Hopslam

January is here and that means it's Hopslam season! In order to ship this beer as fresh as possible, we will be shipping to different areas (multiple batches) over the next few weeks. It will be available at the Eccentric Cafe and Bell's General Store on Jan. 3.  Hopslam cans will start shipping this week (Jan. 2) to counties in lower Michigan (Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clare, Clinton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne). Below, you will find shipping information about the rest of our distribution footprint. The dates below are when beer will start shipping to each state, not actual delivery dates. Please keep in mind that there could be delays and that the beer may still have to travel to our distributors' warehouses first then travel to stores, bars and restaurants.  Our best advice is to reach out to your local retailer, bar and/or restaurant after it has started shipping. They will have the most up-to-date information about their specific deliveries and/or availability. Please also keep in mind that it may take some time before that info is available. Be patient and keep an eye on social media for additional details. Untappd is also a good resource. Week of Jan. 8: Remaining counties in Michigan (including the U.P.), Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia Week of Jan. 15: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Southern California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia Other helpful LINKS Our Beer Finder (please remember to call ahead and that results are based on deliveries) Our calendar: Hopslam release parties and other events Hopslam gear from our General Store What is Hopslam? [[{"fid":"3214","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]] Can I cellar Hopslam? [[{"fid":"3215","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]] Why is Hopslam in cans? [[{"fid":"3217","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]] Why brew Hopslam once a year? [[{"fid":"3218","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]

Hopslam is one of our most sought after beers. It is also one of our beers that generates a lot of questions.  helpful LINKS Our Beer Finder (please remember to call ahead and that results are based on deliveries) Our calendar: Hopslam release parties and other events Hopslam gear from our General Store And since you asked, we've got answers. But first, what exactly is Hopslam? Director of Operations, John Mallett, tackles that and more. He also has one of the most unique descriptions for Hopslam, one you won't find on any label or packaging.  Can I cellar Hopslam? What does the honey do? Why cans?   Why only once a year? How to enjoy a Bell's mini-keg [[{"fid":"6231","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]  

A special Untappd badge is now available to help celebrate this year's Hopslam release! Available starting today, you have until Feb. 6 to claim it. All you have to do is check-in to one (1) Hopslam.  For more information on shipping dates to your area, go here. Other helpful links Our Beer Finder (please remember to call ahead and that results are based on deliveries) Our calendar: Hopslam release parties and other events Hopslam gear from our General Store.  

Update (1/9/17): Please contact the General Store before making a trip to purchase Hopslam: 269-382-5712 Update (1/5/17): Hopslam is now available at the Bell's General Store. There is a 3 case limit (6-packs only, no mini-kegs this year). If you plan on driving from a distance, please call ahead before you make the trip: 269-382-5712 January is here and that means it's Hopslam season! In order to ship this beer as fresh as possible, we will be shipping to different areas (multiple batches) over the next few weeks. Hopslam cans will start shipping this week (Jan. 2) to counties in lower Michigan (Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clare, Clinton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne). Below, you will find shipping information about the rest of our distribution footprint. Please keep in mind that there could be delays and that the beer may still have to travel to our distributors' warehouses first.  [[{"fid":"3197","view_mode":"default","type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"2017 Bell's Hopslam Untappd Badge","title":"2017 Bell's Hopslam Untappd Badge","height":600,"width":600,"style":"width: 300px; height: 300px; float: right; margin: 10px;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]Our best advice is to reach out to your local retailer, bar and/or restaurant first. They will have the most up-to-date information about their specific deliveries and/or availability. Please also keep in mind that it may take some time before that info is available. Be patient and keep an eye on social media for additional details. Untappd is also a good resource. Week of Jan. 9: Northern Michigan and the U.P., Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin Week of Jan. 16: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Southern California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Virginia Other helpful LINKS Our Beer Finder (please remember to call ahead and that results are based on deliveries) Our calendar: Hopslam release parties and other events Hopslam gear from our General Store Check-in on Untappd from Jan. 6 until Feb. 6 to claim our celebratory badge. 

RateBeer.com has released its annual RateBeer Best Awards for 2015. More than 300,000 beers from over 18,500 brewers worldwide were tallied last year. We are again, very honored and thankful for all of our fans and their support. Not only were we honored as the Top Brewer in our home state, Bell’s also was named the 9th Top Brewer in the World. Black Note, Expedition Stout and Hopslam were all ranked as Top Beers in the World. In the Best Beers by Style Category, Hopslam, Black Note and Two Hearted brought home silver medals in their respective categories (Double IPA, Strong Stout/Imperial Stout and IPA). Expedition Stout was also honored with a bronze medal. Again, a huge thank you to the RateBeer community. We are very grateful. Cheers!

One of our most sought after beers, Hopslam Ale, will be packaged solely in six-packs of 12 oz. cans and kegs when it returns in January for its annual release. The Double India Pale Ale, brewed with Michigan honey, will not be bottled as it has been in the past. “With construction here at the brewery on top of an already very busy schedule for our existing Bottling Hall, this was the only way to ensure that this beer got to market as quickly and as fresh as possible,” said Bell’s Vice President Laura Bell. “Our Canning Line is very well equipped to lend a hand and help get this aromatic beer to our fans and customers so that they can enjoy it as it is intended,” she added. Our current expansion will almost triple our Comstock Brewery's footprint once it is completed next year. Part of that construction is a new Bottling Hall that will be able to run at triple the speed of our current bottling line. Future packaging decisions, beyond 2016, will be decided at a later date and as construction wraps up next year. Hopslam (10% ABV) will be the sixth Bell’s beer to be packaged in cans. Two Hearted and Bell’s seasonal offerings (Oberon, Best Brown, Winter White and Smitten) are packaged in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans.  Two Hearted (year round) and Oberon (March - August) are also available in 12-packs of 12 oz. cans.

Thanks to our friends at WarPigs Brewpub for hosting us. This batch of Hopslam is small - 10 hectoliters or about 8.5 barrels.