Bell’s Hopslam Back In Fargo - But Not For Long!

By Nikki Berglund
Staff Writer

Well here goes my first attempt at a beer article. Typically I don’t write about beer because, although I enjoy the occasional Corona in the summer, I am far from an expert on what makes beer interesting. Lately though, with all of these new fancy pants beers popping up all over the place, my interest is piqued. That’s why I have vowed that in 2011 I will expand my alcoholic beverage horizons while also providing you beer drinkers out there with an occasional story about some of the cool new beer options out there.

Lucky for me, I am fortunate enough to work side by side with someone I do consider quite an expert on the subject, my coworker and beer extraordinaire Jamie Coppin. Not only do I owe most of the knowledge I do have on the subject to his expertise, but his excitement is contagious. His passion and desire to try all things new and interesting (hard job I know) in the world of beer was especially evident in the last couple of weeks with the impending arrival of Bell’s Brewery’s winter offering, Hopslam.

Bell’s Brewery, out of Kalamazoo, MI, is the oldest craft brewery east of Boulder, Colorado. They currently have quite a few selections already floating around town, the most popular of which is the Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale. You can usually find this beer on tap anywhere in town that prides itself on having a good beer selection. The business concept of Bell’s Brewery is to “brew thoughtfully, creatively, and artistically.” The company has been around since 1983 when Larry Bell started a home brewing supply shop, with the first beer actually being brewed in 1985. Although he brewed his first beer in a 15-gallon soup kettle, by 2009 Bell’s was making more like 124,000 barrels per year.

For weeks before this beer arrived, phone calls came pouring in asking for an arrival date. Everyone was a little sad when the truck containing the relatively small shipment of beer ran a few days late due to our glorious winter weather. According to my online research, it seems as though this means that while everyone else in the country is already out, we still have it in Fargo! Once it is gone, you won’t see it again until next January, so make sure to get it while you can.

Some of you may be asking what is this stuff and why do so many people want it? Well first off, I was pretty shocked by the price, since a six pack runs for about $17- $19! This may seem insane to some, but the customers we have seen have hardly blinked an eye over the price. As I mentioned before, this is the winter seasonal for Bell’s and has a whopping 10 percent alcohol. This double India Pale Ale (IPA) has six different hops varietals and after being subjected to the most complex hopping schedule out of all of the Bell’s products, is then brewed with honey to sweeten up the finish.

For this article and because he was going to drink it regardless, Jamie’s “research” consisted of one of the new 5-Liter kegs of Hopslam, a couple of good friends to help him drink it and his beautiful (and tolerant) pregnant wife Angie who provided a much needed sober ride home – 10 percent alcohol people!

When I asked Jamie to sum up his experience with this year’s offering, his well thought out responses made me ask why the hell he isn’t writing this himself; I may have to explore this more in the future. Here is what he had to say: “For a double IPA, this be one of the most balanced I have ever had. Because it is so well balanced, it’s not only good for the seasoned craft beer drinker, but also for the novice. This beer is very approachable and well structured with a smooth finish.” Amazing how much talking about beer sounds like what I have to say about my favorite wines.

When asked to provide a quote about how best to describe his feelings about Bell’s Hopslam, while also keeping it clean since his analogies often consist of scenarios that are unprintable–even in the HPR–Jamie said, “This beer has the strength of 1000 bulls, but with the finesse of 1000 angels.” Hmm, a little over the top I guess, but I think it sums it up pretty well.
Besides being able to find it at a few liquor stores in town, there are four bars that have (or had?) it on tap: the HoDo, the Sidestreet, and both JL Beers.

For questions on all things beer, Jamie would love to hear from you at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Other questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

IF YOU GO:
What: Bell’s Hopslam
Where: Bernie’s Liquors 1557 University Drive South
When: Till Bernie’s runs out
Contact: 701-232-3434