Bell's Light Hearted Ale

The 69 Cubs was before my time, but my Dad told me so many stories of that team that I feel like I was there. I think he is still a little broken because of that...he got rid of all his baseball cards after that season. I was able to get him a 69 Ron Santo about 10 years ago, it is still the only Cubs memorabilia he has.

For the record, growing up a Cubs fan, I never gave one thought to the Sox (either one)

Back on topic, as for the beer, if I see it I'll give it a fair shake like I do all the ones I try. I'm sure it will be quality like most of what Bell's makes. More session beers is always a good thing for me.

 

Hey they robbed ingredients from this one to make Double Two Hearted!


Kidding.

 

Hence the spiked seltzer craze among the health conscious. I think this is a good marketing move for Bell's. Widening their market demographic. Two Hearted is great, but a six pack at 7% is too much for my liver. Can't wait to try this.

 

Any update on the trip to Machine House in Seattle, they do have a nice selection of beers. Unfortunately the place was cold And needed more atmosphere for my choice.

 

I didn't get to the brewery. I did pick up a couple of their beers, though, from a liquor store in Portland, and I reviewed them on NBS:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-767.625987/#post-6683454

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-767.625987/page-2#post-6683708

 

Lawson's makes some excellent session IPAs. Great summer crushers, all three, coming in at 4.8% ABV.

Super Session # 2
Super Session # 7
Super Session # 8

So it can be done. I am looking forward to sampling Bell's addition to the session IPA market.

 

Great reviews.

I like the sharp contrast between the Dark Mild you reviewed and then the next beer in the thread.

 

Thanks!

 

My problem with these kinda beers is they give the illusion you can drink many many of these. So the selling point is low abv, lower calories and carbs, ok fine. The other is that in general they just aren’t very good, some better than others obviously.

So if I drink say 3 light Hearted Ales and balance that against drinking say 2 Two Hearted Ales, what have I saved? There’s no doubt that the Two Hearted will be the better beer, so I’d rather drink two beers I love vs 3 of something that’s at best just ok. It can’t be of equal quality, that’s not possible in the course of dumbing it down. And I think the comparison is quite fair, if watching a game or sitting around drinking a few beers the volume is probably about right for being responsible, especially if your driving.

 

The taste factor aside, I think it comes down to whether your drinking experience will last long enough for the entire baseball game or if you want it to run out of beer in the sixth inning. And spreading out the three session beers to the ninth inning (two more hours the way games are so slow nowadays) will leave you better able to drive home.

 

I strongly disagree with your assertion that the lower abv beer couldn’t possibly be as good as the original. I generally prefer lower abv IPAs, they’re more refreshing and drinkable, higher abv beers tend to have thicker, sweeter textures and more intense flavors. I understand a lot of people like that, but it is not objectively better. Its a very American way to assume that more = better.

 

I respect your opinion, something for everyone. But 2H Ale is a 7% ipa, it’s certainly not a heavy weight, but it is a perfectly balanced beer. A lower abv beer is no better than a big Double 2H , imo both go to two different extremes. One sacrifices malt to lower th abv, the other raises it to account for the additional hops. Neither are better than the original, but that’s my opinion there, I’d still rather drink one less.

 

British (pale) ales have something to say about sacrificing malt for lower abv.

 

That they do, a well done EnglIsh Mild at sub 4% is a thing of beauty. Amazingly flavorful and forget the abv.

 

Do you like Pilsner Urquell? Don't you find that flavorful and complex? 4.4% ABV. With my cutting back on consumption, it's become my go-to for a beer when I have the hankering. At least until I try the Bell's next year.

 

When I can find it under 3-4 months old it’s a buy, but that's tough. But, yes I love Pils in general.

 

It’s unusual that some American brewers struggle to make a fuller malt flavored session ipa with more body. Some dextrin malt and a little more crystal malts would probably do the trick. My guess is that sometimes the initial focus is on calorie counting so additional unfermentable sugars are a no go. Either way, I enjoy session IPAs. Great way to get a hop focused fix when I don’t feel like thinking too much about what I’m drinking and want to enjoy more than a couple.

 

Is it a non-seller in your area? I've been finding reasonably fresh 12-pack bottles and the tall-boy cans at major retailers -- all very tasty. Then again, I'm close to the Chicago major metro area.

 

Yea not so much, mostly 5-6 months old. Under 4 I buy, like twice a year at best. Just depends on what’s around I suppose.