Bell's Two Hearted Question

I was just thinking that the other day when I was sipping on one from an October batch. Not bad whatsoever. Obviously not a hop explosion or anything, but still a decent brew overall. Used to be a big "go-to" of mine, especially at the price of $9.99 a 6 pack. It's classic.

 

Call poison control.

But seriously, I would say Two Hearted holds up well..atleast to the 2 month threshold anyway. Had an 11/25/13 not too long ago and it tasted fine. Very slight drop off from the 12/27/13 bottle I had around the same time. Not a big deal. I think it held up fine.

 

FWIW Bells gives it a 6 month shelf life

 

What do they know??? They only make the beer

 

it seems with 2 hearted anything over a month old and its aroma kinda fades, I would try to drink it within a month of bottle date to truly enjoy it for what it is. plus don't forget cans of 2 hearted will be released in a few months so those should stay go for I would imagine a few months if not longer.

 

I actually went through a 3-month-old sixer of two hearted about a year ago and found it to be boozier and not as hoppy as I was used to it being. Although, I'm more used to having it on tap so that might have a lot to do with it.

 

I'm sure the 6 months is supposed to be all refrigerated time also, which is rarely if ever the case, so that would have to be figured in

 

I'd say Two-Hearted holds up pretty well because it doesn't have as robust a flavor profile as a lot of other IPAs, IMHO. It stands to reason that a "mellower" beer isn't going change as noticeably, or as quickly.

 

A local store used to have a discount bin for discontinued, out of season, and just plain old products. Whenever I found Bells 2-Hearted in the bin, I bought it. I would check the batch number on line to find out when it was made and I've had some very old Bells 2-Hearted (>1 year). I can say that it was hazy in appearance and hop character faded somewhat, making it a bit sweeter. However, it was still quite drinkable. A few other brands seemed to do well even when they were discovered in this bin: Sierra Nevada (Pale Ale), August Schell (Pilsner and Kolsch), and various New Glarus (that sort of rhymes!). In contrast, beers from a few smaller, local brewers often were quite awful. I think the bigger brewers have better bottling process.

 

Maybe it's the great water they have in Michigan because I find that Founders Centennial IPA also has a very good shelf life

 

2-3 months is when the hop change happened for the last 6er I bought.

 

The 6er bottled on 1/14/14 that I have seems rather bland, granted this is only the 3rd or so time I've bought it. Maybe the Hopslam skewed my taster...

 

Definitely think you're right on. The qaulity of the process (bottling and otherwise) plays a big factor in the shelf life and Bell's does a great job.

 

Two Hearted retains a lot of it's hop character with age, but after 3-4 months it's noticeable.

I have a few bottles that are less than 3 weeks old and they are exceptional. As with any IPA, fresher is always better

 

You might be right about the water, but it also could be the centennial hop itself that has a longer shelf life than some of the other hops.

 

I appreciate the numerous comments that discuss the aspect of Two Hearted Ale having some ‘longevity’:

• The quality of the process (bottling and otherwise)
• holds up pretty well because it doesn't have as robust a flavor profile as a lot of other IPAs
• Michigan water
• Centennial hops
• Etc.

But the fact that Bell’s has the gonads to claim that this beer is good for 6 months is a travesty.

Cheers!

 

I don't think it holds up very well. I've never had it super fresh, but I've had it about 6 weeks old and about 10 weeks old and I noticed a real difference. It's still good and I'm not above drinking older IPA's, but I am above buying them. I pretty much won't spend money for anything over 2 months at this point.

 

Not saying that change isn't noticeable in IPA's over time, but I would like to see someone taste and put in order batches taken once a week for 3 or maybe 6 months. I would think that would say a lot to so called "high threshold with flavor drop offs in IPA."