Two Hearted Ale | Bell's Brewery, Inc.
Brewed by:
Bell's Brewery, Inc.
Michigan, United States | website
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
An India Pale Ale style well suited for adventurous trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and an incredibly floral aroma.
Added by Todd on 12-11-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 3,461 | Ratings: 13,886
3.5/5 rDev -17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
looks....pours clouds of gold..little head...nice lace..nicely carbonated.
smell...flowery beds of grapefruit...and this is a very hoppynen brew.
taste...IPA all the way....I am not big on IPA but felt a little adventurous today.
feel...smooth yet crisp...nice brew.
overall...a good IPA.
overall ... a good IPA
★ 311 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
looks....pours clouds of gold..little head...nice lace..nicely carbonated.
smell...flowery beds of grapefruit...and this is a very hoppynen brew.
taste...IPA all the way....I am not big on IPA but felt a little adventurous today.
feel...smooth yet crisp...nice brew.
overall...a good IPA.
overall ... a good IPA
★ 311 characters
4.1/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance is clear light gold with good cap and lacing.
Aroma is equally malt and hops which is a harbinger of things to come. Malt is rich and the spicy, conifer hops are in sharp focus.
Taste is hop forward on entry announcing they're there without overshadowing the malt which appears mid palate to balance the hops then both march abreast to the finish which is clean with a lingering hop bitter/sharp note which quickly fades. A subtle dry finish that invites another taste.
Medium texture with a roundness that's appealing.
Overall it's easy to see why this one is so well spoken of. Malt and hops achieve a ringing balance that belie the overall complexity one gets after studying the beer a bit. Yes, I know it's ale but I call them all beer. This is an enthusiast's brew with crossover appeal. It is a bit hoppy for those not accustomed to craft beers but it's a controlled blast strong enough to get the job done without damaging surrounding structures. It's just got that whack to it that makes you realize you are drinking a well designed, well crafted, set apart brew that emphasizes what's special about craft beer generally.
★ 1,151 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance is clear light gold with good cap and lacing.
Aroma is equally malt and hops which is a harbinger of things to come. Malt is rich and the spicy, conifer hops are in sharp focus.
Taste is hop forward on entry announcing they're there without overshadowing the malt which appears mid palate to balance the hops then both march abreast to the finish which is clean with a lingering hop bitter/sharp note which quickly fades. A subtle dry finish that invites another taste.
Medium texture with a roundness that's appealing.
Overall it's easy to see why this one is so well spoken of. Malt and hops achieve a ringing balance that belie the overall complexity one gets after studying the beer a bit. Yes, I know it's ale but I call them all beer. This is an enthusiast's brew with crossover appeal. It is a bit hoppy for those not accustomed to craft beers but it's a controlled blast strong enough to get the job done without damaging surrounding structures. It's just got that whack to it that makes you realize you are drinking a well designed, well crafted, set apart brew that emphasizes what's special about craft beer generally.
★ 1,151 characters
4.17/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: pours dark copper with a finger of white head
S: all hops; citrus and floral notes
T: a lot of citrus notes, some floral in the middle and finishes semi sweet.
F: smooth, easy drinking
O: a good shelf ipa
★ 207 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: pours dark copper with a finger of white head
S: all hops; citrus and floral notes
T: a lot of citrus notes, some floral in the middle and finishes semi sweet.
F: smooth, easy drinking
O: a good shelf ipa
★ 207 characters
4.29/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Perfect summer beer. Bitterness is very well balanced and leaves a nice clean finish. Crisp and refreshing it would be easy to knock a bunch of these back. Floral nose, golden color, good head retention, all the hallmarks of a great medium of the road IPA.
★ 259 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Perfect summer beer. Bitterness is very well balanced and leaves a nice clean finish. Crisp and refreshing it would be easy to knock a bunch of these back. Floral nose, golden color, good head retention, all the hallmarks of a great medium of the road IPA.
★ 259 characters
4.17/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pleasant apricot color, floral hop nose, tremendous head retention, citrusy hop flavor that doesn't linger bitterly on the tongue like so many IPAs tend to. Clean finish, just a bit dry. One of the better examples of the style, glad I grabbed a 12 on the road coming back through Indiana. Would be a top-notch festival/camping beer where cans are required.
★ 356 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pleasant apricot color, floral hop nose, tremendous head retention, citrusy hop flavor that doesn't linger bitterly on the tongue like so many IPAs tend to. Clean finish, just a bit dry. One of the better examples of the style, glad I grabbed a 12 on the road coming back through Indiana. Would be a top-notch festival/camping beer where cans are required.
★ 356 characters
4.29/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Incredibly crisp and citrusy. Pours a foggy golden color. Citrus undertones mix well with serious hoppy bitter taste. My go-to IPA: perfect for any occasion if you ask me.
★ 171 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Incredibly crisp and citrusy. Pours a foggy golden color. Citrus undertones mix well with serious hoppy bitter taste. My go-to IPA: perfect for any occasion if you ask me.
★ 171 characters
4/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy gold. Thick, tight head.
Grapefruit and other citrus aromas.
Mild sweetness followed by a hoppy bitterness. Malt biscuit in the background.
Soft feel. Decent balance, Very drinkable.
★ 187 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy gold. Thick, tight head.
Grapefruit and other citrus aromas.
Mild sweetness followed by a hoppy bitterness. Malt biscuit in the background.
Soft feel. Decent balance, Very drinkable.
★ 187 characters
3.86/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
L: Small lacing head. Murky orange/amber color.
S: Floral and hoppy. Maybe some orange.
T&F: Initial citrusy flavors, followed by some bitter dryness in the finish. Not overly flowery like many IPAs I have tried.
O: Very sessionable beer. Well balanced flavors and does not kick you in the teeth with too much flower taste like some IPAs I have tried.
★ 354 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
L: Small lacing head. Murky orange/amber color.
S: Floral and hoppy. Maybe some orange.
T&F: Initial citrusy flavors, followed by some bitter dryness in the finish. Not overly flowery like many IPAs I have tried.
O: Very sessionable beer. Well balanced flavors and does not kick you in the teeth with too much flower taste like some IPAs I have tried.
★ 354 characters
3.94/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle into tulip
Bottled on 6/28/16 about 7 weeks old
L- hazy honey colored, with a quickly dissipating thin rocky white cap
S- citrus, tropical, pine
T- sweet caramel along with some rather strong alcohol notes(fusel?), followed by grapefruitand some tropical fruit as well, with a bitter piney finish
F- medium bodied, heavily carbonated, big alcoholic bite
O- solid IPA, could use a little less of the alcohol notes in my opion
★ 436 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle into tulip
Bottled on 6/28/16 about 7 weeks old
L- hazy honey colored, with a quickly dissipating thin rocky white cap
S- citrus, tropical, pine
T- sweet caramel along with some rather strong alcohol notes(fusel?), followed by grapefruitand some tropical fruit as well, with a bitter piney finish
F- medium bodied, heavily carbonated, big alcoholic bite
O- solid IPA, could use a little less of the alcohol notes in my opion
★ 436 characters
4.28/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Look-It pours a slightly hazy classic unfiltered honey sort of an orange with gilded edges and an underlying golden glow.
Smell-The smell is apricot dominant, no doubt from the myrcene hops. There are also aromas of mango which is followed by a very biscuit malt backbone.
Taste-The taste follows the nose, but I get the malts first which transform from biscuit into a caramel malt explosion. Then after a mild delay I get a splash of hop oils and slight bitterness to balance out everything. The whole experience is bursting with juicy fruits which are focused on tropical or citrus varieties. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and finishes with a lingering alpha acid coating on the tongue.
Overall-This is a great beer. Definitely is worth pouring into a nice glass.
★ 770 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Look-It pours a slightly hazy classic unfiltered honey sort of an orange with gilded edges and an underlying golden glow.
Smell-The smell is apricot dominant, no doubt from the myrcene hops. There are also aromas of mango which is followed by a very biscuit malt backbone.
Taste-The taste follows the nose, but I get the malts first which transform from biscuit into a caramel malt explosion. Then after a mild delay I get a splash of hop oils and slight bitterness to balance out everything. The whole experience is bursting with juicy fruits which are focused on tropical or citrus varieties. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and finishes with a lingering alpha acid coating on the tongue.
Overall-This is a great beer. Definitely is worth pouring into a nice glass.
★ 770 characters
4.49/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
One of my favorites any time I'm back home in Chicago or in NYC, I'm in Boston so I'm pretty spoiled in terms of juicy IPAs. This one always hits the spot for how balanced it is and drinkable with that extra smooth flavors. Michigan is one of my favorite beer states, up there with Cali and Vermont in my book and this is a class of the state. Other than 3 Floyds this is my go two back in the midwest.
★ 403 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
One of my favorites any time I'm back home in Chicago or in NYC, I'm in Boston so I'm pretty spoiled in terms of juicy IPAs. This one always hits the spot for how balanced it is and drinkable with that extra smooth flavors. Michigan is one of my favorite beer states, up there with Cali and Vermont in my book and this is a class of the state. Other than 3 Floyds this is my go two back in the midwest.
★ 403 characters
4.68/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I first tried Bell's Two Hearted Ale when I lived in the Midwest, for the price it is a very solid midwestern IPA. It is actually very drinkable, not quite as hoppy as most IPAs, almost more like a Pale Ale. It almost feels like it's a balance between an east coast and west coast IPA actually.
★ 296 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I first tried Bell's Two Hearted Ale when I lived in the Midwest, for the price it is a very solid midwestern IPA. It is actually very drinkable, not quite as hoppy as most IPAs, almost more like a Pale Ale. It almost feels like it's a balance between an east coast and west coast IPA actually.
★ 296 characters
4.16/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This is my first review, so beer with me. This beer has a nice golden and cloudy look to it, which I like a lot. It also has a crisp and somewhat hoppy smell and taste. The aftertaste was a bit on the malty side for me, though. Overall, a good beer. I suspect Hemingway (Big Two-Hearted River) would approve.
★ 308 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This is my first review, so beer with me. This beer has a nice golden and cloudy look to it, which I like a lot. It also has a crisp and somewhat hoppy smell and taste. The aftertaste was a bit on the malty side for me, though. Overall, a good beer. I suspect Hemingway (Big Two-Hearted River) would approve.
★ 308 characters
4.34/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours yellow-orange, with a thin one-finger head. Hops aroma very present. Taste is pleasantly bitter, lingers. Feels thick and creamy. Not a powerhouse like some of the Vermont beers, but very pleasurable to drink.
★ 216 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours yellow-orange, with a thin one-finger head. Hops aroma very present. Taste is pleasantly bitter, lingers. Feels thick and creamy. Not a powerhouse like some of the Vermont beers, but very pleasurable to drink.
★ 216 characters
4.71/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
L: Very hazy amber color, two finger white head, ok lacing, lots of carbonation.
S: Grapefruit, mango, hops. Bitter on the back end. Lovely!
T: Grapefruit, malt, hops. Superb :)
F: Great mouthfeel, refreshing, dangerously drinkable.
O: Amazing IPA. One of the best I tried lately.
★ 284 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
L: Very hazy amber color, two finger white head, ok lacing, lots of carbonation.
S: Grapefruit, mango, hops. Bitter on the back end. Lovely!
T: Grapefruit, malt, hops. Superb :)
F: Great mouthfeel, refreshing, dangerously drinkable.
O: Amazing IPA. One of the best I tried lately.
★ 284 characters
5/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I have numerous favorites when it comes to beer. Every style has its favorite. This beer is my favorite beer in the world. If you told me I could only have one beer to drink for the rest of my life.... This is it. I only wish it was around the 5.5 abv. So I could drink more of this delicious nectar in one sitting. Cheers beer lovers. It's a great day to be an American!!!!
★ 381 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I have numerous favorites when it comes to beer. Every style has its favorite. This beer is my favorite beer in the world. If you told me I could only have one beer to drink for the rest of my life.... This is it. I only wish it was around the 5.5 abv. So I could drink more of this delicious nectar in one sitting. Cheers beer lovers. It's a great day to be an American!!!!
★ 381 characters
3.43/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Smells very fresh, flowery and fruity. Great frothy head. Taste leans towards the bitter side, which is no surprise considering the style. Notes that make me think mostly of citrus rind, maybe some mild pine and sweetness.
Served in a tulip
★ 243 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Smells very fresh, flowery and fruity. Great frothy head. Taste leans towards the bitter side, which is no surprise considering the style. Notes that make me think mostly of citrus rind, maybe some mild pine and sweetness.
Served in a tulip
★ 243 characters
4.85/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5
This is almost a prefect beer, prefect balance of hops and malt, clean and refreshing, a little on the thin side in mouth feel, but other then that, Perfect
★ 156 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5
This is almost a prefect beer, prefect balance of hops and malt, clean and refreshing, a little on the thin side in mouth feel, but other then that, Perfect
★ 156 characters
4.27/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
one finger frothy white head, copper body, carbonation - looks like an ipa. smells sweet, citrus, vague sourness, not too prominent but not bad. substantial malt presence at first, hop is only noticeable for what it holds back. mouthfeel is carbonated, full bodied, slightly watery though not in a bad way I suppose. the hops are definitely being used to keep this malty beer taut and relatively balanced. finish begins with a very bright hop note, then resolves into a mellow aftertaste.
I had it on tap the other night and I remembered it being more sweet and malty than what I was looking for at the time. drinking it now (90 degrees, nyc, unexpected downpour) I don't know whether I was any more perceptive of what was in this beer, but I'm enjoying it more in any event.
★ 777 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
one finger frothy white head, copper body, carbonation - looks like an ipa. smells sweet, citrus, vague sourness, not too prominent but not bad. substantial malt presence at first, hop is only noticeable for what it holds back. mouthfeel is carbonated, full bodied, slightly watery though not in a bad way I suppose. the hops are definitely being used to keep this malty beer taut and relatively balanced. finish begins with a very bright hop note, then resolves into a mellow aftertaste.
I had it on tap the other night and I remembered it being more sweet and malty than what I was looking for at the time. drinking it now (90 degrees, nyc, unexpected downpour) I don't know whether I was any more perceptive of what was in this beer, but I'm enjoying it more in any event.
★ 777 characters
4.77/5 rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This beer has all the makings of a go-to beer. It goes well with a meal or if you're just sitting around a campfire. The availability here in Indiana makes it an easy beer to buy. The flavor is hoppy yet with the right amount of citrus which makes it very drinkable. Just be careful because the ABV can sneak up on you! You can't go wrong with a Bell's Two Hearted Ale.
★ 374 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This beer has all the makings of a go-to beer. It goes well with a meal or if you're just sitting around a campfire. The availability here in Indiana makes it an easy beer to buy. The flavor is hoppy yet with the right amount of citrus which makes it very drinkable. Just be careful because the ABV can sneak up on you! You can't go wrong with a Bell's Two Hearted Ale.
★ 374 characters
4.19/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Look: Dark gold color with thick head and heavy lacing
Smell: strong vegetable and fruit
Taste: sweet with strong bitter aftertaste that lingers.
Feel: good feel with moderate carbonation.
Sweet with strong hop taste. Not my favorite style of beer but gets better with each glass.
★ 281 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Look: Dark gold color with thick head and heavy lacing
Smell: strong vegetable and fruit
Taste: sweet with strong bitter aftertaste that lingers.
Feel: good feel with moderate carbonation.
Sweet with strong hop taste. Not my favorite style of beer but gets better with each glass.
★ 281 characters
3.5/5 rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured a hazy medium amber coolor with a snow white lingering head. Heavy lacing. Aroma was a light floral hops with a hint of malt. Sweet very light malt upfront with a pronounced hop bite on the end. Medium body with moderate carbonation. Overall, an ok beer. I would not buy again as it is mire hoppy than what I prefer.
★ 323 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured a hazy medium amber coolor with a snow white lingering head. Heavy lacing. Aroma was a light floral hops with a hint of malt. Sweet very light malt upfront with a pronounced hop bite on the end. Medium body with moderate carbonation. Overall, an ok beer. I would not buy again as it is mire hoppy than what I prefer.
★ 323 characters
3.97/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a nonic pint glass.
Look: Semi-clear burnt orange colored body under a frothy sea foam head that doesn't recede much and leaves thick bands and patches of lacing.
Aroma: Good malt presence, notes of sweet caramel up front followed by cedar and spicy hops.
Taste: Malty up front that gets covered in grapefruit rind bitterness with a spicy finish.
Mouthfeel: Thick, syrupy.
Overall: I guess I was expecting more. A good beer either way but somewhat underwhelming because of my expectations.
★ 507 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured into a nonic pint glass.
Look: Semi-clear burnt orange colored body under a frothy sea foam head that doesn't recede much and leaves thick bands and patches of lacing.
Aroma: Good malt presence, notes of sweet caramel up front followed by cedar and spicy hops.
Taste: Malty up front that gets covered in grapefruit rind bitterness with a spicy finish.
Mouthfeel: Thick, syrupy.
Overall: I guess I was expecting more. A good beer either way but somewhat underwhelming because of my expectations.
★ 507 characters
3.99/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Shaker pint glass, "best by" date 5-23-16, I think.
APPEARANCE: pours a copper color with suspended bits floating about, one-finger white head that slowly dissipated until a thin, unbroken layer of small bubbles remained, lighter carbonation, significant lacing on the glass.
SMELL: bread, brown sugar, tropical fruit like pineapple and grapefruit, there is a pine note as well.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially sweet then pineapple/grapefruit and some pine, this is a very balanced IPA, definitely more malt forward than most.
PALATE: medium body and lighter carbonation.
OVERALL: this is a very balanced IPA, I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoys the style, I would buy this again no problem.
★ 769 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Shaker pint glass, "best by" date 5-23-16, I think.
APPEARANCE: pours a copper color with suspended bits floating about, one-finger white head that slowly dissipated until a thin, unbroken layer of small bubbles remained, lighter carbonation, significant lacing on the glass.
SMELL: bread, brown sugar, tropical fruit like pineapple and grapefruit, there is a pine note as well.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially sweet then pineapple/grapefruit and some pine, this is a very balanced IPA, definitely more malt forward than most.
PALATE: medium body and lighter carbonation.
OVERALL: this is a very balanced IPA, I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoys the style, I would buy this again no problem.
★ 769 characters
Two Hearted Ale from Bell's Brewery, Inc.
4.26
out of 5
based on 13,886 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another one of those classic beers nobody on noobadvocate talks about anymore.
Has that orange appearance I like. Good head formation, this looks bad ass, 1" range. Old enough of a recipe that it came out before the advent of aroma hops per se, but its still a nice grapefruit kick in the nose.
Taste has that mild bitterness, alcohol warmth. Some citrus. Another beer that is real easy to crush several of in one setting. Has a slight caramel edge to it and related sweetness. A classic among beers.
★ 510 characters