The theory was always IPA's should be drunk within 6 months of canning. Recently, a few of the better known quality brewers (Surly, Toppling) have been putting both canned and enjoy by dates on their cans and it's between 3-4 months.

It's very difficult to try new beers that don't have at least a born on date because you really don't know if you're getting the best representation of the brew.....and I think some really good beers may get a bad rap because stores sell product that is way past it's time with no reference to clear out old stuff.

pacent wrote:Drink these fresh, the hops and added adjuncts into beers fade over time, and IPAs are particularly susceptible to this declination due to it's hop forward characteristics. IPAs are best on the day they are canned.

Totally agree, even better if you can find it on tap!

Over on Beer Advocate {forum}, persons are stating that when Bell's ramped-up production of Hopslam in 2018, many stores ramped-up their price on it.
Besides, there are a lot more craft breweries getting better at hyping themselves (contemporary one being Mikerphone), generating as much buzz as was Hopslam in 2014.
I'll pass. I am not a hophead.

pudgym29 wrote: Over on Beer Advocate {forum}, persons are stating that when Bell's ramped-up production of Hopslam in 2018, many stores ramped-up their price on it.
Besides, there are a lot more craft breweries getting better at hyping themselves (contemporary one being Mikerphone), generating as much buzz as was Hopslam in 2014.
I'll pass. I am not a hophead.

Hmmmm.....being a Hophead that looks forward to Hopslam every year, I can attest that 6 or 7 years ago, it was easily $18+ and many places were selling individual cans for $4 each because it was really hard to come by (6 pack limits everywhere).

Last year and this year it was $17 at my local spot and Costco has it for $14 (2nd yr in a row) and you can have as much as you want.

It's also got a LOT competition for great beer status as well!

stoutisgoodfood wrote:Last year and this year it was $17 at my local spot and Costco has it for $14 (2nd yr in a row) and you can have as much as you want.

It's also got a LOT competition for great beer status as well!

I picked up a sixer a week ago at my local Pete's for $13.99. Cans versus bottles has been a nice development for this beer. I may be sentimental, but it brings a little bit of sunshine to this part of a Chicago winter. Still a fan.

I'm more of a knife guy who likes flashlights than a beer guy but, when Advanced Knife Bro, one of my subscribed Youtube channels who does occasional beer reviews dropped this vertical Hopslam review, which I found humorous, I thought I'd post a link.
Does Bell's Hopslam taste better after a few years? 2017-2020 releases compared.

G Wiv wrote:I'm more of a knife guy who likes flashlights than a beer guy but, when Advanced Knife Bro, one of my subscribed Youtube channels who does occasional beer reviews dropped this vertical Hopslam review, which I found humorous, I thought I'd post a link.

I enjoyed that, thanks for sharing. "the annual running of the flannel"... haha.

bobbywal wrote:

G Wiv wrote:I'm more of a knife guy who likes flashlights than a beer guy but, when Advanced Knife Bro, one of my subscribed Youtube channels who does occasional beer reviews dropped this vertical Hopslam review, which I found humorous, I thought I'd post a link.

I enjoyed that, thanks for sharing. "the annual running of the flannel"... haha.

You beat me to it, Gary. I watched it last night and was going to post it here. I do loves me some AKB.

=R=

G Wiv wrote:I'm more of a knife guy who likes flashlights than a beer guy but, when Advanced Knife Bro, one of my subscribed Youtube channels who does occasional beer reviews dropped this vertical Hopslam review, which I found humorous, I thought I'd post a link.
Does Bell's Hopslam taste better after a few years? 2017-2020 releases compared.

Thanks for sharing. Not sure I'd have been brave enough to open the 17 and 18 , of a DIPA.

Al Ehrhardt wrote:

G Wiv wrote:I'm more of a knife guy who likes flashlights than a beer guy but, when Advanced Knife Bro, one of my subscribed Youtube channels who does occasional beer reviews dropped this vertical Hopslam review, which I found humorous, I thought I'd post a link.
Does Bell's Hopslam taste better after a few years? 2017-2020 releases compared.

Thanks for sharing. Not sure I'd have been brave enough to open the 17 and 18 , of a DIPA.

I found a single bottle of a 2007 (I think) Hopslam when moving a few years ago. Holding onto that one for a very special tasting (in which I have to barely taste it)