Bells Hopslam

Brewed by Bells Brewery
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Bottle sampled with Mad Indian. Pours amber with a creamy off-white head. Aroma of floral hops, citrus, and caramel. The flavor is a full bodied caramel treat, with some non-over the top hoppy bitterness. Great body, excellent brew.

12oz bottle from Artusory. This orange-colored ale poured with a decent white head, eliciting a floral hoppy aroma. One can taste all 70 IBUs, yet the bitterness is not overwhelming due to just the right mix of maltiness.

Festival tap: The crowds around Bells booth were enormous and eager to try everything. Luckily I caught almost all of the specials, like this overhopped, syrupy IIPA. What malts tried to balance the onslaught of hops where sweet and somewhat toasty, the hops were massively rindy and bitter. I liked the huge grapefruit aftertaste and obvious alcohol kick at the finish!

Rerate. 12oz, unlabeled batch number (same as before). Pours a clear honey golden with a three finger off white head. Aroma of lots of fruity hops--tart oranges, tangerines, pineapple, even some strawberry and blackberry--all not quite ripe, and therefore somewhat tart. There is a bit of resiny hops in there as well. Some light doughy bread--not much--is noted as well. Flavor has some pinepple juice, tangerines, a bit of raspberry, some bready malts and alcohol is noticeable, but I wouldn’t quite put it at 9.5%. Dry lingering bitter finish. Low to moderate carbonation, medium to full bodied. This is one fruity hoppy beer. Old rating follows. 12oz, no batch number on any from my six pack--I did see a couple loose ones @ Steve’s Liquor and were Batch 7787, so hopefully these are as fresh. Pours a hazy golden with a 1/2 finger yellowish white head. Big aroma of tangerines and pineapple, some lightly yeasty bread. The same come through on the flavors with a bit of citrus rinds. Very big bitterness up front but withdraws fairly quickly, only to come back with moderate bitterness in the dry finish. Alcohol very well covered. Moderate to high carbonation with a medium to full body. This seems like a cousin of Two Hearted. Very good, did not disappoint. 8-4-7-4-16--3.9

Another one from SoLan. This guy is a baller. Pours a cloudy golden orange with a very light white head. Very enticing looking. Monster grapefruit hops smell, with some pine in the background. Light citrus surrounding the hops. Almost smells like pure grapefruit juice. Taste is quite powerful and distinct. You get that big grapefruit in the taste as well, with the alcohol presentng itself up front and in your face. Kind of bitter finish, a little tart, but satisfying. Hops are big, bold, and big again. Now this is a double IPA.

Batch #7690 bottle. Pours with a big head in a shaker glass, that dwindles quickly to some rocky lace. Deep copper color with the usual Bell’s floaties. Big catty and piney hop smell, the kind men like. Taste is big and brassy. Piney hops just don’t stop, backed up by a thick and sticky malt. Not as deep a roast as other IPAs, but pretty hearty and with some nice ale fruitiness. Little alcohol burn to find. Excellent hop bomb. Should I lay this down for later or enjoy it while its hops are fresh?

Sampled a few different batches thusfar. Lovely hints of grapefruit and lemon on the palate. My only complaint is its a bit medicinal and herbal and I just don’t like Double IPAs with that character. But, it has a lovely malt character. Wish it was a tad bit brighter, but its a lovely DIPA. It’s no dreadnaught, but it’s a dawn good brew.

Orange juice, tangerines, mango, pineapple, apricots...what IS this stuff, a beer or an alcoholic’s tropical fruit slurpee?!? Starts out with an over-the-top nasal hop assault...all citrus and pine...all of which emanates from the beautiful coppery golden pour. In fact, the aroma alone might be enough to satisfy some novice hop-goblin...but not me! I am instantly blown back upon enjoying the first sip...a ridiculously lopsided lupilin rush twists my tongue in circles and leaves me loose-limbed and longing for more. Then and only then, does the wild citrus-fruit flood unleash itself upon the palate, as if trying to make up for the merciless tongue-buckling that just preceded it. 9.5%...I don’t taste any of it...but believe me, it’s lurking in the shadows alright! The caramel and toffee malts try mightily, and yet ultimately fail, to harness this hoodoo hop-bomb...but I say, "Ride the Lightning!"