OT - Hopslam in Chicago
For those of you Chicago MGoBloggers, my local beer store got its shipment of Hopslam this week. I know that there was some turmoil as to when it would be released given the weird two announcements from Bells. But I assure you 2012 Hopslam is out and it is wonderful!
January 13th, 2012 at 8:20 PM ^
Trying to find it in GR - anyone seeing it on the west side? I had to resort to Two Hearted last night #firstworldbeerproblems
January 13th, 2012 at 8:27 PM ^
I just called Siciliano's, but they won't have it until next week. Wonderland would be my next bet on the west side.
January 13th, 2012 at 8:34 PM ^
I grab a weekly six-pack mixer every Saturday at Sicilianos.
Fantastic selection.
January 13th, 2012 at 8:42 PM ^
Thank you, sir. Just called Rockford Dry Dock and he said next Friday...FWIW.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:09 PM ^
Said they get their shipment in on Monday
January 13th, 2012 at 8:21 PM ^
I'm pretty sure I saw it this week on the Green Rd. Busch's in Ann Arbor, as well. Didn't pick any up yet, but it's On My List.
January 13th, 2012 at 8:23 PM ^
where is your store at in Chicago?
January 13th, 2012 at 11:13 PM ^
PLEASE ANSWER THIS MAN!!
January 13th, 2012 at 11:55 PM ^
My store in Chicago is Vrai Amour two blocks south of fullerton. Father and son operation. From Michigan, used to have Michigan season tickets. Great beer, better people. Tell them Paul send ya.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:01 AM ^
Thanks for the tip, I have been calling binny's for two weeks asking if they knew when it was coming in, they claimed no idea, end of january. Sitting waiting for takeout last night and checked the site and saw this. Called them and sure enough they had it. Rushed over there 15 minutes before closing. One case per customer, I asked for 3 and the guy laughed at me and said he wished he could buy 3 as well... It sells out in chicago in like 2 days, going back today for another case...
January 14th, 2012 at 9:35 AM ^
You're a bastard for buying 2 cases of it in that situation. Everyone on here is a bastard for hyping my favorite beer on a football message board.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:09 PM ^
I know, I do feel a bit greedy... I actually went back within 24 hrs and they had 2 cases left. But it is an addiction, can't help it. Giving a 6-pack to my buddy who just had a kid helps my conscience? i can say that with a straight face...
January 13th, 2012 at 8:23 PM ^
I looked for it today and didn't see it!
January 13th, 2012 at 8:25 PM ^
Drinking It on tap as we speak. Ashley's - Ann Arbor. Mmm good
January 13th, 2012 at 8:28 PM ^
Anyone remember the first year it was brewed in 06? It didn't have honey in it back then. But it was only for a year. Real good regardless.
January 13th, 2012 at 8:31 PM ^
I just picked up a 6er tonight.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:27 PM ^
Go to Terry's Turf Club in the Nati for the best burger in town and a hopslam, sit at the bar and talk to terry, he'll throw you some extra food... and then enjoy the diabetes kicking in while on the couch watching football...
January 13th, 2012 at 8:39 PM ^
January 14th, 2012 at 2:50 AM ^
Having worked at Bells for 2 years while in school, I second this thought.
January 13th, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^
I'm so glad I live in Kalamazoo, I never have to wait I just go downtown and drink at Bells. On a side note I have to give a shout out to Arcadia, just because my parents founded it.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:11 PM ^
Shipwrecked right now. Thank you for that beer. Tis amazing
January 13th, 2012 at 10:09 PM ^
Bell's, not so much
January 13th, 2012 at 9:19 PM ^
January 13th, 2012 at 9:21 PM ^
Hopefully you aren't talking about Hopslam. That stuff is like 12% alcohol.
January 14th, 2012 at 2:18 PM ^
You must not know JimLahey, he can handle it.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:10 PM ^
What's everyone's ranking of Bell's?
Personally:
1. Hopslam
2. Two Hearted
3. Oberon
4. Anything else
January 13th, 2012 at 9:12 PM ^
Double chocolate cream stout is good too
January 13th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^
1. Hopslam
2. Best Brown
3. Two Hearted
4. Winter White
5. Double Cream Stout
6.Oarsman
7. Oberon
8. Java Stout
January 13th, 2012 at 9:27 PM ^
Hopslam and Two Hearted are the only two Bell's I really enjoy. I actually prefer Arcadia Whitsun Ale over Oberon by a mile - it's just too bad it's harder to find (on tap especially).
January 13th, 2012 at 9:29 PM ^
Agree with the Whitsun. I'm not really a fan of any of the other Arcadias, but that stuff is the troof. Still, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have fond memories of scotch ale at Heidelberg's happy hour.
January 13th, 2012 at 11:00 PM ^
22 years divorced from A2, and I still miss that place. When I was there it was a world-class beer selection and hardcore punk. Misfits/Minor Threat wannabees.
Cool mix, once in a while.
Ate there in a pinch with the family after a Michigan hockey game last winter. The food was phenomenal, so was the beer.
And no punk music.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:20 PM ^
Whitsun is delicious.
Oberon has steadily declined to the point where it no longer even piques my interest at the bar/store. Even though its a big deal when it comes out in SW Michigan when I grow up as a kind of "Summer is here!!" symbol, I can't even get excited about it anymore.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:43 PM ^
Two Hearted and Hopslam are a little much for me:
1. Oberon circa 2005
2. Pale Ale
3. Oberon circa 2006
4. Winter White
5. Oatmeal Stout
6. Two Hearted
7. Oberon 2007-present
8. Hopslam
January 13th, 2012 at 11:59 PM ^
1. Hopslam
<br>2. Two Hearted
<br>3. Expedition Stout
<br>4. Oracle
<br>5. Porter
<br>6. Amber
<br>7. Oberon
<br>Shoot, I'd better stop before I get to ten.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:04 AM ^
Damn, I also had Hell Hath No Fury in a burbon barrel that was epic...
January 14th, 2012 at 12:20 PM ^
Also, I've never had Black Note Stout, but I'd bet it would be #1 or #2. Can't believe this was the first mention of Expedition Stout.
January 14th, 2012 at 3:15 PM ^
Black Note is very good, but I've only had it once or twice, so hard to say its one of my favorites. If you can find it and like huge stouts, you'll like it.
For the uninitiated its a blend of expedition and double cream aged in a bourbon barrel for awhile. IIRC, there's a plan to be a 750ML bottle release at some point soon-ish.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:31 AM ^
1. Hop Slam (special occasions)
2. Two Hearted Ale (favorite regular beer, hence the name)
3. Oberon (favorite summer beer)
4. Winter White (winter)
January 14th, 2012 at 9:57 AM ^
1. Hopslam
2. Two Hearted
3. Double Cream Stout
4. Porter
5. Best Brown
Honorable Mention: Kalamazoo Stout
January 13th, 2012 at 9:11 PM ^
My wife is going to go into labor any day now, so we're stuck at home. should I be drinking right now? Of course not, but my grandpa got me a bottle of Blue Label, so yeah, I'm drinking, and listening to Dean Martin, and Ray Lamontagne.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^
Congrats on the future Wolverine! Blue label is the best one, right? I never can remember the ordering, and which color label is the best bang for the buck.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:26 PM ^
The outfit he's coming home from the hospital in is ALL Michigan, haha. His room has two posters in it, Bo Schembechler and one that simply reads "The Team" in maze and blue. It's a Winnie the Pooh design, but the maze and blue touches work well wih it.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:40 PM ^
Haha, love it! Hopefully (s)he'll be singing "The Victors" before you know it! And nice change of the avatar.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:46 PM ^
Red < Black < Green < Gold (Maize) < Blue
January 13th, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
Nice, thanks Clay. Now the question is where is the line drawn between "guh" and "tasty".
January 13th, 2012 at 9:23 PM ^
You like Ray? Try William Elliott Whitmore. Trust me - he is Ray Lamontagne mixed with Johnny Cash and Otis Redding.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:27 PM ^
Will definitely give him a listen, I need some new music to listen to. I've been wearing out Ray's "God willing and the creek don't rise" album.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:30 PM ^
Good call! And congrats, man.
January 13th, 2012 at 9:36 PM ^
Means a lot.