First Bell's beer

I have the luxury of having fresh Two Hearted any time I want ... I wouldn't have even bothered buying it if it was that old. I've accidentally bought beer that was ancient ... and 4-5 months on an IPA is getting there.

 

Yepyepyep. Same goes for any IPA, really.

 

BM me with your shipping info, I will send you a couple fresh bottles of Two Hearted to try and you be the judge.

It deserves a fighting chance, since it's one amazing brew, but at that age, like Kzoobrew said, won't give you the warm and fuzzy feeling knowing you have a fresh example\

2012'er OUT

 

Surprised you saw it that old out here. I can often find it with about three weeks on it. I think it's great stuff, too.

 

To me two hearted is for individuals who don't have a strong hop profile built up. I've struck up conversations at bars with people who swear by it, but aren't very into abrasive ipas/ dipas.Good beer don't get me wrong but as previously stated outside of Hopslam they don't go to far outside the box.

 

I got out to Chicago from NY last year and was able to try Two Hearted and Oberon on tap. I thought they were both pretty solid.

 

I think a fresh bottle of Two Hearted is better beer than this year's Hopslam (I did hear some batches were better than others, though). I love Two Hearted and I love stuff like Palate Wrecker. I've had quite a few of the best/highest-rated hoppy beers out there and still love Two Hearted. It's not an extreme beer, obviously, but it's a damn good beer.

 

In the box, out of the box, they smash the box.

A brewery doesn't need to be "Extreme" to be good at what they do.

 

Guess I just enjoy beers that aren't "normal" Prally why I enjoy FFF so much :-)

 

Probably a lot more bittering hops in the boil, plus a few more thrown in there just for good measure. Many IPA's all over the country hold up remarkably better than Two Hearted when it comes to age.

 

Fixed that for you.

 

But it is safe to say they smash the box from the inside out...

 

Where in WI?
ISO:.....

 

I would guess you have never had the Oracle, Bells take on a West Coast IPA?

 

Lol, they fail to properly bitter that one too? I never find bottles of Oracle, and never went out of my way to get it on draft.

 

A bigger load of bittering hops would not all of a sudden make a 5-6 month-old IPA live up to its potential, though. If you're psyched to try a new (to you) IPA, why would you pass judgment on old stock (regardless of whether or not it falls off particularly fast)? You know it's going to be best when freshest, and 5-6 months is not even close to that.

 

I am willing to wager that Two Hearted is one of the most respected beers amongst the professionals in craft beer today, these aren't people who cannot handle their hops. Two Hearted is for those who appreciate balance and a well crafted beer.

If you do not think Bell's goes "outside the box" you have missed out on a lot.

 

The Two-Hearted stock at most places SUCKS right now as far as dates go. I just bought some January bottled on dates, and the IPA is nowhere near as good as it is when fresh. I've had Two-Hearted from stores here in Phoenix within the first two weeks of bottling and it is a night and day difference.

Some places in town always have it on draft, like Brat Haus and others. Now I've never had a bad draft of Two-Hearted here in PHX.

I check Two-Hearted dates every single time I go bottle shopping (once per week usually) so next time shoot me a beer mail and I'll tell you where I've seen it freshest. Something as great as Bell's really ought to be enjoyed reasonably fresh.

September bottled on date is a drain pour for me, sorry.

 

That one is an very bitter beer. The prototype was Big Head IPA.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/42112

Edit - as Kzoobrew says, you have missed much.

 

From a prominent west coast BA