Bell's Hopslam Ale
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with a wave of tropical and citrus hop character — mango, grapefruit, and a faint honey sweetness underneath, the latter coming from the six different honeys used in the brewing process. On the palate, the bitterness is firm but not brutal, balanced by a thick, almost syrupy malt backbone and that honey note threading through mid-sip. The body is full and the alcohol is warmly present without being harsh. The finish lingers with resinous, piney bitterness that keeps you aware this is a serious beer.
About the Brewery
Bell's is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is one of the foundational craft breweries of the Midwest, founded by Larry Bell in 1985. The brewery is widely credited with helping establish Michigan as a serious craft beer state. Their lineup spans a broad range of styles, but they're probably best known for Two Hearted Ale and Oberon, alongside Hopslam as a cult seasonal release. Bell's was acquired by Lion Little World Beverages in 2021 but has continued operating with its established identity.
Food Pairings
The beer's assertive bitterness and honey sweetness make it a natural alongside spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, where the sweetness tempers heat while the hops cut through rich coconut-based sauces. A sharp, aged cheddar or a funky blue cheese holds up to the bitterness and finds common ground with the honey character. Grilled or smoked pork benefits from the beer's malt weight and fruity hop notes, and a simple roast chicken with citrus and herbs echoes the aromatics in the glass. If you're going dessert, a lemon tart or citrus cheesecake mirrors the fruit profile without fighting the bitterness.
Style Guide
American Double or Imperial IPAs take the hop-forward blueprint of a standard American IPA and push the intensity well past what that style normally carries — more hops for bitterness and aroma, more malt to support the added weight, and an ABV typically running from 8% to 10% or higher. The style emerged in the early 2000s as American craft brewers began competing to produce increasingly potent hop-driven beers. What separates it from a standard IPA is primarily scale: bigger body, bigger bitterness, more pronounced alcohol warmth. Unlike barleywines, which share a similar ABV range, Double IPAs keep hops front and center rather than leaning into malt complexity or oxidative notes.