Sourcing Suds: Bell's Hopslam (2014)

This is the first article in a new series entitled, "Sourcing Suds,"  in which I not only review a beer, but also highlight the place where the beer can be found. The people and places pouring for us are what make the craft beer community what it is. I hope to capture some of that craft culture in this new series. Each month, I will highlight a different craft beer location and a beer from their tap list. Enjoy!

Source: Silver Cow

Silver Cow recently opened their doors to the Riverside area of Jacksonville's "Beer District" on King Street. The space is small but packs charm. The exposed brick walls, antique lamps, whiskey barrel table-tops, and dim lighting give a eloquent sophistication that's intriguing and welcoming.

And there's beer.

The Silver Cow has 25 rotating taps that provide craft delights that are sure to please every beer fan. In addition to beer, Silver Cow offers various wines and food dishes.

Owner, Regina Heffington (you might also know her as the Jax Brew Bitch),is usually behind the bar to greet you with a smile as you walk in. And if Regina's not there, her bartender, Kelsey, is just as welcoming and friendly. If you're looking for a cozy neighborhood bar where service truly comes with a smile, then this place is for you.

Silver Cow was one of the first places to tap a keg of Hopslam, and I was there to get a first taste of this year's popular IPA from Kalamazoo.

Suds: Hopslam

Brewery:  Bell's Brewery
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 10%

The annual release of Bell's Hopslam, and its subsequent appearance on local shelves, never fails to create quite the stir. It's become known as one of the best IPAs in the country and sells out usually within hours of hitting the shelves. 

Bell's Hopslam recently made its official appearance in Jacksonville, and like years before, the beer was gone before most people ever knew it was here. If you are one of the fortunate who secured some Hopslam off the shelves, go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back. If you are among the many other less-fortunate, fret no more! Several local bars around the city will begin tapping Hopslam in the coming days (if they haven't already). And this is a beer you want to grab fresh. Trust me.

Appearance: Hopslam was poured in a snifter and is a vibrant amber color and a healthy white head that leaves mild lacing.

Aroma: It's citrusy and fresh smelling. Very appealing. I can also detect an inviting sweetness on the nose, likely honey-related.

Taste: Lemon, grapefruit, pine, and honey. This is surprisingly smooth and drinkable. And the flavors are wonderfully complex. It's a multifaceted IPA that doesn't just wreck the palate by throwing a truckload of hops at your tongue. The bitter hop flavors are balanced by a sweetened malt backbone. The finish is mildly bitter with a touch of honey and lingering pine.

Mouthfeel: This is a full-bodied IPA. At 10%, I wouldn't expect anything less. Hopslam is sweet and sticky, but has plenty of carbonation to keep it from being syrup-like.

Overall: Hopslam is worth the hype. Every year, I expect to be disappointed by this beer. I so badly want to be the one to provide that sobering review that says, "Hopslam is just a Hypeslam!" And yet, every year I find myself at this same conclusion. Hopslam is every bit worthy of the hype. It's just that good.

To read my review of last year's release of Hopslam, click here.
To read more about Silver Cow, check out my full review here.

Bell's Hopslam

Brewery:  Bell's Brewery
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 10%
Price: $6.99/Pint (Kickback's Gastropub-Jacksonville, FL)

Few beers carry the clout that Bell's Hopslam carries. I've heard it called the "East Coast answer to Pliny the Elder." Hopslam has a perfect rating of 100 on both BeerAdvocate and RateBeer. For most, this is a perfect beer.

Now, before I move to my tasting notes, I will caution you. I think it's hard for any beer to live up to this kind of hype. When I think of a "perfect" "World-class" beer, I expect unicorns to dance around in my mouth whilst chasing pink elephants...or something like that. I am always a bit skeptical when beers reach this level of elitism. However, I will say that there is one major thing Hopslam has going for it that other beers on this level don't: it is very affordable. I had Hopslam on tap for just 7 bucks a pop. And it was a full pint. I can think of a list of other beers that are more expensive, come in smaller pours, and not nearly as good.

Now on to the tasting notes...

As you can see from the image, the color is a beautiful orange haze. It's slightly cloudy which helps pronounce the various hues as light reflects from the glass. There is a nice cream head that leaves a solid lace around the glass.

The beer lets off a pleasant aroma of fresh hops, lemon peels, grapefruit, and pine. This is the type of scent that makes you feel good. I'm surprised Bell's hasn't figured out how to bottle this scent or put it in candles yet. (Note: if anyone figures out how to do this, I expect royalties).

The taste. Oh, this really is delicious! Big citrus profile. Lots of hops. Finish is very clean and mildly bitter with a wonderful honey sweetness. The middle of the flavor has a subtle malt profile that balances the hops and citrus nicely. Still, the predominant flavors are of the hops, lemon, pine, and grapefruit. This is bouquet of citrus fruits and floral hops that are nicely bound by a touch of honey and malt sweetness. This is really as good as an IPA can get.

Hopslam is very good. It's great, actually. This is my second year getting to taste this beer and it's just as good as I remember. In fact, my first experience with Hopslam was during a blind IPA tasting where there were several world-class IPAs in unmarked glasses; Pliny the elder was among them. Without knowing, I scored Hopslam as my top beer, ranking it above Pliny, Heady Topper, and Surly Furious. So, there you have it.

Hopslam doesn't come with unicorns, but it's as close to magical as an IPA can get.