Two Hearted Ale - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

thlayli87

New Jersey

3.46/5  rDev -19%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

A - Slightly hazy copper color with bright white 1 finger head. Decent lacing.

S - Very herbal aroma, some grainy malt

T - Herbal hops up front, peach and orange fruity notes mid-sip, and a bready finish. Warming alcohol. Malt profile reminds me of a Pilsner.

M - Light and fairly dry.

O - Not as clean and crisp as I like my IPAs. Still refreshing. Decent, but I probably wouldn't get this again as there are lots of better options out there IMO.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 12:03:14 | More by thlayli87

lovindahops

New York

4.49/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Unbelievably, in my five plus years of drinking craft beer I have never had a two hearted!

A- two hearted pours a darkened orange body with plenty of foam and a hazy glow. Very bold color amplifies the sticky white lacing that clings to the edges of the glass

S- a surging flower hop scent is coupled by a biscuity scent and balanced malt scent. Citrus, pine, and caramel scent are right there as well. It's a very appealing aromatic brew coming from an incredibly balanced scent profile

T- AWESOME! Perfect balance between piney citric hops and a clean biscuity malt backbone. Sweet hoppy fruit flavors are literally coated by the right amount of sweet malt that finishes with a bitter end. Some delicious grainy flavors linger at the end. Dare I say this is the one perfect description of a balanced ipa? Quite possibly

M- carbonation spot on with good flavor

O- hype for this beer is now understood. Two hearted is not a hops assault. It's a delicious balanced ipa that is not often achieved this deliciously. Pine, citrus, tropical fruit... Meet caramel, bready, sweet malt with a bitter finish. I will enjoy this leading up to the SU lacrosse game today! Come to NY Bell's!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 13:38:37 | More by lovindahops

Bjamin89

Florida

4.36/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

As I write I'm enjoying this beer. I poured it into a snifter glass. The color is a nice, kind of a golden orange color. Had a wonderful amount of carbonation. Smell is good but when compared to some other well known IPA's is relatively mild. Taste is very good to even superb. Highly recommend this for you to try. I will enjoy this many more times.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 20:27:36 | More by Bjamin89

ptwilson

South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not your mainstream everyday IPA.

Unusually light copper color for an IPA and a bit cloudy, head a bit thin

Pleasing floral aroma

On the lower end of hoppy for an IPA, light enough to taste some complexity in the hops, leads with a flavor more like a Marzen, but finishes like an IPA

Feel is typical for IPA

Overall a nice change of pace if you get bored with the standard IPA fare.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2013 22:55:14 | More by ptwilson

Durtdiggler

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured in Snifter style beer glass. Very clear, copper hue, 2 finger headed and a lot of lacing.

Amost a dull, earthy resinous hop with citrus back end. Nothing complex with the aroma but very pleasant. Picking up some sweetness with the caramel malt, which I could do without.

Well balanced with hops and malt. The hops dances on the tongue throughout the taste and lingers on the finish. Not too sweet or malty. Edge to hop bitterness here.

Mouthfeel is medium. Creamy. Goes down easy.

Excellent IPA, a standard. Re reviewed this one. There's others I like more but will definitely drink this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 22:53:31 | More by Durtdiggler

sjverla

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nose: Strong hoppiness. Excellent balance of pine and citrus. Plenty of grapefruit. Just a hint of biscuity yeastiness.

Appearance: Hazy honey-gold with about .25" of head that sticks around.

Taste: Semisweet malt starts strong - a little yeasty too. Floral and fruity. Semi-bitter finish is long. It starts juicy and full and finishes surprisingly dry with bitterness that builds.

Overall: This is an outstanding exercise in balance.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 22:03:50 | More by sjverla

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Two Hearted pours a clear copper color with a moderate sized head on top. The foam dissolves slowly leaving a fair amount of lace on the glass.

The aroma has lots of citrus hops, mainly lemon & grapefruit. Some caramel and toasted malt is also present.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is soft and watery with light carbonation. The flavor is well balanced. Sweet pale malt and a little tropical fruit blend nicely with orange and lemony citrus hops. Some floral (rose) flavors are also present. It finishes slightly tart and bitter with lingering lemon citrus when gone.

Overall this is a very tasty, well balanced, easy drinking beer. A good beer for any day of the year.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 19:08:39 | More by WanderingFool

ThomasAWilson2

Virginia

4.59/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

As a word of warning, I have not always been the biggest of IPA drinkers. Over the past year or so I have gravitated towards dark beers with a lager or two sprinkled in, but with my shift further north I have decided to expand my palate a bit and give the bitter side of the family a solid few months of effort. That being said, Bell's Two Hearted Ale may be my favorite IPA of my limited experience. Its very floral hop forward with a strong citrus backbone.

One thing that seems to be common practice is the introduction of bittering agents. This one is much less bitter than something with such a strong hop infused flavor. Huge carbonation which helps to usher in that freshness factor IPA drinkers cherish so much. Nice sunflower color, poured a half finger head. Floral and grapefruit aroma. A little tropical fruit in there, maybe some mango? Smells sticky sweet and acidic. Deceptively pungent in the flavor department, almost saison-esque with the amount of flavor this little number packs in. Nice alcoholic burn in the aftertaste, wait for a second after the swallow and it creeps in.

Did I mention I love this IPA? Seriously, between this and Ten Fidy there isn't much room in my favorite unhyped not-limited beers club. Didn't have to fight to buy some and the price is right on target.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 03:34:01 | More by ThomasAWilson2

kevanb

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Bells tulip.

The beer pours a very clear golden copper color, just a few bubbles rising up to the top of the glass, with a soft, cloudy white head, about 2 fingers high that has good retention and leaves behind a nice amount of spotted lace. The aroma is very pleasant, subtle piney hops, light grapefruit with touches of wildflower before pale grain and a touch of caramel malt sweetness eases out. The hops are more impactful on the tongue, lots of sweet tangerine, zesty grapefruit, smooth but bitter resinous pine, lightly floral with some smooth, sweet malt at the finish to help balance the bitter hops. The body is really nice, very smooth, almost juicy with a perfect level of lively carbonation and a lightly dry, lightly sweet finish.

Verdict: Two Hearted never fails to be an enjoyable IPA and is certainly one of the benchmarks for the style. Balanced, not overly complex yet certainly not simple, very smooth with a soft finish that doesn't push any boundaries and remains extremely quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 01:11:17 | More by kevanb

yottachem

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Sampled in tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours gold-honey in color with orange highlights with mousse-like, eggshell white head that persists for a few minutes. Head collapses after a few mins to a light ring around edge of glass. Pour is slightly hazy.

Aroma: Light malt sweetness; reminiscent of caramel. Hop aroma is spicy/herbal, but otherwise a little light. Upon warming, grassy and alcohol notes come forward.

Flavor: Caramel sweetness in a firm malt backbone. Not overly bitter at first, but as palate develops a nice crisp bitterness develops. This fades to a lingering bitter finish. Hop profile is much more bright at first sip, and evolves to a more "dark green" or piney/earthy hop flavor.

Mouthfeel: Light mouthfeel. Surprisingly light for a 7% ABV. Light carbonation allows malt to come through a bit more, but leaves a light slickness on the tongue from the residual bitterness.

Overall: Smooth drinker. Light carb is refreshing. Percived bitterness develops as bottle is consumed, but still seems a little light for a IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 02:30:38 | More by yottachem

barczar

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear copper with a frothy half inch cream head that slowly dissipates, leaving spotty lacing.

Resin, grapefruit, and bready caramel malt sweetness dominate the aroma initially. Hints of onion, fresh cut grass, and cattiness add complexity.

Flavor is, at first, somewhat sweet, with caramel malt serving as a nice backdrop for muted grapefruit and strong resin. The finish is moderately bitter. Notes of pine emerge as it warms, and the citrus character strengthens.

Body is moderately full and slightly creamy, with moderate carbonation, slight astringency, and notable alcohol warmth.

Certainly not the most complex hop character, but a good amount of malt to stand up to the hops without overwhelming, and not overly bitter.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:37:01 | More by barczar

Roman5150

Michigan

4.95/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

May be a little biased, went to school in Kalamazoo, MI for 4 years, drinking this on draft was a regular every weekend thing for me; As were six packs as fresh as you could possibly get them. Regardless, I am reviewing this currently living in Tennessee, drove to Kentucky to purchase this, 3 months old. Oh yea, out of a bottle too. But guess what, it tastes the same regardless of what you dirnk this out of. Draft, bottle, glass, this is a world class beer. I'm sure it wold taste amazing out of a can as well.

Not usually a fan of IPAs, I have been savoring this beer since before I even knew what an IPA was. My first experience was in probably 9th grade, when you don't really have a taste for what a "beer" should taste like. My friend took one from his dad's sixpack in the garage, cold as hell, and I remember saying the exact words "holy shit".

It looks like an IPA should, somewhat cloudy with an orange-ish appearance. Not much of a head, although I usually get much more when I have it on draft.

Smells very piney, citrusy, sort of a hint of a west coast IPA with that sort of clove.citrus aspect of a hefeweizen, a pretty uniqie smell for an IPA.

Tastes like no other beer out there. By far the most balanced IPA i've had. I've given this to my parents, who don't drink craft beer, and don't like those "heavy ipa's".... They said "wow, i'm gonna have to start buying this". And ever since then, i've often had to refrain from draining the Two-Hearted stash in my parents fridge whenever I'm home to Michigan to visit. So smooth, and easy drinking, for a 7% abv it tastes like 5.5-6, it just goes down smooth. The centennial hops in this beer really show through. I prefer this to Founders Centennial IPA, in contrast to a lot of my friends, as I find it a tad too malty.

Overall: This one is just perfect, everything is so well constructed that words can't really describe the craftmanship of this beer. Larry Bell did an amazing job with this one and that's why it's Bell's flagship beer. If I were to reccomend one beer from my home state to the rest of the world, this would be it (followed closely by Bells Hopslam).

Being an avid fisherman, I usually pair this with Salmon or Steelhead, and it blows me away how well they work together. I'm not sure if the fish on the bottle, or the reference to the U.P river had a subconscious bias on me, but this is my go to beer for any for of meat or fish dinner (Dogfishhead 90 min IPA also pairs very well with Salmon). Cheeses that go well with this are basically any strong cheese, Limburger if you're man enough, and i've found that any dutch Gouda cheese pairs rather well.

A cool little story: A few years ago a few buddies of mine were backpacking Isle Royale (Island in Lake Superior, Northern Michigan) and we met 2 guys from Germany who came to canoe the island. The only store on the island, which included a mini restaraunt, just happened to stock only bells beer, and a huge selection of it. We met them in a campground near the lodge and they had just bought a case of Oberon and 2 six packs of Two-Hearted. Their english wasn't very good, but they basically said that American beer is shit compared to Germany (and grudgingly Belgium), except that Two-Hearted and Oberon (probably due to Germans fondness for wheat beer) are both some of there favorite beers, ever. I thought that was pretty cool, Germans having mad respect for some local MIchigan Craft Brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 03:53:56 | More by Roman5150

audiobill

Ontario (Canada)

4.69/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Just finished enjoying a couple of bottles of this beauty!
A very well balanced, hoppy IPA,with a smooth finish. Really like the fact that the 7 % alc. is not noticeable whatsoever. Colour is a medium amber with a more yellow- orange tinge. Would gladly buy more & would recommend this one to IPA lovers.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 18:34:55 | More by audiobill

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.23/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Somehwat cloudy orange body with a slight amber hint. Head is slightly off-white and lingers around with a lot of lacing.

S- Lots of juicy citrus aromas mixed in with some intense pine. Slight malt sweetness in the nose as well, along with some herbal notes.

T- Lots of citrus with a slight amount of pine and malt in the back. Everything in great balance for a hop-forward IPA.

M- Medium-high on the carbonation with medium body. Very drinkable and minimal alcohol presence.

O- A great IPA. Along the lines of torpedo in terms of classic IPA flavors. Two Hearted might have a little more hop presence. This one will not let you down.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 01:15:01 | More by stephenjmoore

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

4.21/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Review taken from notes(mid March 2013)

12 oz brown bottle with a fantastic label of a fish what I'm calling a trout with a hook close by. Makes me instantly want warm spring weather. Great label! Poured this into a nonic style pint glass.

A - Amberish orange to amberish golden. Very beautiful color. Head sits with a frothy style and subdues to a nice splotchy ring of lace providing pretty good stick.

S - Floral aroma with Flashes of citrusy and resinous hop character. Good biscuity yeast whiffs in the background while the malt steadiness does it's part in balancing the aroma.

T - A shot of oranges. Somewhat sweet and juicy with the citrus character very much present. Floral and Citrusy hops collide with a wall of biscuit malt and a slap of fantastic yeast flavors conspire before the bitterness has even a chance to hit full force. The balance is deservingly bragged upon. Finish is neat and balanced with a creamy finish.

M - balance is everything in this IPA. Medium-full bodied but thick and smooth. Creative and complex, but balanced on scales most people wouldn't dream of knowing to exsist. Its not the perfect mouthfeel, but damn is it working class and done right. A very easy drinking IPA.

O - west coast ipa's punch you in the mouth with a big hop profile and an ibu # through the roof. English styles give you a dose of malt and settle for less than what a hop head really needs. It seems to me some of these real good Midwestern/Great Lakes area breweries knock it out of the park when talking a sit down and drink, everyday IPA. This one is a prime example of what this specific region does better than anyone and it's a hallmark creation of what Bell's does best. Anyone looking for that go to IpA when say the next BIG seasonal hasnt quite hit the shelves then this is the one. Plus there is a freaking fish about to be slayed by some Midwesternman after a hard days work. No he's not shown, but you can imagine. This is one fish everyone needs to catch. It's good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 00:45:40 | More by BradtheGreat7

zrbeer1579

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Appearance: Transparent golden orange with a one finger creamy white head

Aroma: Floral, grapefruit, tangerine, and a slight pine.

Taste: Bitter pine and grapefruit; in a bad way. Some tangerine. A very faint sweetness and breadiness. Flavors seem a little watered down.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light. Crisp. Bitterness in the finish is a little too aggressive.

Overall: I was not too impressed with this IPA. It smells good but taste didn't do it for me. It may have something to do with the bottle being two months old. When I get a much fresher bottle, I'll edit my review. That is, if it's any better.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 18:40:06 | More by zrbeer1579

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

The beer pours a golden orange, with a finger width head made of small tightly packed bubbles. The beer leaves a lacing of tightly packed bubbles that form a sticky curtain on the sides of the glass. The beer’s body is a cloudy haze, and a steady stream of bubbles can be seen racing up the glass. On the nose, the beer smells pungently citrusy with nice spicy notes of pine. The malt base of the beer is light and bready with a touch of spice, but nearly nonexistent on the nose. Orange peel citrus is the big player in the nose, and is nicely inviting. On the tongue the beer tastes bitter with a touch of sweet acidity. In flavor, the beer tastes of bitter medicinal hops with touches of citrus orange peel. The finish is strong with caramel bready malts with touches of spice. The aftertaste lingers with bitter hops and light orange citrus. On the mouth, the beer feels medium in body with a light velvety carbonation. The mouth is left clean with a bitter dryness lingering on the tongue. Overall this is a solid IPA with some nice orange citrus hops. It is not the best I’ve had, but it is solid and tasty. If it’s in your area, you should try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 02:53:15 | More by Maxwell

screamking

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle poured into tapered pint glass.

This beer pours a hazy gold-yellow with a nice foamy white head. The lacing on this thing is great. The aroma on this beer is very citrusy with great big notes of apricot and lemon. I'm also getting a honey sweetness in there. One of the better smelling single IPA's out there.

This beer is super sweet right up front, then bitter on its way down. The citrus is really the focal point in the taste. Very refreshing. This is a beer that is good all year long. If its hot, cold, or somewhere in between I could always go for one of these. It is medium in bodied but still light enough to have a couple or more. Price point is reasonable, right at or a little above ten dollars. For a beer that I can pick up at any grocery store it is hard to beat.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 23:44:53 | More by screamking

Bones10

Illinois

4.79/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This is the best IPA I have tasted to date. It is everything I want in this style of brew. It has balance, hops and subtle malts working together to form a hoppy sweet taste without overwhelming your senses. It hides the 7%abv well with great flavors. I have a new friend today. I am very happy with this purchase.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:52:29 | More by Bones10

pmorey

Indiana

2.65/5  rDev -37.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Bottle pour into an imperial pint glass, date stamp of 2/11/13.

Very nice amber orange color with a decent creamy-looking head that dissipates quickly and leaves little lacing.

Nose is very, very promising. Floral/fruity with a bit of pine. Good initial mouth-feel, carbonation is just right. But then...

I am really puzzled by this tasting. With all the stellar reviews and past experience with Oberon, I was very much looking forward to this. Frankly, it makes me think of drinking Christmas tree water. Very bitey hops and bitterness with no other noticeable flavors.

I tried a second and that was all I can do. I will look to give away the rest of the six and then make a doctors appointment to make sure I don't have a terminal illness or something that is affecting my taste buds.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 01:21:41 | More by pmorey

stumac

Texas

3.66/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours up clear honey golden color. Nice white head with decent lacing. Nose is honey, pale malts, citrus hops. Taste is the same, not very bitter. I coulda sworn this beer was a little tastier back in the day. Still good sessional brew tho. Medium body and med carbo

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 03:43:16 | More by stumac

Daktah

North Carolina

4.51/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Can't really offer anything new on this beer, but it deserves more than a simple 'had'. Clear, bright orange, slightly off white head and great lacing. Smell and taste both full of citrus and tropical fruit. Not overly fruity or sweet, but the tropical fruit aspect of this beer is amazing. Medium body with a creaminess that makes it very easy to drink.

Overall a fantastic beer, and the fact that it's so widely available makes it even better.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2013 13:48:59 | More by Daktah

Dools9

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into a shaker pint, dated 1/22/13. Thanks to kangarooAdam59 for the beer, really appreciate it dood.

A: Honey, orange gold. The head was egg shell colored and about two fingers, really solid retention and nice lace rings left on the glass.

S: Immediately reminded me of Racer 5. Grapefruit pith, orange, apricots, sweeter tropical fruits, a bit floral, honey, sweet caramel malt.

T: Again, similar to Racer 5. Grapefruit pith, orange rind, tangerines, apricots, sweeter hop fruits, lot of peach, touch of malt sweetness, very well balanced and very easily drinkable given the modest 7% abv. Finished relatively dry, but not bone dry like some IPA's.

M: Light end of medium but very smooth, soft and a touch creamy. Started off crsip and as I drank, it got smoother.

O: Really been jonsin' to try this here brew. I was going in with pretty high expectations and I am very pleased. I wish we got Bell's here in MA. Mid-West IPA at its finest.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:38:43 | More by Dools9

boatmich

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

im not going to do a wordy review ive been a member of beerpal for 8yrs.
a Beer advocate review always pops up when i'm researching a beer, so i joined
i dint know when i had my first Two Hearted 10 maby 12 years ago, its my favorite beer
and i judge all others by it

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 19:37:30 | More by boatmich

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

3.78/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The bottling date, “02/06/13,” is printed on the back label.

Appearance: Straight pour into a pint glass. The color is gold that is leaning amber. A finger and a half of off-white head left a skim of foam, a ring around the edge, and trails of foam along the side.

Smell: Pretty tame, especially since “intense hop aroma” is used on the beer’s webpage. The grapefruit and pine resin are present and pretty sharp, but they are not overpowering and intense; I need to put my nose right up to the glass to sense them. Other aromas are pale malts, bready wheat, floral hops, and a little toffee.

Taste: This one is hard to pin down. The bitterness is unmistakable and dominant; the floral hops really excite the taste buds. A blend of floral hops, grapefruit, pine resin, and pale malts is noticeable, but not enough to provide balance. Hints of alcohol emerge, but they are fleeting.

Drinkability: “Enormous” and “intense” are not the right words for this beer. It offers a nice, gritty bitterness, but the flavor and aroma are not as pronounced as I thought they would be.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 05:13:51 | More by TheQuietMan22