Diary: Hopslam and Hoptimus, sans "versus".

Just the other night, I had the unexpected opportunity to sample Bell’s Hopslam Ale and NABC Hoptimus side by side. I know too much for it to have been a blind taste test, but it didn’t need to be, seeing as Hopslam and Hoptimus are so very different from each other even if both are lumped into the “Imperial” IPA category.

Hopslam is released once a year by Bell’s, a brewery in Michigan. Hoptimus is available year-round from NABC, a brewery in Indiana (my brewery, of course).

Hopslam uses different hops (six varietals and Simcoe) than Hoptimus (Cascade). Hoptimus is deceptively drier, and Hopslam is malty sweet.

They both cost a lot to make, and neither is cheap on a store shelf.

My verdict? They’re both good, but markedly different.

Do you like basketball or rugby? Maybe both, depending on the mood, although beer and sports aren’t the same animal. Sports possess an objective system of measurement called “keeping score.” Beer has a wonderful tendency to lapse into flights of the subjective, fueling stories and irreconcilable bragging rights, which is why beer is good while viewing sports.

Hopslam and Hoptimus. Enjoy one, the other, or both.

Bell's HopSlam, but not in our house until later in February.

This is the time of year when Bell's HopSlam is released. Accordingly, there is a social media stampede: The first place to tap it, where bottles remain for sale, and the like.

I'll not be churlish by suggesting that dozens of other Imperial IPAs released during the course of a calendar year bear a similarity to HopSlam, because it is quite good, and I appreciate both it and Bell's in general. As in the past few years, we'll wait to tap our Pizzeria & Public House draft allotment of HopSlam until Gravity Head (February 24) begins, and then sell through whatever kegs we get until it's all gone.

Enjoy some now, and then enjoy some more later.

Special election tonight: NABC Hoptimus vs. Bell's HopSlam.

It's time for the special election: Vote early and often as two heavyweights, NABC Hoptimus and Bell's HopSlam go toe to toe tonight at the Pizzeria & Public House. It's simple. Try each, and vote for your favorite. Your ballot also is an entry form, and at the end of the evening, we'll draw for a $20 NABC gift card.

This year, we have only two HopSlam kegs in stock: One for tapping tonight, and one at Gravity Head 2010. How long will this one last? It's a tough call, but I'd guess perhaps three days, although it's possible that emptying comes sooner.

Note: No growlers of HopSlam! Sorry, but it's only fair. Hoptimus, on the other hand ...

Cask-conditioned Bell's HopSlam on the handpull tomorrow (Thursday, February 12).

Tish, our World Class rep, said she caught a break, and as a result we were able to obtain a firkin of cask-conditioned Bell's HopSlam.

I've learned not to ask questions, just sign the check, look the other way, and have an alibi ready and waiting.

NABC's beer manager Mike says there's no room for storage (we already have three regular kegs of HopSlam for Gravity Head, not to mention dozens of others in the queue), and so the firkin will be tapped tomorrow, Thursday the 12th.

That's the right call, because in dispensing it now, Mike knows you will be able to have some, and there won't be an opportunity for me to spirit the firkin to the next Gang of Seven/Bank Street organizational "meeting."

Damn.

I recommend not waiting until Friday.

New hours at Maido Essential Japanese ... and why you should care.

As is often noted in this space, Maido Essential Japanese is one of my favorite Louisville eateries, both in terms of food and beverage. It is one of the few Asian places you'll ever see that has a beer list that evinces design, and one that generally features both hop-laden American craft beers alongside expressive Belgians.

Following is a communique from owner Jim Huie. Read all the way to the end to see what Jim's hoarding.

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Due to the recent huge increase in the price of rice and some other goods, we will no longer be open for lunch (not worth it to do the buffet).

We will, however start opening at 4:00 p.m. today (Monday, May 19th). We will have happy hour from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Closing times will not change and we will still be open at 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Also, we will be coming out with a new menu today, and there will be some new items available. For all you Hopheads, we still have plenty of Bell's HopSlam available in bottle form, and will be tapping a keg sometime later this year.