Anne
King Lincoln
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When
Thursday
Time
5:30pm until 8:30pm
Description
It is that time of year again. Bell's Hoplslam has arrived. We will be tapping a keg of this revered Imperial IPA on Thursday at 5:30. We are happy to have Lara from Freedom a la Cart attending & selling her tasty empanadas both vegan and meat to help get you through this monster beer experience!
http://www.facebook.com/events/328554047174919/?notif_t=event_invite
mrsgeedeck
Castle of Lions
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Bell's isn't kidding with this beer, its all hops all the time. I discovered that I like really hoppy beers a few years ago and searched everywhere for a six pack of Hopslam (I found it at the Family Dairy on Fifth and Highland), only to have it linger in the 'fridge for about a month as I could really only drink one beer in a sitting.
That said, a cask opening for this is GREAT! A pint is about all I can handle so I can enjoy a really unique beer without committing to the six pack.
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
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...and it's on my way home. I see a beer in my future.
ColumbusTime
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What is it with Hopslam? Is it bitter like a pale ale? Never had the chance to try this, and became more perplexed by the crazed demand when I saw it sells for $17 a 6-pack.
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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It's an American imperial/double IPA. Pale ale on roids.
groundrules
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How long did the keg last? I had a meeting until 8, i figured I'd already missed the boat by that point...
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
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Hope they're not out, I jonesin' for another one....
FSonicSmith
Columbus-downtown for work, East for the residence
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Hate to be a naysayer (really) but I think Bell's Hop Slam is over-hyped. In years past I bought about two cases worth and yeah, it tastes damned good. However, a lot of the mouthfeel is due to Bell's using honey as an adjunct. To me, (I have done some homebrewing though I don't claim to know all that much compared to most better homebrewers let alone full time pros), using honey is a cheap trick. In beer making, "adjuncts" refer to ingredients other than grain and grain derivatives, yeast, water, and hops. Actually, I think hops are technically an adjunct too. But there are noble adjuncts and not-so-noble adjuncts. For example, with Belgian Lambics, cherry is a noble adjunct, if you will. Honey is not so respected in any beer as far as I know. Hop slam uses honey. It's like dressing up mashed potatos with truffle oil. Sure, it's impressive at first blush, but anybody can go out and buy a bottle of truffle oil and drizzle some into the mashed potatos. Same with beer. To make a beer with that much hop character and that mouthfeel through nothing but grains, water, and hops would be quite an achievement and for that, I would pay the high tab. But once you know that the result was achieved by using an easily achieved trick you have to ask-what are you really paying for and why.
FSonicSmith
Columbus-downtown for work, East for the residence
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For the price, I prefer Stone's Ruination!
We agree on that too!
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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Also not to sound contrarian, but most over-the-top IPA's are overrated and hyped up. It seems people sometimes like to jump on the "this beer is HUGE" bandwagon and convince themselves that a beer is greater than it really is. I'd personally rather have a well balanced beer any day over fad DIPA's. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed Hopslam in the past, I just think the DIPA market is wearing a bit thin.
I can think of a handful of "big" beers I prefer over Hopslam that are much easier to get ahold of on shelves it seems. Avery Maharaja, Southern Tier Unearthly (preferably Oak Aged), Ruination, or even 90 Minute.
FSonicSmith
Columbus-downtown for work, East for the residence
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Also not to sound contrarian, but most over-the-top IPA's are overrated and hyped up. It seems people sometimes like to jump on the "this beer is HUGE" bandwagon and convince themselves that a beer is greater than it really is. I'd personally rather have a well balanced beer any day over fad DIPA's. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed Hopslam in the past, I just think the DIPA market is wearing a bit thin.
Agreed. I apologize for derailing this thread a bit, but I picked up a six of The Brew Kettle 4Cs Pale Ale from Barrel and Bottle at NM the other day, and it was a breath of fresh air having a very balanced, refined, fairly complex beer without an all out attack on the senses. Hop Slam has turned into an event and if it's fun to go out for a keg opening and see friends and support your favorite bar, that's all that counts. I just cringe at folks driving all over townn and shelling out a lot of hard earned $ to get a six pack or two because they *heard* how good and rare it is.
0Angle
A brewery or my kitchen or my bicycle.
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Thank-you PZ, for clueing me into this conversation. As soon as I finish cleaning a beer line, Hopslam is going on tap @ Barley's #1. We''ll have Four Seas Imperial IPA @ Beerfest & here, and I'm putting Blurry Bike IPA on tap today, too.
CBC is brewing IPA's as good as or better than anyone IMO...
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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SJT
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Thanks to everyone who came out& braved the nasty weather to attend this event. Extra big thanks to the gals from Freedom a la Cart for bringing in their delicious food to sell. It was a great success all around! There is a TINY bit left of the Hopslam so if you want a taste, stop by early this evening as it will surely be gone soon. Glad so many love this beer& my bar enough to come out in less than ideal conditions. We love you back! Cheers.
patient_zero
Falafel District
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0Angle said:
Thank-you PZ, for clueing me into this conversation. As soon as I finish cleaning a beer line, Hopslam is going on tap @ Barley's #1. We''ll have Four Seas Imperial IPA @ Beerfest & here, and I'm putting Blurry Bike IPA on tap today, too.CBC is brewing IPA's as good as or better than anyone IMO...
Blurry Bike IPA has a particularly personal reference, if I remember right. :0
See you at Beerfest tomorrow!
0Angle
A brewery or my kitchen or my bicycle.
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patient_zero said:
Blurry Bike IPA has a particularly personal reference, if I remember right. :0See you at Beerfest tomorrow!
Yep, I put my winter bike away wet last spring and found that it needs a good spanking, so I rode the Blurry Bike in the snow, ice & salt (yikes). I hope it doesn't look too blurry after Beerfest (again, yikes).
St. James is deservedly a destination, even on nights like last. Cheers to Michelle & staff for helping make "beer culture" relevant.
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
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