Bell's Hopslam

I recently had a few pints of Bell's Hopslam at The Map Room a few weeks ago.

http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/info/22

By far, my favorite beer I have had in recent memory. I am not great at describing beer, but it is just so hoppy but juicy and balanced. I know...it is a terrible description.

Regardless...I need more of this beer. I recently visited my local Binny's and the manager informed me that this particular brew is always an extremely limited run, only brewed once a year. Apparently Chicago gets a single distribution....and then it is all over until next year, and I just missed the time when it was readily available.

Perhaps I mis-understood, but it seems like I might have to wait a whole YEAR to have this again.

Does anyone have any suggestions of a place I could check to see if it is still in stock? It needs to be a store that has a fairly deep beer selection, but maybe doesn't get a super high amount of traffic...

The Binny's manager assured me that all the Binny's were totally out.

Maybe I am just out of luck, but any suggestions would be much appreciated. BTW, I am willing to drive to Wisconsin, depending on how far north it is.


Thanks!

Andersonville Wines and Spirits at Clark and Foster still had some today. $17/6 pack, I think. In Fine Spirits might still have some as well, but I haven't checked there. It is only made once a year and is usually gone by mid-February.

You could call around to Whole Foods around the area. They often stock a good amount of Bell's and I saw some Hopslam at one a couple weeks ago.

Try calling the Green Grocer and West Lakeview Liquors. I think I saw some at the Green Grocer on Friday, but I could easily be misremembering.

Green Grocer Chicago
1402 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642-6303
(312) 624-9508‎
greengrocerchicago.com

West Lakeview Liquors
2156 West Addison Street
Chicago, IL 60618-6136
(773) 525-1916
wlvliquors.com

Thank you for the suggestions!

Darren72 wrote:Try calling...West Lakeview Liquors.

West Lakeview Liquors
2156 West Addison Street
Chicago, IL 60618-6136
(773) 525-1916
wlvliquors.com

This was my first call since I live right down the street.

Yep! They said they have about 20 cases still.

Anyone try this year's batch yet?

Apparently it has been on tap at Sheffields' all week but I haven't stopped by yet. I was fortunate enough to locate some six-packs at Whole Foods though, they are currently chilling at home in my fridge for after work tonight.

I'm very interested in buying one of the mini-kegs if I can score one somewhere!

Binny's in the south loop is having a firkin tasting tonight.

Also, Twin Anchors (who now has a really solid beer selection) will be getting a keg this weekend.

I know Lemming's has had it in the past, and i've also seen it at Hackney's Printers row of all places.

Probably my favorite beer, especially in draught form.

I like this year's well enough -- browsing BeerAdvocate over the past few weeks, you'd think Hopslam was the second coming, though. I mean, it's well balanced for a 10% hop-bomb (it certainly doesn't taste like it's 10% ABV) but I don't think I could have more than 2 glasses at a time. Between the extreme citrus notes and overwhelming sweet taste, Hopslam just overwhelmed and exhausted my palate - I don't know that I really could have tasted/enjoyed much more at a time. I wouldn't mind trying it on tap but I don't know if I could put up with the frothing horde of local beer geeks who I imagine will swarm from bar to bar, drinking kegs dry and leaving over-turned chairs in empty glasses in their wake.

For those still looking for some bottles, I just heard that the Binny's off Grand Ave. got some more in stock. I doubt it will last too long, though...

Its not a session beer although one may think it is based on the newest format...




I sat down for 2 firkin pours in the Binny's tasting room this evening and enjoyed with a nice aged cheddar and a blue des basques. Really couldn't ask for anything better than that.

Picked up a sixer at Woodman's for $14.99.

danimalarkey wrote:For those still looking for some bottles, I just heard that the Binny's off Grand Ave. got some more in stock. I doubt it will last too long, though...

That Binny's went through it super quick, apparently before it even hit the shelves.

As of about 1:00 p.m. today, the Whole Foods in the South Loop had over 15 cases in stock. (I recall this happening in years past as well, where this store had stacked cases well after most everywhere else was sold out. The Whole Foods in Lincoln Park apparently sod through all 40 of its cases in less than a day.)

Picked some up at Whole Foods in the South Loop this morning, 6 pack for $15.99. The cashier said that demand has been through the roof, people coming in and buying several cases at a time. I'm trying it for the first time just now, and it's right up my alley. I love grapefruit and the battle between the honeyed sweetness and hoppy bitterness is beautiful. That said, I really wish it were less than 10%. Flavor-wise I could really drink a lot of these, but at that ABV I don't think I would enjoy more than two...and that's saying something considering how much spirit I can comfortably put away.

Andersonville Wine and Spirits has the mini kegs.

5201 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-0858

^^ do you know how much?? ^^

Not sure what was going through Binny's mind when they priced theirs at a higher per oz rate than the standard 6-pack ($50)

I bought 24 at the Whole Foods - Lincoln Park a week or so ago and now wish I have gotten more!!! I forgot how great Hopslam is...

I bought a 5L mini-keg from Liquor Stop (Indianapolis Blvd) for $38, $11 cheaper than Binny's. I was in the area so it was worth it... It was their last one in stock though. 6-packs were about the same price i've seen everywhere else ($17 i think) but they were in ample supply

got some at Foremost..........mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Longman and Eagle has Hopslam on tap, 8 dollars a goblet

pacent wrote:Longman and Eagle has Hopslam on tap, 8 dollars a goblet

$6 in Palatine at Dirty Nellie's

On tap, Long Room, $6. Good stuff.

http://www.beermenus.com/beers/bell-s-h ... id=chicago

Always a good place to see who has a beer and how much they're charging. $8 at Longman is pricey, though Liilie's Q seems to take the "most overpriced" contest at $7 for 8oz when most places are $6-7 for 12oz.

Thanks to gastro gnome who byo'd a 6-pack, I had some of this last night with some fiery and flavorful Thai food at Aroy Thai and I thought it was a perfect pairing. The strong, distinctive hoppiness stood up magnificently to the couple of dishes I had with it and it added an extra dimension of flavor to the overall eating experience. Great stuff.

Additional availability data points:

I bought a 6-pack at Schaefer's in Skokie for about $17 (iirc).

They do not, at least as of last night, carry this at In Fine Spirits (neither the bar, nor the shop).

=R=

Schaefer's Wines & Spirits
9965 Gross Point Rd
Skokie, IL 60043
(847) 677-9463

ronnie_suburban wrote:I bought a 6-pack at Schaefer's in Skokie for about $17 (iirc).

For a minute there I thought you'd paid 17 bucks for a 6-pack of Schaefer's...

Bridgestone wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:I bought a 6-pack at Schaefer's in Skokie for about $17 (iirc).

For a minute there I thought you'd paid 17 bucks for a 6-pack of Schaefer's...

LOL, I've never paid more than $15 for a 6-pack of Schaefer's!

=R=

Was at the Hop Leaf last night for dinner and enjoyed a couple half-pints of Hopslam on draft. Fantastic stuff that'll only be available for a limited time on draft. If you want a taste I would head over soon!

JeffB wrote:On tap, Long Room, $6. Good stuff.

Pretty sure they have a "sliding scale" here. Stopped in last night and was charged $17 for 2 10 or 12 oz pours. However, they did buy the next one so it all worked out.

Hmmm. My experience has been consistent with the info on Beermenus. A mistake, possibly. I know how it is, though. Stocks and Blondes, the abysmal Loop bar near the Washington/Wells L gouged me $13 for a shot of Maker's Tuesday night when I sought shelter from the blizzard.

PS, the upcharge happened after I had to explain to the goof behind the bar what "neat" means and she angrily tossed the tall, icy glass of watered-down bourbon she'd just poured.

I've seen Hopslam here and there the last couple of weeks, for those who are still interested in it. With the rise of local breweries (everywhere), it seems to be less of a big deal. I bought some two years ago and never finished it, too boozy.