Two Hearted Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

fdig23

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the bottle.

Appearance: a ruddy copper color with an off-white head.

Nose: Very floral, with honeysuckle and some funky dogwood flowers. Pineapple and orange are their as well. Everything is cloaked in sweetness.

Taste: Like a mouthful of pungent flowers followed by grilled pineapples, bitter green tea, honey, and toast.

Mouthfeel: Nice and balanced but could be a bit fuller.

Overall: A classic IPA that is really unlike anything else. Even other all-Centennial brews don't have this much floral to them.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:41:42 | More by fdig23

Dave_in_GR

Michigan

4.64/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a yellowish-orange with minimal head.

Smell is citrus, but is very mild. Definitely not an overwhelming blast of hops.

Tastes just like it smells, mostly citrus but the flavors are much more subtle than in many IPAs. Not even a hint of the 7% alcohol, and very refreshing.

Mouthfeel is remarkably smooth for an IPA, not nearly as bitter as you might expect - a small amount of carbonation accents the medium body nicely, and without any lingering astringency.

Overall, this is one of the standout IPAs from west Michigan. To me, it seems a bit more similar to east coast IPAs like Dogfish Head's 60 and 90 minute varieties, and is a nice change from the over-the-top hop-bombs that are so common with this style. Smooth mouthfeel and subtle flavors make this an excellent IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 23:55:07 | More by Dave_in_GR

CMUbeerenthusiast

Michigan

5/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bell's Two hearted Ale is one of the most delicious beer's I have ever tasted in my young life. It has a citrus flavor overtone that comes through, however it is not too strong and nicely balanced. The has no bitterness to it and it goes down real smooth. Another plus if you're a hop head like myself is that the beer is pretty darn hoppy.

In conclusion Two Hearted Ale definitely warrants a 5 rating, and if you see this beer at your local beer/party store pick this up!!

Btw Bell's I just want to give a big shout out to you guys and whatever you're doing keep it up! And please make similar beers just like Two Hearted Ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 03:56:32 | More by CMUbeerenthusiast

capnamerica

Arkansas

4.38/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bell's Two Hearted Ale

A: Beautiful dark straw/golden color. Medium white head with good lacing. Moderately cloudy.

S: Floral with lots of hops. Slight detection of pine.

T&M: Medium body. Strong hop flavor with a nice malt balance. Finishes pretty dry.

O: Very nice. Probably my favorite IPA thus far.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 00:03:57 | More by capnamerica

eends33

4.74/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Had this on draft when i was visiting my family out of state and i was blown away this is a very well balanced ipa one of the best ipa's ive had to date i reccomend everyone trying it if you can get a hold of it...they dont sell it around my area but my goal is to get my hands on hopslam...i was very impressed with the two hearted ale !

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2013 15:59:25 | More by eends33

dougbassett

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the "1001 Beers You Should Try Before You Die" -- #17 of the ones I've reviewed here.

This is a wonderful beer. Pours out a very cloudy brassy yellow, with a very thin head on top that still stubbornly persists. Nose is an exceptionally pure grapefruit, paired maybe with a bit of creamy lemon, like maybe the filling of a very good lemon tart or something.

Very creamy lemon flavors, with maybe a little grapefruit riding on top of that. I would've preferred a bit more assertiveness here but that's just me. A nice, crisp, hoppy finish to the whole thing with a bit of grapefruit peel at the end here, too, but mind, nothing sharp here either. Like this through and through is an exercise in smoothness and body, more than anything else. I gave the mouthfeel the highest score here because that's where I think the focus was on. There's real body and heft here and it compliments the flavor profile wonderfully.

A remarkable beer, a way to show how to make an assertive American IPA without bombarding you with hops.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 23:27:51 | More by dougbassett

Groomsy

Kentucky

4.44/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle poured into a nonic. Bottled on 12/18/12.

A thin, eggshell head sits on top of a clear, honey-orange body on the classic American IPA. I left the yeast out, so there isn't a lot of haze in this beer. Occasional carbonation bubbles go to the top of this beer, which leaves sheets and rings of lacing down the glass.

The nose contains many of the citrus characteristics central to the American IPA (grapefruit, namely), but the bitterness takes a backseat to tropical fruit sweetness and subtle floral scents. I especially thought of mango, oranges and pineapple with some candied grapefruit. There's just enough bready/biscuity malt to back up all of the hops. While not a "typical" American IPA, and a little mild on the nose, this has a great aroma.

There's a big, juicy bitterness on the front of the tongue - this is where the grapefruit/citrus character really comes full force. The malt comes in on the middle of the palate to cut the bitterness before being washed away by a drying, piney and fruity presence of hops on the finish. The flavors don't linger too long, and this beer has supreme refreshment factor. A beautifully balanced and harmonious IPA. It doesn't have the "punch" factor like most, but it is a great beer with nuance and subtlety.

The mouthfeel of this beer, thanks to bottle conditioning, is fantastic. It slides across the tongue with a silky smoothness and has no harshness. Fruity flavors linger long into the finish without overstaying their welcome. Softly carbonated, medium bodied, and refreshing, with a slightly dry finish.

While not a bitter or brash IPA as many would expect, this is a classic. Its sweetness puts it in a league of its own, I think. Absolutely worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 03:16:57 | More by Groomsy

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Modest head, but it leaves a near blanket of lace on the glass. The liquid is cloudy with an orange hued dirty copper color.

Very mild smell for the style. Pale grain nose is stronger than the floral hop. Well balanced but meek.

The hop is fresh tasting, providing a black pepper finish. Starts with a clean "round" pale malted barley flavor. Only a touch of sweetness. Full bodied and a below average level of carbonation. Good counterpoint to hot wings.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 17:48:26 | More by smcolw

Dillpatrick

4.28/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The Bell's brewery has been slightly disappointing in the past, but the Two Hearted Ale keeps the heartbeat of the brewery alive.

A- Light orange color, slightly transparent with a thin, white foam head
S- Strong Hoppy smell, with slight fruit accent and an undertone of malt
T- Strong initial hop taste, mixed with a fruity and bitter aftertaste
M- Slight carbonation, very smooth, not too overpowering

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. Its hoppy nature and drinkability make it a pleasant escape from the simplicity of other beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 05:01:27 | More by Dillpatrick

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

3.95/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a pilsner glass. $14.00 a six pack.

A: pours a dark orange with 1-1/2 fingers worth of white head. Some good lacing.

S- citrus and floral hops. A little pine and some grains. Best part of the beer.

T: Bitter pine hops, some citrus, little malts

M: Medium bodied, low carbonation, hoppy aftertaste. Goes done nice.

O: I was expecting a bit more from Bell’s since the reviews are through the roof on this. The smell is off the hook but the taste is average. Might get again if no other IPA on shelf is better, but doubt it.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 00:23:16 | More by Damian74Shensky

Bernardkowalski

5/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Absolutely one of my favorite beers!! honestly can go good with anything, but you are better off enjoying this beer by itself. it has so much too offer, such great combination between the yeast and malt's making this an outstanding brew. you can put this on my list of top beers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2013 23:12:19 | More by Bernardkowalski

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip. Acquired in a trade from RayUF07, thanks bud.

A- Pours a clear honey body with a 2" white head that reduces quickly to a white ring and leaves little lacing.

S- Caramel malt, honey, citrus rind, pine, kind of spicy like a rye.

T- Sugar cookies, honey, lemon zest upfront. Peppery, spicy hops on the finish. Aftertaste is bittersweet. Raw

M- Medium-low carbonation, medium body.

A decent IPA, nothing special in my opinion though. Nonetheless, an easy drinker with good balance. Sweet for an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 00:13:42 | More by gcamparone

Kerrie

Michigan

3.08/5  rDev -28%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

I really wanted to like this since I've been enjoying more IPAs lately, but I'm not getting into it.

A- Looks pretty average to me, like a cloudy orange color. Almost no head or lacing.

S- Not smelling much here, unfortunately. There was a hop smell when I opened the bottle, but little remains after a few sips.

T- Again, average. It's not overwhelmingly hoppy, but I can't pick out any other flavors, either. Basically a faint hop taste and that's all I'm getting.

M- The mouthfeel is fine, not too thick or thin, but that shouldn't be the highest rated thing in a beer.

Overall, I great preferred the DFH 60 Minute IPA I had yesterday. There's a big difference between the two and that one wins out in every category. That I'd buy again, this I won't.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 00:22:19 | More by Kerrie

JClarson

4.25/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pretty white head on the pour. Pale orange in color.

S- Citrus orgasm on the nose.

T- Pretty mellow when it hits the palate with a balanced malt to hop ratio.

M- Clean on the finish, very drinkable.

O- This is a great beer. I could imagine serving this at a bar-b-que or a party. It seems to appeal to a lot of people and its not too overwhelming of an IPA. My wife also enjoys this one. For such a drinkable beer the 7% ABV is surprising and can sneak up on you!

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 21:59:28 | More by JClarson

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.39/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This best part of this beer is its balance, followed closely by the flavors.

Grapefruit, citrus, some bubblegum, earthy spice and a solid malt backbone show why this beer is highly rated. A bit resinous for me, and for a single IPA, but I won't dock it too many points for that just b/c maybe it really is a dIPA.

With all that said, one glass is about all I can muster here. It ain't sessionable or quaffable, but it's darn fine. I'd almost like to have it with some spicy Indian food just to see how the sweetness holds up

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 22:53:54 | More by Mebuzzard

SiriusBock

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Light amber color, pure white head, about two fingers. Very clear
S: Smells like a subtle citrus bomb, if that makes any sense, first hit with citrus, left with earthy hops
T: Great citrus taste, fair malt taste, to be followed up by a clean bitterness
M: Acually tasted thin...which is too bad considering this is a supposed legend if IPAs. Don't get me wrong, it was quite tasty, but it left me thinking there was a bit of water in the glass before pouring. I need to try it against other IPAs side-by-side. Left my palate clean without overstaying its welcome.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 20:07:29 | More by SiriusBock

gotweid

Michigan

4.29/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a weizen glass a clear, light golden yellow in color beer, nice 2 finger, foamy head with long retention, nice lacing all down the glass as I drank and solid carbonation that lingers. Aroma is dominant hops, like when I open a package to add to my homebrews. Taste is a nice blend and balance of hops & citrus without either being over dominant. Smooth & silky mouthfeel makes it so easy to drink. Excellent beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 00:36:03 | More by gotweid

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- yellowish, orange body with a 1/2" cap of white foam that hangs out. Carbonation is moderately active, and a few yeasty floatys are hanging around.

S- Pungent citrus hops. Just what you look for in an IPA. It's a little earthy, a little herbal, and just faintly spicy. a malt sweetness lingers behind the hops, but it's there if you look for it.

T- The hops come up first, almost lighting your mouth on fire at first, but then give way to the malt sweetness. It's balanced, then leaning hop forward with citrus, earth, and spicy notes. It's refreshing though. It quenches your thirst and let's the wonderful combination of hops linger for a pleasant aftertaste. It's semi-dry.

M- It's easy, medium bodied, medium carbonation, and not too dry. Very pleasant drinker overall.

O- Great beer. This could be my favorite IPA. It's aggressive and hoppy, yet drinkable and balanced. This is what an American IPA should be, given the stylistic description and my personal opinion. I should keep a case of this around just to keep my taste buds used to it. Great for those days when work sucked and you need a beer to punch you in the face, yet keeps you coming back for more.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 03:06:28 | More by scot_chale

jrzellerman

Missouri

4/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A solid ale. Not to hoppy but enough for those who want a bitter and tangy taste. A great ale for the price. A six pack will usually run you around $9 or $10 bucks. In addition, to the quality for the price, it holds a solid ABV. Great drinkability and good w/ most things off the grill.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 15:31:02 | More by jrzellerman

Wildcatz69

Kentucky

4.4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle packaged 9/18/12
The appearance held up to light is a light orange color.
Smells like delicious hops and fruit.
The taste is what brings me back again and again, along with the lingering mouthfeel of bitterness paired with a good meal.
Overall the beer is dank, and sessionable with good company or by yourself.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 04:28:13 | More by Wildcatz69

nickapalooza86

Wisconsin

4.96/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

pours a deep orange color with a decent hop haze.

Smell is very floral, Citrus and pine are all over the place, a bready malt in there to.

Taste is orange, lemon, pine, sweet malt and a bit of bittering grapefruit.

Mouthfeel is medium as is carbonation.

Well this is one of those beers that I have had so many times that there is always at least a 6 in the fridge.

If you want a beer that showcases hop flavor over hop bitterness then go out and get this. One of the better IPAs out there that is for sure!

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 21:32:45 | More by nickapalooza86

Sheils

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I know this isn't the best beer out there, by far, but I am just now really getting into craft brews and this is the best I have had so far. This is my favorite beer and it is 5/5 for everything until I can start trying more, which I fully intend to do - until then, this is the bar.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2013 16:34:57 | More by Sheils

mschind

California

4.21/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Poured from a 12 oz bottle dated 8-17-12. Rich medium amber, clear except the second pour when some of the dregs cloud things up. Foamy head, short retention and some lacing.

S- Floral hops and bread like malt. Very different from a West Coast IPA. Also some fruit and funk in the background.

T- Moderate hop bitterness followed by an herbal sweetness and then malt in quick succession.

M- Moderate carbonation lends a nice fullness. For an 8% ABV beer, the alcohol is well balanced and difuse.

O- This one lives up to the reputation. Very hoppy but with an entirely different profile from the IPA's I live with in CA. Different is good!

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 00:13:52 | More by mschind

Efay

Illinois

3.71/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A craft staple in the Midwest. Had it before, but never fully reviewed it.

A- A transparent, dark amber beer. No head retention and no lacing.

S- Abundant amount of honey and floral notes, I can barely smell any pine.

T- Doesn't taste like how it smells. Has a piney hop taste with some tangerine, and ends with a mix of light malt and those bitter hops.

M- Very light but high amounts of carbonation.

O- A decent beer, but I feel that I can find better beers that are in the same category as this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2013 14:51:11 | More by Efay

acsprouse

South Carolina

5/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Beautiful pour with little head due to.such.a soft pour. Good retention. Amazing color. Standard ipa look, slighty cloudy. smells very floral, and citrus. The hops are there strongly in the nose. The mouthfeel is nice. Very drinkable. Not thick yet not thin. Its slick. The hops are there in the taste. Bitter with nice subtle malt undertones that balance perfect. This is a great brew! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 08:19:17 | More by acsprouse