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.

by Reid Ramsay April 9, 2010

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

by Reid Ramsay April 6, 2010

Posted in New Releases, Oskar Blues Brewing

New Release – Oskar Blues Gubna

Oskar Blues Brewing from Lyons, Colorado is a craft brewer with a discerning trait. All their brews come in cans. Hopefully you’ve seen them. Old Chub, Ten Fidy, Dale’s Pale Ale. All delicious craft brews, and all legal for consumption at the pool in the summer (no glass, lol.) It’s been a while, but a new can joins OB’s lineup – Gubna.

Gubna is an Imperial IPA. Don’t let the fact it comes in a can fool you into thinking it’s a weakling. This imperial is a complex, fruity, slightly bitter 10% ABV. Oskar Blues wanted to prove that a complex character can arise from simple elements. Gubna is made with 3 malts, and 1 hop. It is also post fermentation dry hopped.

Ingredients –

Hop – Summit (Dry Hopped w/ Summit also)

Malts – German Dark Munich, Rye Malt, American 2 Row.

Tasting notes – Grapefruit & Citrus nose. Taste is very complex. Pine, Grapefruit, Citrus, spicy malts.

10% ABV

100 IBU’s (Bitter)

Availability – March-November (Opposite the Imperial Stout release – Ten Fidy) 12 oz cans and draft offerings.

Arrival – Atlanta – March 31st/April 1st

by Reid Ramsay March 31, 2010

Posted in Dogfish Head, Seasonal Return

Dogfish Head – Burton Baton

If you are a fan of oaky IPAs, then this is your beer. Burton Baton is an occasional brew by Dogfish Head Brewery (Milton, Delaware) first brewed about 7 years ago. Burton Baton is an English Old Ale blended with an Imperial IPA (90 min??) then aged in 1 of the 4 massive 10,000 gallon oak tanks on site.

There are more than 1 lb of hops per barrel used in Burton. This hoppy IPA is full of Pacific Northwest hops adding a lot of citrus to the mix. These hops are toned down a bit by the oak, adding some nice vanilla and wood tones.

Burton Baton is brewed in limited batches about 3 times a year.

Availability — 12 oz/4 pks

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay March 30, 2010

Posted in Bridgeport Brewing, New Releases

New in Bottle – Bridgeport Hop Czar

While this is the second release of Hop Czar by Bridgeport Brewing in Portland, Oregon – it did not make it’s way to Atlanta last year. ( That I or others are aware of…) I had a brief discussion with some beer friends about Bridgeport and a good point was raised. Bridgeport has been making craft beer for a while now. (Starting in 1984) Their beers reflect a sense of tradition brewing styles which are tried and true and well… downright delicious. In the current world of brewing, it seems that the more extreme brewing makes headlines, and the great damn beers that the extreme is based on, gets overlooked.

Well, you won’t find that on this site. There is a whole world of brewing out there, and more growing in this fair city everyday, and dammit I’m going to try to talk about it all. That brings me to Hop Czar. Hitting shelves just a couple of days ago, I am very impressed with this Imperial IPA. First and foremost, I have to tell you what a wonderful hop aroma and palette this beer has. Hop Czar uses whole flower hops in the brew, and it shows. You’ll find great citrus and floral tones in this DIPA, that aren’t overpowering or obtrusive. Great malt backbone pulling this together, and a not so bitter finish for an Imperial. Here’s your hop breakdown –

Hops – Nugget, Chinook, Cascade, and Centennial.

ABV – 8%

Available – 6 packs – Great Price!! Around $8 or less in some cases.

I’m not in to reviewing, I’m in to informing about new brews. However, I really enjoyed Hop Czar. I’m glad to have it in my fridge.

by Reid Ramsay January 20, 2010

Beer Headlines

Headlines, New Releases, Oskar Blues Brewing

Imperial IPA