Let’s be honest: sometimes a beer just nails the vibe. Tropical Hopslam is one of those beers.
Brewed by Bell’s with an unapologetically bold mix of tropical hop character—think pineapple, mango, passionfruit—it’s a double IPA that doesn’t just hit hard on ABV (9%), it also brings serious beach energy, even if you’re drinking it in your backyard or under fluorescent lighting.
And while a lot of “tropical” beers out there are brewed with fruit, this one isn’t. There’s no pineapple puree or mango juice in here. Just hops—cleverly selected and layered hops—that somehow pull off a fresh fruit illusion without crossing into juicebox territory.
So what does it actually taste like?
The first thing you’ll notice is the aroma. It’s loud in the best way: big bursts of citrus, tropical fruit, maybe a little pine sneaking in. The flavor follows through—juicy, slightly sweet, and just bitter enough to remind your palate who’s boss.
It’s not a sugar bomb. It’s not hazy for the sake of being hazy. It’s just bright. Like a backyard speaker session with friends. Like sunscreen and sunglasses and slightly-too-hot picnic tables.
Is it a summer beer?
Honestly? Yeah, but not in a delicate, light lager kind of way. Tropical Hopslam is summer turned up to 11. It’s what you reach for when you want your beer to feel like a vacation—big, flavorful, and a little bit wild.
That said, you probably don’t want to crush three in one sitting unless your afternoon plans involve horizontal activities and zero responsibilities. It’s a 9% ABV beer, and it drinks like it’s much friendlier than that. Respect it.
Where to find it?
It’s a limited release, so if you see it, grab it. Throw it in your cooler. Share a can with your hophead friend who claims nothing surprises them anymore. They’ll raise an eyebrow. Maybe even smile.
Other FAQs
Q – I liked “original” Hopslam! Is it gone forever?
A – Not at all! OG Hopslam will be back this upcoming January. (Longstanding fans will recall that we used to release Hopslam in January every year.) We’re excited to return OG Hopslam to its place of honor as a limited January release, starting in 2026!)
Q – Where is that fresh tropical taste coming from?
A – Those tropical notes are all from hops! At Bell’s we don’t shy away from occasionally experimenting with funky ingredients (Eccentric Ale anyone?), but for this extension to the Hopslam brand we kicked it old-school with just the Big Four: water, grain, yeast, and hops.
Q – Is there honey in this one?
A – We played around with many iterations of this recipe before we landed on the right one. In the end, those rich honey flavors from the original Hopslam recipe didn’t allow for tropical flavors and aromas to really pop so we decided to leave it out of the final Tropical Hopslam recipe.
Tropical Hopslam is the kind of beer that doesn’t need a whole lot of fanfare. It just shows up, turns the volume up, and makes you wish the sun would hang around a little longer.
Drink it fresh. Drink it somewhere fun. And maybe play a little Jimmy Cliff in the background for good measure.
