Bell's Hopslam 6Pk Cans

Bell's Hopslam 6Pk Cans is a 10% ABV Double India Pale Ale from Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, packaged as a six-pack of cans. This aggressively hopped DIPA earned a perfect 100 score on RateBeer and a 98 on BeerAdvocate across more than 14,000 ratings, placing it among the most acclaimed Double IPAs in the world. RateBeer named it one of the 100 best beers globally and a top 15 Double IPA.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10%  |  Origin: Kalamazoo, Michigan  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Hopslam features the most complex hopping schedule in the entire Bell's lineup. Six different Pacific Northwest hop varietals are added throughout the brew kettle process, culminating in a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops. The grain bill of Two-Row and Caramel malts is bolstered by a generous addition of honey, providing enough body and sweetness to stand up against the aggressive hop character. This interplay between a substantial malt backbone, real honey, and an elaborate multi-varietal hop schedule is what separates Hopslam from the crowded DIPA field.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus and mango dominate the nose immediately, followed by layers of honey, caramel, and biscuity malt. Underneath, piney resin and mandarin orange peel add aromatic depth that intensifies as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry hits with a rush of piney, resinous hop character alongside grapefruit rind and orange peel bitterness. Mid-palate, honey sweetness and caramel malt assert themselves to provide genuine balance. Dank, citrusy hop flavors build toward a peak of pine-citrus intensity that showcases all six hop varietals working in concert.

Finish: A firm, lingering bitterness anchors the finish, with pine resin and citrus rind trailing off at a measured pace. The honey sweetness recedes gradually, leaving a dry, resinous close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Hopslam

Serve Hopslam slightly chilled — around 45–50°F — in a tulip glass or snifter to let the complex aromatics open up fully. Pouring into proper glassware rather than drinking straight from the can reveals the layered mango, citrus, and honey notes that define this beer. A Boilermaker pairing with a straight bourbon amplifies the honey and caramel malt backbone. A Hopslam Float — vanilla ice cream in a pint glass topped with Hopslam — is a decadent combination where the hop bitterness cuts through the cream's richness. For brunch, a Beermosa blending equal parts Hopslam and fresh orange juice plays off the beer's natural citrus and mango character.

Best For

• Sharing among dedicated craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate hop-forward intensity
• Side-by-side Double IPA tastings alongside peers like Pliny the Elder and Heady Topper
• Pairing with bold, spicy dishes that benefit from honey-malt sweetness
• Celebrating a milestone with one of the world's top-rated beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hopslam taste like? Hopslam delivers an intense hop-forward experience defined by piney resin, grapefruit rind, and orange peel, balanced by noticeable honey sweetness and caramel malt. The bitterness is substantial but never unmoored, thanks to the generous malt and honey backbone.

How does Hopslam compare to Pliny the Elder? Both are widely regarded as benchmark American Double IPAs and frequently appear together on top beer lists. Hopslam distinguishes itself through its use of honey and a six-varietal hopping schedule, while Pliny the Elder is known for a cleaner, more purely hop-driven profile without adjunct sweetness.

Is Hopslam good for sipping? At 10% ABV, Hopslam rewards slow, deliberate sipping from a tulip glass at around 45–50°F, which allows its layered hop, honey, and malt complexity to unfold fully over time.

Where is Hopslam made? Hopslam is brewed by Bell's Brewery at their facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bell's is one of the most respected and widely distributed craft breweries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Hopslam? Spicy Thai curries work well because the honey sweetness tames capsaicin heat. Sharp aged cheddar benefits from the hop bitterness cutting through richness. Grilled sausages complement the smoky caramel malt backbone. Citrus-glazed pork echoes the beer's mango and orange peel notes. Blue cheese pairs surprisingly well, as the honey balances the cheese's pungency.

What sizes does Hopslam come in? Hopslam is commonly available in six-packs of cans and on draft at select locations.

Is Hopslam worth the price? Hopslam positions as a premium craft Double IPA, and its perfect 100 on RateBeer, 98 on BeerAdvocate, and recognition as one of the top 100 beers in the world provide strong justification for the price point within the DIPA category.

Why Hopslam?

A perfect 100 on RateBeer and a 98 on BeerAdvocate across tens of thousands of reviews are not easily earned — they reflect a beer that has consistently delivered at the highest level. The six-varietal Pacific Northwest hopping schedule, capped by a massive Simcoe dry-hop addition, is the most complex of any beer Bell's produces. The addition of real honey to the grain bill creates a balance between sweetness and bitterness that few Double IPAs manage to achieve without tipping to one extreme. For hop-forward beer drinkers, Hopslam represents American craft brewing at its most ambitious and its most rewarding.