Bell’s Hopslam Ale is a seasonal, limited edition gem that is in currently in season.  Many local businesses were only given a fraction of their requested amount from the distributor. This trickled down to the consumer, so if you were lucky to find it, you could only get one or two six packs.  At a price point of $20/sixer, that might be a good thing.

The delicious double-IPA, has a amber/honey color with a subtle head.  Its bouquet is extremely hoppy, almost floral.  If you have ever wondered why people smell their beer, this beer is a great intro to understanding the practice.  It smells soooo GOOD!

This is likely accomplished through the complicated ingredients and brewing process Bell’s puts this amazing nectar through.  From the Bell’s site:

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repertoire.

It’s taste matches its smell one for one.  I actually found myself sipping incredibly slowly to maximize the experience.  An absolute solid experience.

It took me 4 stores and 3 days to find it, but I finally located it at Earthfare in Windermere.  I perused the beer selection, (which by the way is pretty extensive and eclectic there).  I had to ask for the Hopslam, the girl disappeared in the back and returned with the prize.

I was told that only people that ask for Hopslam get it, and even then its max 2 per visitor.  you might still be able to find it there.  If not keep an eye out for it next year.  It goes fast!