I found a new beer source, tasted some new brews, picked up new beer for my beer stock, and got a new belt buckle on Saturday. Rick's Wine & Gourmet had some beers out for tasting but their main draw was a small supply of Bell’s HopSlam. I’ve seen the HopSlam before at some festival or tasting but I’m not sure if I’ve ever had it. I was given half a gulp as a sample and it was quite impressive. Just the smell is overwhelming. The taste is a honey citrus explosion. At least I think so, again this was from a little sip. I think the beer guy said they got 5 cases. They started selling them at noon that day and were out in 10 minutes with a two 6-pack per person limit.
The tasting line-up:
- Blue Mountain (VA) Evil 8 ABV: 7.7%
- Smuttynose (NH) Really Old Brown Dog ABV: 7.0%.
- Lagunitas (CA) Hairy Eyeball ABV: 8.8%.
- Stone (CA) Cali-Belgique IPA ABV: 6.9%.
- Bell's (MI) HopSlam ABV: 10.0%
The Stone Cali-Belgique IPA was pretty good. It’s hard to remember after the HopSlam. I picked up a couple bombers of that and the Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog. I’ve been on a brown ale kick lately.
Rick’s had a decent beer selection. It wasn’t a huge inventory but what they had was quite nice which included the full Allagash 750ml line-up. They also had a nice large pewter Arrogant Bastard Ale belt buckle. Complete with the “You’re Not Worthy” moto (on the back). I had to add that to my collection.
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