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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
I'll certainly give it a try, Two Hearted is my favorite go-to IPA, so hopefully this is at least an acceptable offering.
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.
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.
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.
Or perhaps among the Beer Geek segment the term of "Session IPA" has a less than favorable impression? Maybe they think they could market this beer better (i.e., better sales) if they used a differing descriptor of Lo-Cal IPA? I would be surprised if they did not test market this concept. Cheers!
I think I read in a Bell's newsletter recently that a small batch will be on tap at the Eccentric Cafe soon. I can't find that newsletter to confirm it. I found a news article that talks about the distribution being year-round to all of Bell's distro footprint in 12 oz. cans. A test market of this beer already occurred at the brewery store and Eccentric Cafe last April. https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazo...kzpAOZ0sInU_4FUvtM9yoxsHRtdZghexphlVNLS2GOYog
Put me down for six; I’m willing to give it a try. There are a half dozen or so session IPAs that have nailed the texture, effectively making super hoppy pale ales. Do this with Bell’s yeast and 100% Centennial hops, and you’ve got a winner.
I’m all for sessionable hoppy beers but 3.7% abv is absurdly low. It’s Bells, do I’ll try it. Will be interesting to see how it’s priced.
I don't think he does anymore, but I'm certain that he's the one who makes sure that it gets done right.
Bell's is just trying to capture the current low-calorie craze in the craft brewery movement. I wish them well, but remember, if you gain weight from drinking beer, eat less.
That’s where I am at. I am going to assume it will be sold at a premium so for me it’s gonna be hard to shell out $8-$10 for a low calorie 3.7% Abv ipa. Personally would rather have one or two good ipas and or a lot of a cheaper beer.
Props for Bell's for marketing a true session IPA (under 4% ABV), even as their in-state competitors try to convince people to drink 4.7% ABV beer All Day. I've heard Minnesota is the number one state for Two Hearted sales, surpassing even Michigan (that may be outdated or apocryphal information). It's also the last 3.2% ABW state (grocery and convenience stores can carry beers only up to 4% ABV). I could see this being a big hit here. Centennial is a wonderful hop, much underutilized in 2019, and I think it lends itself well to a session IPA.
It seems to me that it's the mouthfeel as much or more so than the flavor that is lacking in session IPAs. Some of them taste good but don't drink well.
agreed, if i could only have one ipa for the rest of my life two hearted would be it. i feel like this is a punch in the dick but im not sure how to explain why
Another scenario could be that haze bros are are realizing that 500 calorie lactose, fruited, milkshake IPAs are catching up to them and Bell’s is trying to take advantage of a weight conscious demographic?
You're in luck. Just heard MillerCoors brewed batches of it at all seven of their US breweries last week, and previously brewed batches are supposed to hit retailers' shelves next week, too. Hmmm...
At the 2003 NHC in Chicago, Larry said he was now an executive, and hadn't brewed in a while. John Mallett has been Director of Operations since 2001. There are many brewers making the beer.
