Good morning, BA's. A monumental moment in my beer-drinking career took place yesterday evening. My first bottle of Bell's Two Hearted Ale. I'm currently 24 years old, but have been a passionate homebrewer and craft beer drinker well before I turned 21. Beers like Two Hearted are etched in my brain as being one the most popular and highly coveted brews of all-time. I can just see it now: year after year, Zymurgy's top beer list, and Two Hearted coming in second place behind Pliny for about four years straight. For the longest time, it was the pinnacle of American Craft Beer. In my opinion, balance is the focal point of this India Pale Ale. 100% Centennial hopped. Not 95% Centennial hopped. 100% Centennial. I dig that. I'll admit, Centennial is not my favorite hop, but if there is any beer out there that highlights Centennial in the proper way, it's Two Hearted. Orange-creamsicle and citric-toned throughout, there is almost a rustic, spicy characteristic that I perceive to maybe be from their house-yeast. Two Hearted has a wonderful malt-foundation of biscuit and nuts. Again, nuanced and balanced. Yes, old-school India Pale Ale. I have to admit, it's weird seeing Two Hearted in my fridge. But boy, am I glad it's there. Finally getting your hands on these polarizing beers is what makes craft beer so great. Cheers to Bell's and all of the other family-owned craft breweries. Larry Bell, thank you for Two Hearted Ale, and thank you for finally making it to Texas. What are your thoughts on Two Hearted? And what other coveted breweries would you like to see in Texas? Cheers!
I am glad they are here, ironically I haven't bought any since they have been here, but that is going to change next week. If you had to ask what I would like to see show up here now, it would probably be Parish brewing or . Ghost in the Machine is nice and I like it, but I have found that Envie is the beer I would most likely have in my fridge year round. In looking at my rating I gave it a lowly 3.9, but I have had several 6 packs of it since then and going to re-review it next time I get another 6 pack. The other brewery I would like to see come into Texas is Fat Head, I think Head Hunter is a great beer, and will be the beer I mule back from Florida now that Bells is here (along with some Envie when I pass thru Lafayette)
I had my first Two Hearted 11 years ago at the University of Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace on a gorgeous Wisconsin summer night. It was a little humid, but not overly hot. My friends and I just finished a pitcher of our beloved New Glarus Spotted Cow and decided to try a 'new to us' beer. We went with Two Hearted. I have loved it ever since. It is a phenomenally well done IPA. I love that I used to bring back cases from Wisconsin or Florida while on vacation and even 1 - 2 months out it is still the same phenomenal IPA. Not many IPAs can say they hold up that well, that far out.
Since you brought up old college days memories...my first was similar (wait, are talking about beer). I was at Southern Illinois University, probably 11 or 12 years ago. A great little pizza spot that would do dollar pitchers. I was the geeky Geology Club president, and we had our weekly meetings there. Schlafly, Anchor, Goose Island, and then Bells...those were the days.
Yes, definitely talking about beer, lol! Have to keep it PG around here. And yes, Goose Island as well, back in the day.......damn I sound old.
Carbondale? I'm class of '00. I don't remember a lot of craft there in the 90s besides Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada and the local brewpub, Copper Dragon. I actually drank a lot of Honey Brown and Killian's Honey (while it existed) back in those days.
Pags and Pinch, Quatros for better pizza but not a good selection Come to think of it, we probably did the $1 pitchers at Quatros which only had Amber Bock etc, then headed somewhere else like Pinch Penny and had the Two Hearted.
Two Hearted is a classic on par with SNPA. It had a place in my fridge(s) since 2006, at least, and there has been a void ever since moving to Dallas in 2011, I'm so happy its back in my rotation. I've always loved the artwork, too.
I was going to mention Torpedo. It's better than both, but it's definitely a testament to SN's availability and shelf life.
I live in Chicago and can get Two Hearted nearly anywhere I go. I never get sick of it, year after year. This and Dead Guy Ale are my go-to when I'm at a place with a more "limited" list.
