Two Hearted Ale

I've pretty excited to try Two Hearted Ale, I've heard some great things about it.  I've also heard Bell's Brewery doesn't make a bad beer, and based on my experience with Oberon, I won't argue that.   This being said, never have I been more turned off by a label on a beer before.   Maybe that's why it's been sitting in my fridge for about 2 months now.   Two Hearted Ale weighs in at a 7.1% ABV.   This is an India Pale Ale which I'm still getting accustomed to, so I hope I can review it fairly.

A: A hazy golden, bordering on amber color.  Fluffly off-white head and a decent amount of bubbles.  A quick swirl reveals that the beer leaves a large amount of lacing on the sides of the glass.

S:  Right off the bat a huge amount of floral hops blended with citrus hops are present in the scent.  Smells like a pot of fresh cut flowers.  As far as the citrus goes, definitely weighs high on the side of grapefruit with some slight lemon zest and mango.   There's also some faint malt scent that can be picked up.  The scent pretty much dares you to drink the beer.  Definitely one of the most intoxicating scents I've ever experienced in a beer.  I really can't get enough of the way this beer smells.

T:  Very well balanced for an IPA.  I hate the IPAs that are just overwhelming with a pine taste.   The best way to describe the hoppy presence is, aggressive but not overpowering. Citrus hops dominate the front of this beer.  A sweet soft grapefruit and mango taste is heavily present which gives away to a lemon/pine/malt finish.  Very tasty, yet not a beer I want to pound.  It's so tasty, I just want to enjoy it.

M:   Medium bodied, with medium to high carbonation.  Very crisp and refreshing.

D:  This is a solid beer.   It's not something I would want to drink all night due to all the different flavors present, but it's one fantastic brew.

Grade:  Two thumbs up.   Get your hands on Two Hearted Ale if you can.


So far Bells is 2 for 2.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Celebration Ale is a special ale for the holidays.  Featuring the first hops of the growing season, this pioneering IPA is full of complex flavors and aromas from the generous use of whole cone American hops.   At least, that's what it says on the bottle.   I'm not really a huge fan of IPA's, or really much of a fan at all.  So this beer is going to put my palate to the test.  Although I do like citrus style IPA's and I cheated before I made the purchase, Celebration Ale has a citrus base.  Due to it's above average ABV (6.8%) I'm going to dismiss this as a session beer before I even pour it/smell it/taste it etc..  This beer is a gold medal winner and yadda yadda.  Ya know?  The usual.

A:  Dark ruby, almost copper-like color.  Most likely best described as caramel colored.   Nice frothy head and the lacing is out of this world.  All over the glass.

S:  Tons of citrus hop in the smell, but not to the point where it is too much. There's also a piney scent that lingers as well as some bready malts.  Maybe a hint of caramel or my mind is playing tricks on me.  Beautiful smelling beer.

T:  At first, I get a very sweet citrus flavor, immediately followed by pine and bitter hops.  The bitter taste does disappear rather quickly and leave with a caramel/bready taste.  The end of the beer though finishes with bitterness coming back. The most distinct hop used it's definitely cascade (which give off the bitter citrusy taste).

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.  A rich and smooth beer.

D:  Very drinkable. You can put this beer down quickly and want to grab a few more.  At close to 7% ABV I didn't think pre-taste that I would feel this way.   

Grade:  It's a shame that such a well rounded beer is a seasonal one.  This is one of the beers you could enjoy all year around.   Definitely a solid two thumb up brew.   I wish I had bought more than just one.