The reason I knew this year’s batch of Bell’s fabled Hopslam was on its way to the local market wasn’t because I received a press release from the brewery, nor did I see “Coming Soon!” signs in my favorite liquor stores. Rather, I’ve been getting scads of search engine hits from waist-watching beer lovers wondering “how many calories are in Hopslam?”
A strange thing, if you ask me. When it comes to craft beer, people’s fascination with calories is a bit funny, like walking into The Olive Garden and asking for the low-carb menu. On the macro front, marketers in the U.S. have honed in on it as a point of differentiation for years, humorously beating each other up on the air waves to see who can produce the most metabolically inoffensive product possible.
However, most people interested in flavorful, artisanal food selections probably wouldn’t dictate the bulk of their dining choices in that way. Similarly, there’s a reason Michelob Ultra exists…and it ain’t for people like me.
But to address the apparently highly sought-after answer on Hopslam’s caloric content…I don’t know definitively*. However, based on this site, I’d safely put it in the 275 to 300 calorie neighborhood per 12 ounce bottle. Which compared to Bud Light’s paltry 95 calories, or even Guinness Draught – everyone’s oft-cited “meal in a can” – at only 125 calories, Hopslam certainly takes things to another level, and not just in its nutritional value.
Poured with a nice head of carbonation, rich amber coloring with great clarity.
Aroma is citrus and pine resin, maybe some flower like lavender and a hint of clove possibly from the honey they use in the brewing process, and a fair amount of alcohol.
Flavor is impressively bitter from start to finish, as expected with the style, but not enough malt sweetness to follow it up and balance things, at least for me. A little one dimensional from that perspective, with the alcohol cutting in to take a disproportionate amount of the spotlight. Very hot. I juxtapose this to beers like Dogfish Head 90 Minute, which masterfully finds a way to showcase the hops and malt in their own place.
Mouthfeel is good, nice carbonation and a prickly, warming sensation from the hop/alcohol combo. The honey probably contributes to the somewhat dry finish and helps kick this beer up to the 10% ABV level.
Doing my best to wipe away the palpable hype that drips from the bottle, and daring the ire of beer geeks far and wide, I recognize and enjoy the beer for what it is, a really aromatic and somewhat unbalanced double IPA. Truth in advertising, I suppose. Try it if you can, but I’m not a gushing fan.
Rating: B
Where I Bought It: The Cellars in Plymouth
Availability: Seasonal – available through February
Price: $15.49 a six pack
* Brewery representative Jason Gillum confirmed that Hopslam comes in at 280 calories per 12 ounce bottle.
January 13, 2010 at 8:40 pm
That’s odd, I tried a small sample last night and didn’t think it was harsh or hot at all. Then again, the sample was teensy. Would you say it’s harsh like Maharaja(not a bad thing, just the only IIPA I could think of)or just more harsh than Hopslam last year? The Hopslam last year was so balanced. To me, at least
January 13, 2010 at 8:47 pm
My memory of last year’s batch was that it was more even. I expect the intense hops, but struggled with the more dominant alcohol this year, though I’m not sure how much they change the recipe. I’ve had several bottles so far this year, and have gotten the same thing each time.
The one time I had Maharaja I also recall it being a little boozey, it smelled like a magic marker, actually.
January 14, 2010 at 8:16 am
I wish I could say it was worth the 17 bucks I paid for it but I have to say it’s worth 10, maybe 12 of those dollars.
January 14, 2010 at 9:01 am
The first batch of Hopslam I had was a few years ago, blew me away. Last years might of been more balanced but it disappointed me. I heard batch 2 and 3 of last years was better. I got batch 1. I think this years is more like the greatest of the the first time I had it. I still love it and will easily rate thie years an A-.
January 14, 2010 at 9:02 am
Oops meant to say greatness and not greatest.
January 14, 2010 at 10:33 am
Glad you enjoy it Dave. It’s certainly a decent beer, don’t get me wrong, just not deserving of all the accolades it receives IMO. Stylistically, I understand what kind of beer this is, but within the style I also think there’s room for more malt balance, and they didn’t really do that for me with this year’s batch. Again, I look to a beer like DFH 90 as really hitting the mark on that.
I dont’ know the answer, but I’m also wondering when they added honey during the brewing process…I suspect it was in secondary given the nice aromatics you get. But if it was during the boil or before primary fermentation, it definitely would contribute to the higher alcohol content, which got in the way of my overall enjoyment.
January 14, 2010 at 1:31 pm
You might draw some ire when you say Hopslam is just “decent”. I do think think it’s seems a bit hoppier this year, but that makes it that much better for me. I liked the balance and didn’t think it was hot at all. There’s alot of things that go into our perception of a beer, including hype and the progression of your palate. One person’s perception of overly bitter may be right in someone else’s wheelhouse. A beer this popular and anticipated is bound to find detractors.
Don’t worry Aaron…you’ll get there
January 14, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I can only hope, Frank =)
When I stick my nose in the glass and get an abundance of fusels or take a sip that lacks any real sweetness, I gotta call it as I see (smell and taste?) it. Everyone’s palate is different, and what we’re talking about here are probably extremely minute variations from one person to the next. We’re all more or less sensitive to certain components of a beer. Alcohol might be one of mine.
January 14, 2010 at 11:18 pm
By the way, I just drank 4 Hopslams, I’m pretty drunk.
January 15, 2010 at 4:20 am
[...] Bistro with somewhat faint praise, a rundown of non-terrible Kosher wine, Bell’s Hopslam merits a “B” over at the Captain’s Chair, a preview of the new Twins ballpark fare, where the deuce is [...]
January 15, 2010 at 8:23 am
I’ve always found Hopslam to be a good beer, just not $15.50-$17.00 a 6-pack good.
January 15, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I’ve had a couple bottles cellaring for two years now. I’m interested to see what they do. As far as the beer itself, I think it’s pretty good. The hotness that you note wasn’t to the 10% mark (in my opinion). As far as the price goes. I look at it like getting a 12 pack because of the strength, so the price doesn’t seem so high. You do raise a good point about thresholds for flavors. Perception is the name of the game.
February 24, 2010 at 8:59 pm
one of the greatest beers of its variety bar none. go to beer advocate website and digest the comments of knowledgible beer drinkers. AAAAA++++
March 2, 2011 at 1:14 am
Consider my ire drawn (a year late…)
January 14, 2012 at 12:29 am
I find this beer extremely sweet… and also very hoppy. Personally, I like the juxtaposition. On draft you can’t taste the alcohol. Definitely not one dimensional.