Bell's Citrus Hopslam 6Pk Cans

Bell's Citrus Hopslam 6pk 12oz Cans is a Michigan-brewed Imperial IPA packaged in six 12oz cans. Citrus Hopslam is a variant of Bell's celebrated Hopslam line, leaning into bright, fruit-forward hop character that distinguishes it from the original double IPA.

Quick Facts: ABV: Not disclosed in verified data  |  Origin: Michigan, USA  |  Imperial IPA  |  Distillery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery was founded in 1985 by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan, making it one of the pioneering craft breweries in the Midwest. The Hopslam franchise built its reputation as an aggressively hopped double IPA, and the Citrus expression extends that lineage with an emphasis on hop varieties known for tropical and citrus aromatic profiles. Bell's was acquired by Lion Little World Beverages in 2021, though brewing operations remain anchored in Michigan.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expect a burst of fresh citrus peel, tropical fruit, and resinous hop oils on the nose. The aromatic profile leans bright and assertive rather than malty or sweet.

Taste: Entry delivers pronounced citrus hop bitterness with a full, almost syrupy body typical of the Imperial IPA style. The mid-palate sustains hop intensity with hints of tropical fruit before bitterness climbs toward the peak.

Finish: Long and drying, with lingering hop resin and a faint citrus zest note. The finish is characteristically bold and not aimed at the faint-hearted.

How to Drink Bell's Citrus Hopslam

Citrus Hopslam is best served cold, slightly above fridge temperature — around 45–50°F — poured into a tulip or IPA glass to concentrate the aroma. The high bitterness and hoppy intensity make it a standalone sipper rather than a mixer, though it does work in select applications. Three serves worth noting: a Hop Float pairing a can over vanilla ice cream to offset bitterness; a Citrus Shandy blended with fresh-squeezed lemon for a lighter warm-weather drink; and a Beer Margarita using it in place of traditional beer to amplify citrus notes alongside tequila and lime.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who favors aggressive, hop-forward styles
• Pairing with a backyard cookout featuring grilled meats and charred vegetables
• Sharing at a craft beer tasting focused on American IPA expressions
• Stocking a seasonal rotating beer fridge for variety alongside lighter lagers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Citrus Hopslam taste like? Citrus Hopslam delivers bold citrus and tropical hop bitterness over a full, malt-supported body, finishing long and dry with persistent resinous hop character.

How does Citrus Hopslam compare to Bell's original Hopslam? Bell's original Hopslam is a honey-forward double IPA known for its sweetness balancing aggressive bitterness, while Citrus Hopslam shifts the emphasis toward bright citrus hop aromatics with less honey-driven sweetness. Both sit in the Imperial IPA category but offer meaningfully different flavor orientations.

Is Citrus Hopslam good for sipping neat? Yes — the complexity of an Imperial IPA at this level rewards slow, attentive drinking rather than quick consumption, making it well suited to sipping rather than session drinking.

Where is Citrus Hopslam made? Citrus Hopslam is brewed by Bell's Brewery in Michigan, USA, a state that has been central to American craft brewing since Bell's founding in Kalamazoo in 1985.

What foods pair well with Citrus Hopslam? Spicy Thai or Indian curry benefits from the beer's bitterness cutting through heat; sharp aged cheddar contrasts the citrus hop notes; grilled salmon mirrors the tropical fruit character; charred burgers hold up to the bold bitterness; and blue cheese offers a pungent counterpoint that balances the resinous finish.

What sizes does Citrus Hopslam come in? Bell's Citrus Hopslam is available in a 6pk of 12oz cans based on verified product data.

Is Citrus Hopslam worth the price? Citrus Hopslam positions as a premium craft Imperial IPA — a style that commands higher pricing due to elevated ingredient costs from heavy hop additions — and represents fair value within that tier for drinkers who actively seek assertive, hop-driven beers.

Why Bell's Citrus Hopslam?

Bell's Hopslam has long been one of the most anticipated seasonal Imperial IPAs in American craft brewing, and the Citrus variant channels that same hop-obsessive DNA with a distinctly fruit-forward identity. Brewed by one of Michigan's oldest and most respected craft operations — a brewery with nearly four decades of history — Citrus Hopslam carries genuine regional and cultural credibility in the IPA space. The 6pk can format makes it accessible for sharing without sacrificing the freshness that hop-heavy beers demand. For drinkers serious about citrus-driven, high-gravity IPAs, this is a benchmark Michigan expression.