Head to Head: Bells Hopslam vs. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Welcome to the first in our Head to head challenge. For some time the Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA has been my favorite Imperial India Pale Ale. It come out tops in a tasting of 6 IPA’s I did some months back and I am always happy to have some whether in the bottle or on draft.
The other week I had a chance to try the Bells Hopslam and immediately new that it had a chance of beating the 90 minute. So here goes.
Both beers are Imperial Indai Pale Ales. They both come from America with the Dogfish coming from Delaware and the Bells from Michigan.
The tasting was done blind and to style.
Price: Winner - 90 Minute by a margin.
Hoplsam $14.99 per six ($2.50 each)
90 Minute $8.99 per four ($2.25 each)
Appearance: Winner – tie.
Hopslam Pours amber with white head.
90 Minute Pours amber with white head.
Aroma: Winner – Hopslam by a long shot
Hopslam wonderful flower aroma, citrus, some honey sweetness, caramel
90 Minute – Pine, citrus, caramel
Taste: Winner – Hopslam
Hopslam – Definite caramel sweetness which balances the huge citrus and hops that never become to bitter.
90 Minute – Lots of hops without to much bitterness. Sweetness is present and balances well with the bitterness.
Body/Finish: Winner – Hopslam by a slight margin
Hopslam – The bitterness comes on strong as the taste lingers. Very drinkable especially considering the alcohol content.
90 Minute – Well controlled bitterness in the aftertaste. Very drinkable.
Overall: Winner – Hopslam by a much wider margin than I would of guessed
The Hopslam wins the first H2H and earns itself a spot in the cellar. If you have not tried this beer I suggest you do so. It is a seasonal release so you might have to wait till next year. Lets hope the hop shortage does not effect this beer.
Cool contest. Me and a friend do something similar with our podcast over at Bottled Llama Brewing. So, are you going to cellar all your winners and then have a huge H2H at the end of the year or something?
At this point the cellar is a mythical beast. I do try to keep my favorite beers around and will continue to try to do H2H’s. Unfortunately I have drunk all the Hopslam. I do at least one beer tasting a month with 6 beers of a style with freinds and will post on that when they happen. My next H2H will probably be an Imperial Stout so check back.