mtpleasanteater Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I am drinking some Hop Slam right now and couldn't be happier with it. I was thinking about why the price doesn't bother me that much, and came up with the following reasons: 1) It is (for me) certainly a class above Stone, HopWallop, or Troeggs. I think that the Green Flash IPA might be better and cheaper, but I can't really think of any others that are clearly better in the bottle. Again, this is all just my opinion. 2) Many, many beers are priced at a similar price point but not sold in six packs. There are dozens and dozens of beers sold in 22s for a much higher cost per ounce (22 ounces of Hopslam would be about $8) and few are better. The rare Italian stuff is often above $20 for 20 ounces. There are also many many beers sold in 12 ounce bottles which cost more, a six pack of Orval would be just as much or more. I've seen some Dogfish stuff for $12 for 12 ounces. 3) I shudder to think how many times I have paid 6 or even 7 dollars for Sierra or Brooklyn Brewery beers in a bar. 4) The limited availability guarantees that it is fresh, which is definitely worth paying more for in my opinion. (I use bullet points because I am lazy, not because I want to to make my statements appear dogmatic.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyjoan Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 It's $13.99 and $16.99 per sixer at the two liquor stores that got a (teensy weensy) shipment today in Atlanta. I will be racing out my office door in approximately 15 minutes to try to get my hands on some... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedE Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 2) Many, many beers are priced at a similar price point but not sold in six packs. There are dozens and dozens of beers sold in 22s for a much higher cost per ounce (22 ounces of Hopslam would be about $8) and few are better. The rare Italian stuff is often above $20 for 20 ounces. There are also many many beers sold in 12 ounce bottles which cost more, a six pack of Orval would be just as much or more. I've seen some Dogfish stuff for $12 for 12 ounces. And if it had been sold in a bomber at $8 I would have bought one; I've bought gallons and gallons of beer as 22s that I never would have purchased as 6 packs for $20+. As I said before I think it's more of a marketing thing. They set the barrier for entry to this beer in any quantity at $20+ retail, that is bound to lose you some sales. HopSlam (to me) just isn't that special. Now seeing that it is available elsewhere as low as $14 makes me wonder if this is all Whole Food's doing. Where else in the DC area is it available for cheaper? At $16 I probably wouldn't blink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durwoodx Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 The lowest I have seen it in the area is $19.50. The highest is $25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan7147 Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 The lowest I have seen it in the area is $19.50. The highest is $25. $18.99 at Rodman's on Wisconsin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brr Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I'm with MtPleasanteater. Hopslam is absolutely worth it to me at $20 a 6 pack. I had heard the wholesale price for a case was $60, meaning that $18-20 a sixer is reasonable (anything more than 20 is just gouging) and that the place in Atlanta is selling it at a loss unless they have relatives at Bells Brewery And if it had been sold in a bomber at $8 I would have bought one; I've bought gallons and gallons of beer as 22s that I never would have purchased as 6 packs for $20+. As I said before I think it's more of a marketing thing. They set the barrier for entry to this beer in any quantity at $20+ retail, that is bound to lose you some sales. HopSlam (to me) just isn't that special. Now seeing that it is available elsewhere as low as $14 makes me wonder if this is all Whole Food's doing. Where else in the DC area is it available for cheaper? At $16 I probably wouldn't blink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPop Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 FWIW, WF on P Street still has HopSlam listed on the shelf at $23.99, but when they ring you up at the register it checks out for $20.99. Maybe someone grew a conscience and realized that $4/beer was a total ripoff as opposed to just a ripoff? If you couldn't tell, I'm in the contingent that thinks that $20+ for a sixer of this stuff is nuts. It's good, but in no way twice as good as a lot of the offerings they have in the $10/sixer range. Gimme 12 bottles of Bear Republic Racer 5 over 6 bottles of HopSlam at the same price any day of the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 HopSlam now at Ray's, $6 bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickmoon Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Proof had HopSlam on tap ($7) last night. My, what a pleasant surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Proof had HopSlam on tap ($7) last night. My, what a pleasant surprise. That's the best bargain in D.C., then. Hooray for Proof! I've had it on draught in two bars in town. One charged $10/glass, another $8/glass. By contrast, the Cowboy Cafe on Lee Highway in Arlington charges $6/glass (I'm assuming that these are all similar servings, i.e., pint glasses) Our price at Ace is $19.99/6-pack. Considering that some customers actually bought an entire case of it, and it is highly allocated, I don't think that our price is out of line. If stores in Atlanta were charging $13.99, then they either A) are selling it at a loss, or B ) Their wholesaler took a smaller margin than ours has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhone1998 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 That's the best bargain in D.C., then. They've had it for $4/glass during happy hour at Bistro La Bonne (formerly Axis Grilll) on U Street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 They've had it for $4/glass during happy hour at Bistro La Bonne (formerly Axis Grilll) on U Street. Zounds and gadzooks! Even better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhone1998 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 They've had it for $4/glass during happy hour at Bistro La Bonne (formerly Axis Grilll) on U Street. Spoke to the manager tonight, who says the Hopslam isn't likely to last through the week...get it while you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brr Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Big Hunt pouring a few interesting Bells Beers on draft this week. Expedition needs no introduction - whoah what a monster of a beer. Oarsman, a Berliner Weiss style beer....interesting, tart, refreshing, and Consecrator, a doppelbock - I'm generally not a fan of doppelbocks - too much sweetness and maltiness going on. Favorite beer this week is probably Yeti's Hibernation Ale - truly outstanding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Bell's 9000 is now available. Über-limited, too. Slightly less-expensive than the Hop-Slam. Brewed with Molasses and brewers licorice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durwoodx Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Bell's 9000 is now available. Über-limited, too. Slightly less-expensive than the Hop-Slam. Brewed with Molasses and brewers licorice. I got two six packs of it and have tried a couple of bottles. This stuff would age very, very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers2000 Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Picked up a 6 pack of the Bells 9000 today...holy molasses, the first few sips were REAL sweet. I agree with the above that this stuff will age well, but at the moment its a bit too much molasses for me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brr Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 on tap @bighuntdc Bell's 9000 is now available. Über-limited, too. Slightly less-expensive than the Hop-Slam. Brewed with Molasses and brewers licorice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flavortown Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hopslam ($7) and Batch 9000 ($?) are both on tap at Birch & Barley and Churchkey, so I gave them a try after my shift tonight. The former was surprisingly less hoppy than I expected, and I could see myself drinking it regularly. As for the 9000...it's extremely sweet, and unlike any beer I've had before. Downing just a two ounce tasting pour took effort, and could best be compared to consuming straight syrup. I could never imagine drinking this stuff with food...like the bartender said, "it'd be like taking a bite of chocolate cake between bites of whatever you're eating." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Bell's Oberon Summer Ale at Ray's. $4 a bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brr Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Hopslam has arrived. Churchkey is tapping a keg at 4pm today.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Churchkey is tapping a keg at 4pm today.... Don't think I want to brave the crowds that this is going to draw. Has anyone seen it on the shelves yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Don't think I want to brave the crowds that this is going to draw. Has anyone seen it on the shelves yet? Hop Slam is due to arrive possibly by the end of this week. I wouldn't be surprised to see some "teaser" kegs at places like Churchkey a day or two before you see it on retail shelves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 According to Jason Mader, who was at ChurchKey, go for it in the bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcanuck Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 And at the other end of the spectrum, we have the Oarsman Ale and Third Coast Beer. I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone could let me know if either of these rare specimens are spotted in our environs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedE Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 And at the other end of the spectrum, we have the Oarsman Ale and Third Coast Beer. I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone could let me know if either of these rare specimens are spotted in our environs. Both of them are fairly widely available (Oarsman moreso than 3rd Coast). I know for fact that Oarsman could be had at the Tenlytown WF as of late last week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers2000 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 And at the other end of the spectrum, we have the Oarsman Ale and Third Coast Beer. I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone could let me know if either of these rare specimens are spotted in our environs. The Oarsman Ale was at Cleveland Park Liquors as of yesterday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMango Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Enjoying a shockingly good pairing right now: Bell's Special Double Cream Stout with spicy (chicken broth and Tabasco-based) vegetable soup. MOM's was the place of purchase; the one on Glebe road. Tempted to venture out into the oncoming snow to snag another 6 pack... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 And at the other end of the spectrum, we have the Oarsman Ale and Third Coast Beer. I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone could let me know if either of these rare specimens are spotted in our environs. We had the Oarsman. Might still be available. Feel free to call me at the store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synaesthesia Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 And at the other end of the spectrum, we have the Oarsman Ale and Third Coast Beer. I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone could let me know if either of these rare specimens are spotted in our environs. Seen both at Rodman's, which also has 10,000. Really enjoyed the 10,000 personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Tom Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Food Matters has HopSlam in bottles. Limited supplies. Tasting note: Delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Food Matters has HopSlam in bottles. Limited supplies. Tasting note: Delicious. Got ours yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcanuck Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Got ours yesterday. In case you see this, I'm going to brave the traffic and try to be at Ace this afternoon. I'd love some of the Oarsman and Hopslam. Please IM me if you think you'll be out of stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plunk Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Love the 2011 Hopslam. Super grapefruity; but sorta sweet, too. Better than last year's, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Freshman Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 In case you see this, I'm going to brave the traffic and try to be at Ace this afternoon. I'd love some of the Oarsman and Hopslam. Please IM me if you think you'll be out of stock. We have a keg of Hopslam on tap at Spider Kelly's as of yesterday. Tasty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmmboy Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 We have a keg of Hopslam on tap at Spider Kelly's as of yesterday. Tasty... I'm gonna have to get over there. Ended my night with a bottle of the just released Hopslam at Estadio last night and it was stunning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 FYI: the Euromarket at Wilson Boulevard and Veitch Street in Courthouse has Hopslam, Oarsman, and a few other Bell's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Bear Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 There was press in the post about Hopslam: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/beer/beer-2.html That should fuel the fire. Just bought a six pack from Westover Grocery for $25 (I was down to pick up my dry cleaning across the street). Figured I'd see what all the fuss was about. Not bad, but $4+ a bottle? I don't think so. Rather prefer the Green Flash IPA on tap at the Lost Dog across the road, or for that matter the Northern Lights IPA made by Star Hill locally down near Charlottesville, VA. But for you Hop Heads on the trail of a source, there ya go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanchai Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 There was press in the post about Hopslam: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/beer/beer-2.html That should fuel the fire. Just bought a six pack from Westover Grocery for $25 (I was down to pick up my dry cleaning across the street). Figured I'd see what all the fuss was about. Not bad, but $4+ a bottle? I don't think so. Rather prefer the Green Flash IPA on tap at the Lost Dog across the road, or for that matter the Northern Lights IPA made by Star Hill locally down near Charlottesville, VA. But for you Hop Heads on the trail of a source, there ya go. Interestingly enough, I was in Chambersburg, PA this past weekend at a great beer distributor, In and Out Beverage. They were expecting their Hopslam to come in this week. While they can only sell by the case, they are only charging $62.99 for a case of Hopslam. Sounds like a business opportunity for someone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedE Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 There was press in the post about Hopslam: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/beer/beer-2.html That should fuel the fire. Just bought a six pack from Westover Grocery for $25 (I was down to pick up my dry cleaning across the street). Figured I'd see what all the fuss was about. Not bad, but $4+ a bottle? I don't think so. Rather prefer the Green Flash IPA on tap at the Lost Dog across the road, or for that matter the Northern Lights IPA made by Star Hill locally down near Charlottesville, VA. But for you Hop Heads on the trail of a source, there ya go. I agree on Green Flash, but even better is Le Freak. I picked one up thinking it would be interesting in a gimmicky way, but Green Flash + Belgian Trippel = way more than the sum of its parts. The Belgian yeasts have an effect similar to the honey in Hopslam. Really a fantastic brew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Freshman Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Our keg is gone, alas. Fear not though; I just found out that we are getting a couple kegs of Sierra's Hoptimum Imperial IPA very soon. Haven't tried it, but it promises to be big: IBU 100, 10% ABV...We'll see if it is also balanced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyjoan Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Our liquor store in the 'burbs had Hopslam for $16.99 per sixer, but I heard that at least one place in town had it for $13.99. One of Atlanta's premiere craft beer shops got 10 cases, and they sold out in a couple of hours. In any case, I will be enjoying mine this weekend, and possibly sacrificing one bottle to make some beer bread. Yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Ragtime is getting Hopslam tomorrow - dammit, I need to feel better! I've got a six but I'd like to try it on tap... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Bell's is a phenomenal brewery. This thread was started in 2006, over four years ago - does anyone really believe Bell's is still a phenomenal brewery? Cheers, Rocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan7147 Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 This thread was started in 2006, over four years ago - does anyone really believe Bell's is still a phenomenal brewery? Cheers, Rocks Yup... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jparrott Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 This thread was started in 2006, over four years ago - does anyone really believe Bell's is still a phenomenal brewery? By and large, I think the beers suffer from "Dogfish Disease"--a little extra weight/extract for the stated style. But Oarsmen is delicious (and there's not a lot of light sour beer out there at any price), Cherry Stout is well done in the style, and Two Hearted holds its alcohol pretty well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedE Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 By and large, I think the beers suffer from "Dogfish Disease"--a little extra weight/extract for the stated style. But Oarsmen is delicious (and there's not a lot of light sour beer out there at any price), Cherry Stout is well done in the style, and Two Hearted holds its alcohol pretty well. I think the only thing they suffer from is overexposure of their "big beers". Both DFH and Bells make top notch everyday beers, it's just that they only get media saturation from their more extreme offerings. 60 Minute and Shelter Pale are go-to beers. Third Coast Ale get's overshadowed by its big brothers. Bell's Porter may be my favorite American porter ever (I first had it in '94 or '95, and it was one of the beers that turned me on to craft brews for good). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 I agree - they tend to overdo their "big beers" a bit, but DFH and Bell's are both breweries where I will not hesitate to try their new stuff, and for the most part, will not hesitate to recommend (within taste variances) their beers to others. That being said! The Bell's Winter White has consistently sucked in my opinion. Strictly IMHO. There are a couple of DFH beers that suck but I find Dogfish to be more experimental. Hopslam was fantastic two years ago, not so great last year. This year? I'm liking it a good bit - having now had it on tap and in bottle. It's not wonderful, but it's worth the price, and in my opinion, that's all you can ask for (even at $20 a six pack, or $9 a pint at Ragtime). BTW, Ragtime only tapped their 1/6tth keg at 8 PM tonight. I camped out (from 5 PM) to get the first pint,and one other. I greatly enjoyed them but that was all I needed. For the rest of the night, to wash down my antibiotics, I'll stick with Miller Lite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtpleasanteater Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 I haven't had this year's Hopslam but I agree with most of what's written above esp. the comments about the winter white, and while some of the bigger beers are weak some of the dark beers are really first rate. I had a sixer of the Java Stout over Christmas that I really loved. I recently drank two of the 9000th batch beers that I had been keeping in the back of my fridge and they were about as good as any bottled beer that I've had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedE Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 The P St WF had plenty of HopSlam on Friday night, I'm sure it is gone by now. It could have been had for the aforementioned $25/6-pack or $50 for one of their mini-barrels Edit: As of tonight (Sunday) they still had several six-packs in the cooler for $25 $26. HopSlam seekers, have at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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