KALAMAZOO, MI --

, one of

's biggest and highest rated beers, will be released on Friday, Jan. 4.

The double India Pale Ale is a winter seasonal with an alcohol-by-volume of 10 percent. It is one of the most anticipated releases from Bell's every year.

, it ranked No. 6.

It will be tapped at the Bell's Eccentric Cafe, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., starting at 11 a.m.

Hopslam will also be sold at the General Store.

It will be available in bottles and on draft. Bell's will not be selling it in five-litre mini-keg form this year.

to locations around Michigan, Indiana and Ohio next week. Other markets will start receiving the beer the following two weeks.

Bellsbeer.com describes Hopslam as: "Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell's Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell's repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style."

For more details on Hopslam, go to the Bell's blog page.



John Liberty can be reached at 269-370-7372 or jlibert1@mlive.com. Follow me on Twitter @JohnTLiberty