2010. That means one thing.

Hopslam!!

That's right, it was a long day with only 15 mins of good news, so I was looking for something special. Decided to stop by the beer store that first had hopslam last year, and there it was, this years first batch. Specifically, this batch was bottled on December 23, 2009.

I love hopslam, no doubt about it, but every year is just a little different. Last year's was definitely off from the 2008 batch, so I was hoping this year would be a return to form.

Oh my is it. I poured the bottle in to a Summer 2009 Oberon pint glass, with a perfect two finger head, and beautiful amber color. The smell is that unmistakable pine scent of huge hopiness. Flavor is still amazing. Definitely better than last year, can't remember the previous batch well enough to compare it. The start is dry, yet unobtrusive. There is a hint of malt and honey. The finish is a sharp, brilliant hit of hops that isn't sticky or abusive. There is a lot of beer in this beer, let no mistake be made. This is not for the casual beer drinker, or at $20/6-pack, the cheap beer drinker. But for those of us looking for a great beer to sample on days of great accomplishment or great sorrow, this is your beer, again.

Bells, this past year has reconfirmed my love of your brews. Last year the only real highlight was the Christmas ale. Both Oberon 2008 and Hopslam 2009 were lacking. Oberon 2009, however, returned to its belgian roots. And Hopslam 2010 is simply amazing, again. Thank you.