Bell's Light Hearted Ale

Discussion in 'Beer Releases' started by Ranbot, Aug 16, 2019.

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  1. Ranbot

    Ranbot Pooh-Bah (2,463) Nov 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I noticed on social media that Bell's just announced Light Hearted Ale will debut nationally in 2020. Per Bell's social media statement: "Light Hearted, a lo-cal IPA with many of the characteristics of its namesake, but without all the calories, will debut in early 2020. All malt, balanced, flavorful, hoppy and only 3.7% ABV. More to come."



    There is a brief write-up of Light-Hearted Ale in Beer Street Journal too: https://beerstreetjournal.com/bells-light-hearted-ale/
    "...The 110 calorie, 8.7 carb, 3.5% alcohol by volume[*] “light” ale has been a Bell’s General Store exclusive release, showing up...earlier this summer..."

    ...brewery’s description: Light hearted is everything you love about Two Hearted: 100% centennial hops, balanced, a firm malt backbone, and all of the hop aroma too, from pine to grapefruit.    "

    [* - The Beer Street Journal's article came out a few days before the official announcement, so the ABV cited is for the brewery-only version that's been out this summer, but Bell's announcement and the label below show 3.7% ABV.]

    I like the 80's vibe of the can art.
     
    #1 Ranbot, Aug 16, 2019
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  2. AZBeerDude72

    AZBeerDude72 Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2016 Arizona

    Sounds good to me, if they can hit the flavor mark and also offer lower calories win win. With the reports coming out of a lot of today's IPA, NEIPA clocking in at 400-600 calories this is welcomed news.

    I am still skeptical though, since the other session beers I drink are so lacking flavor they are not fun to drink, so we shall see.
     
    #2 AZBeerDude72, Aug 16, 2019
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  3. Ranbot

    Ranbot Pooh-Bah (2,463) Nov 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Agree and agree. I tend to prefer low-ABVs in styles other than IPAs. I will certainly look forward to trying it.

    Price will also be a factor in whether it's a repeat buy for me. I prefer that a light, low-ABV beer for session-style repeat drinking also be easy on the wallet. I hope Bells take a page from Founders.
     
    #3 Ranbot, Aug 16, 2019
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  4. JLaw55

    JLaw55 Pooh-Bah (2,417) Jul 10, 2014 Missouri
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I completely agree with posts above. Very interested to try this. I have tried plenty of session IPAs and they always just seem thin, watery, and a shadow of their regular IPA brethren; however, if they find a way to make this follow closely in flavor profile to it's big brother, then I am all in.

    If someone figures out how to do a session IPA right one of these days; game over.
     
    #4 JLaw55, Aug 16, 2019
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  5. ClarkstonMark

    ClarkstonMark Zealot (515) Feb 21, 2016 Michigan
    Trader

    I really hope this tastes good
     
    #5 ClarkstonMark, Aug 16, 2019
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  6. t420o

    t420o Maven (1,272) Jul 16, 2009 California

    I haven’t had a low-cal or session IPA that I’ve liked. I love Two Hearted and (obviously) Centennial hops, so I’ll give this a try to see if this one is a bit better.

    I love the label/can art on this one though!!
     
    #6 t420o, Aug 16, 2019
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  7. Milktoast75

    Milktoast75 Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2012 Wisconsin

    Men on the Moon.
    Phone in your pocket.
    HD TV.
    A session IPA worth of drinking? Man, I hope so!
    Love the original and would love to love the light.
     
    #7 Milktoast75, Aug 16, 2019
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  8. Ranbot

    Ranbot Pooh-Bah (2,463) Nov 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I approve of the mods editing my original post to look better than what I did. :smile:
     
    #8 Ranbot, Aug 16, 2019
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  9. meanmutt

    meanmutt Grand Pooh-Bah (3,883) Feb 6, 2012 Ohio
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Most excited I've been for a new beer release in quite some time!
     
    #9 meanmutt, Aug 16, 2019
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  10. Mark-Leggett

    Mark-Leggett Pooh-Bah (2,317) Jul 30, 2014 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah

    Definitely be trying this one out
     
    #10 Mark-Leggett, Aug 16, 2019
  11. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    The Brits have been doing that for a century or so! :wink:
     
    #11 MNAle, Aug 16, 2019
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  12. hoppytobehere

    hoppytobehere Pooh-Bah (2,046) Aug 10, 2012 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah

    Would rather have a miller lite
     
    #12 hoppytobehere, Aug 17, 2019
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  13. drh88

    drh88 Pundit (810) Dec 21, 2005 Pennsylvania

    Still waiting patiently for Double Two Hearted Ale
     
    #13 drh88, Aug 17, 2019
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  14. ESHBG

    ESHBG Pooh-Bah (2,099) Jul 30, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Will be interested to see how this turns out. Session IPAs are hit or miss for me but they do seem to be getting better. Recently I was out and didn't want to drink too much and after two Lagers I wanted something with a tad bit more bite, ordered a Lagunitas Daytime and it hit the spot perfectly.
     
    #14 ESHBG, Aug 17, 2019
  15. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    Ugh, Two Hearted is quite possibly one the most iconic ipas on the market. Right off the top I’m going to guess it’s a bad idea. Just drink one less, I hate session ipas to begin with I find the idea for the style absurd. My opinion there.
     
    #15 nc41, Aug 17, 2019
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  16. Alefflicted

    Alefflicted Crusader (481) Dec 2, 2017 Minnesota

    I'll certainly give it a try, Two Hearted is my favorite go-to IPA, so hopefully this is at least an acceptable offering.
     
    #16 Alefflicted, Aug 17, 2019
  17. Junior

    Junior Pooh-Bah (1,883) May 23, 2015 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You may be right but isn’t 2/3 to 3/4 of Founders volume All Day?

    I rarely drink it but someone is.
     
    #17 Junior, Aug 17, 2019
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  18. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    They do at that, but personally I wouldn’t take it for free. It’s about individual palates with this stuff, I’d just as soon drink one less of a good beer vs this session stuff. If I want light and low abv I’d just pick up a Coors Light vs a ridiculous bitter bomb.
     
    #18 nc41, Aug 17, 2019
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  19. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Bell's is calling it a "Lo-Cal IPA" without using that 'session' word, so maybe that's a hint they think it is different from the low-flavor session beers already in the marketplace. We can only hope it has a full taste like a Two Hearted but with only 110 calories and 3.5% abv.
     
    #19 PapaGoose03, Aug 17, 2019
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  20. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    Seems impossible to take Two Hearted and dumb it down in abv and calories and it tastes like 2H. It might require the head brewer to get a medal from the Vatican for witnessing a miracle. Up for Sainthood.
     
    #20 nc41, Aug 17, 2019
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