted malts.  Full flavored, beautifully balanced.  Very short seasonal offering.

Double Cream Ale — Milk Stout, 6.1% ABV.  Sweet stout with roasted malts. Creamy, with subtle chocolate and coffee flavors.  Much more subtle than Java stout on the coffee side.

Winter White Ale — Witbier, 5% ABV.  American Wheat Ale, brewed with proprietary blends of Hefe and Belgian Yeasts.  Very light, wheaty, and fresh.

Best Brown Ale — Brown Ale, 5.8% ABV.  Strong malty character.  Toasted sweet malts. Hoppy  undertones.  Sweet finish.  Sold Oct — March.

Christmas Ale — Scottish Ale, 5.4% ABV.  Caramel and toffee flavors.  Bold without being overbearing, Christmas ale has sweet and malty notes with very little bitter in the finish.  Rare offering.  Grab this one.

Cherry Stout — Fruit beer/ Flavored Stout. 7% ABV.  Fantastic sour cherry flavor from Michigan.  Has a chocolate covered cherry flavor.  Subtle coffee.  Van Twee takes some inspiration from Cherry Stout.

Expedition Stout — Russian Imperial Stout, 10.5% ABV.  Strong on toasted malts. Chocolate aromas, bitter chocolate flavors on the palette.  Perhaps even some sweet molasses too.

CASK!! Cherry Stout — I had the opportunity to try this yesterday at Brickstore Pub.  Great cask offering, with subtle sour cherry flavors with a coffee/chocolate finish.  Well balanced and flavorful.

Van Twee- This draft offering is especially rare opportunity.  Bell’s brewery John Mallett collaborated with De Proef in Belgium  It’s a dubbel, porter blend with sour cherries, and beet sugar to bottle condition.  More on Van Twee HERE! 2 taps for Van Twee tonight.

There are delays with Hopslam, while it’s not completely ruled out, it’s not looking good.

It all kicks off at 6 pm!  See you there!

Taco Mac — Metropolis

933 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30309

Posted in Bell's Brewing, Casks, Meet the Brewer, Rare Opportunity

CASK ALERT & MEET THE BREWER! Larry Bell of Bell’s Brewing!

If there were a Mount Rushmore for beer, Larry Bell — founder of Bell’s Brewery would be on it.   This is a guy who started with a home brew shop in 1983, selling his first beer in 1985.  Bell’s has done nothing but grow since then.   I place him in such high esteem because Larry runs one of the oldest craft breweries in America.   Larry Bell’s passion for craft brewing not only changed the face of beer in the US, but also inspired many to follow in his footsteps.

On Tuesday, 1/19/10 you have the chance to meet Larry Bell.  I mention time and time again what a great opportunity it is to meet a brewer and understand beer from their prospective.  Larry will also be tapping an EXTREMELY rare cask of “Van Twee” — the recent collaboration between Bell’s Brewery and De Proef Brewery in Belgium.  Learn about Van Twee HERE.

Alongside the cask of Van Twee, you can finally get a taste of Hopslam, Bell’s very limited, seasonal Double IPA.

If that’s not enough, there will also be 14 other Bell’s beers to try.   Yes, I typed that right.  14 more. Honestly, I doubt you can find a reason NOT to come meet Larry Bell, try a rare cask, and enjoy a great beer filled evening.  See you there!

Taco Mac Metropolis, 6pm (01/19/10)
933 Peachtree Street N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 631-6526
@tmacmetropolis (on twitter)

Posted in Bell's Brewing, Casks, New Launches

Bell’s Brewing Launches in Georgia

Bell's Brewing Company

Bell

Bells Brewing Launches in Georgia — Today!

Quick History

Bell’s began as Kalamazoo Brewing Company by a fellow named Larry Bell in 1983. Originally, it began as a home brewing shop and sold it’s first beer in 1985. Since then, it has obviously grown into the craft brewer that it is today. In 2003 it opened its current brewing site near Comstock, MI. The current site has seen numerous expansions, thus allowing its distribution to grow further and further away from Michigan.

Just to tell you ahead of time, you are going to want Hopslam, Oberon, and Two Hearted Ale. They are incredibly tasty.

WELCOME TO GEORGIA BELLS!!!!

Launch Events and Tastings are as follows –

Monday, May 18th -Rare cask of Hopslam Double IPA tapped at Brickstore Pub in Decatur. Also, I believe a keg of Double Cream Stout will be on hand.

Tuesday, May 19th – Taco Mac begins selling Bells. Launch event is slated for the Kennesaw Location. Metropolis will also have a great line up too.

Bell’s Check List of must haves if you are a Bell’s first timer –

OberonAmerican Wheat Ale – 5.8% ABV
Two Hearted AleIPA – 7.0% ABV
AmberAmber Ale – 5.8%
Pale AleAmerican Pale – 5.2%
HopslamDouble IPA – 10% ABV
Kalamazoo StoutStout – 6% ABV
Third Coast Old AleBarleywine – 10.2% ABV

And that’s just for starters!