I have never been a huge fan of IPA's and there sometimes overwhelming hoppy bitterness. I feel like a lot of brewery's and maybe even some home brewers cover up bad beer with large amounts of hops and call it and IPA.(sorry not trying to offend anyone) However last night I went out on a limb and picked up a 6 pack of Belle's Two Hearted and I must say it is one of the best brews I have ever had. I am sure you have all had this brew, and it nothing new. I think now that I have broadened my horizons and will beguin to enjoy hoppy brews alot more... That is all I just wanted to share my apifany that I had last night!
Finally found an IPA I like.
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two_hearted
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Nice Ryan! two hearted is my favorite beer. Keep an eye out for these in the spring
Here's a clone recipe for you: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f69/bells-two-hearted-ale-clone-close-they-come-91488/
Here's a clone recipe for you: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f69/bells-two-hearted-ale-clone-close-they-come-91488/
smalliewader
Well-Known Member
Not an IPA fan myself. I keep seeing the stuff around here, I might have to try a sixer. Normally, I just ignore any and all IPA's.
makomachine
Well-Known Member
How does this compare to Stone Ruintation? I've never had 2 hearted as I can't get it in my area but love Ruination which is also a Centennial centric beer. Is this a milder Ruination or are there other differences tied to malt, alcohol, or bittering character?
lNice Ryan! two hearted is my favorite beer. Keep an eye out for these in the spring
Here's a clone recipe for you: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f69/bells-two-hearted-ale-clone-close-they-come-91488/
Hey Mike thanks for the heads up on those party kegs. I can for sure see how this would be your favorite brew. I need to get with you... I did a PM recipe for a Kenucky Bourbon Barrel Ale clone.... It's been in primary about a week now... I am pretty excited and hoping I can start drinking it around Christmas time.
brew2enjoy
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, we don't get any Bell's beer here in Delaware (that I am aware of). But I kept hearing about how good THA was so I brewed a clone. I did the "dead Ringer" clone from Northern Brewer. It is just now hitting it's prime at 3 weeks in the keg and it is mighty tasty. Only problem is I have no way to compare it to the real thing 
Anyone want to send me a few? I'll trade for a bottle of DFH 120 min IPA (2011)
Anyone want to send me a few? I'll trade for a bottle of DFH 120 min IPA (2011)
makomachine
Well-Known Member
How would you describe the differences between the two? Ruination is all about the hop - dank and intoxicating aroma with malt really not making it's way to the front with that beer.
I think 2H is a bit maltier than many other IPAs. Significant hops, as you would expect, but there is something else there that I think some others don't have. I just don't think it's as dry as many others, and that is maybe why I like it a bit more.
It's plenty hoppy without being harshly bitter.
It's plenty hoppy without being harshly bitter.
D_Ranged_Eskimo
Well-Known Member
I had that last year while I was up in MI. Good stuff. Had no idea what it was since they don't carry it in Texas but took a shot in the dark and it was a good choice!
Nice Ryan! two hearted is my favorite beer. Keep an eye out for these in the spring
Here's a clone recipe for you: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f69/bells-two-hearted-ale-clone-close-they-come-91488/
Yeah if you EVER see a 2H mini keg, grab it.......they go VERY quick when they hit the shelves. I saw 3 at Meijers and said, Nah Ill get one this weekend...litterally 5 minutes later they were all gone.
Brutus Brewer
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I tried Total Domination IPA by Ninkasi, I think, out in Portland last month. Only IPA I've had that I like so far.
BeerWard
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I call Bells THA, the "gateway IPA." I have more than a few friends that tried it and since have been more open to many other IPAs.
solbes
Well-Known Member
I have 5 Two Hearteds left in my fridge as I type. Mmmm, its my favorite IPA also.
I'm not huge into the style as the OP, but I like to drink them during the colder months. For hoppy beers, I just prefer pale ales and ESB's more as they are toned down a tad. I have some Honker Ale in my fridge right now too, also an excellent ale that I've just come to really like.
I'm not huge into the style as the OP, but I like to drink them during the colder months. For hoppy beers, I just prefer pale ales and ESB's more as they are toned down a tad. I have some Honker Ale in my fridge right now too, also an excellent ale that I've just come to really like.
I agree 100%. The Vienna adds a maltiness that perfectly balances Centennial's floral/citrus notes, and it's fairly low in IBUs when compared to most American IPAs. If anyone is even considering cloning it, DO IT. Side by side with a bottle from Bell's, the importance of freshness is extremely evident.
Yes, I agree! It's not a big IPA with over-the-top hops so it's my "everyday" beer. Sure, it's hoppy, but it's really got malt backbone too, so it's closer to balanced than many other IPAs, particularly west coast IPAs.
It's really a nice beer for beginning hopheads! My son-in-law picked up the mini-keg last spring and took it ice fishing. He's becoming more and more of a hophead- he used to go for my stouts and ambers and now he heads right for any hoppy APA or IPA that I have on tap! I saw him drinking a Belgian one day, so I made a Belgian pale ale. As far as I know, he's never even touched my Belgian! Once you go to the hops, you never come back.
doctorRobert
Well-Known Member
I love IPAs.... but I did not think 2 hearted ale lived up to the hype.
Ithica's Flower Power.... now that's a delicious IPA.
Ithica's Flower Power.... now that's a delicious IPA.
Seven
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Two Hearted is a staple in our home. It's not too bitter but it has loads of flavor and aroma hops.
rico567
Well-Known Member
Bell's Two Hearted is one of a select group of IPAs that sort of defines the style. It's got that balance of hops and malt that is not there in a style more and more dominated by "hop bombs." I went through my period of infatuation with highly hopped beers a few years ago, but......I'm back. I make things like Yoop's House Pale Ale and BCB Rye IPA (see recipe section for both) and consider them hoppy enough for my taste. Had a Two Brothers Heavy Handed while at our favorite watering hole last evening, which would be another good example of a "standard" IPA.
Big problem with this style, IMHO, is that it's varied and mutated, what with all the possibilities in available grains, yeast and hops out there, that it needs redefinition....certainly something more than "IPA," "Imperial IPA," and "Double Over The Top Super Blastoff IPA."
Not to minimize or denigrate the style- picked up a six of Abita's Jockamo earlier this week, and the caramel thing they've got going on in there in juxtaposition to the hops is a revelation. Always something different........
Big problem with this style, IMHO, is that it's varied and mutated, what with all the possibilities in available grains, yeast and hops out there, that it needs redefinition....certainly something more than "IPA," "Imperial IPA," and "Double Over The Top Super Blastoff IPA."
Not to minimize or denigrate the style- picked up a six of Abita's Jockamo earlier this week, and the caramel thing they've got going on in there in juxtaposition to the hops is a revelation. Always something different........
Just going to chime in and say that Bell's Two Hearted Ale is probably one of my favorite beers. I like what BeerWard said - it's definitely a gateway IPA. It was my first and now I'm a huge hophead.
I just think it's so wonderfully balanced, a lot of IPA's tend to be a bit too malty or a bit to bitter. I also love Centennial hops.
If you like Bell's Two Hearted then check out Founder's Centennial IPA, taste notes are very similar. Damn near every IPA in Michigan uses Centennial hops.
And damn I'm excited for those minikegs.
EDIT: I heard that Bell's is currently going through a large expansion that should quadruple their production (don't quote me on that, but it's a large expansion nonetheless). So all of you who can't find it now, I bet it will be on every shelf before too long.
I just think it's so wonderfully balanced, a lot of IPA's tend to be a bit too malty or a bit to bitter. I also love Centennial hops.
If you like Bell's Two Hearted then check out Founder's Centennial IPA, taste notes are very similar. Damn near every IPA in Michigan uses Centennial hops.
And damn I'm excited for those minikegs.
EDIT: I heard that Bell's is currently going through a large expansion that should quadruple their production (don't quote me on that, but it's a large expansion nonetheless). So all of you who can't find it now, I bet it will be on every shelf before too long.
makomachine
Well-Known Member
I consider Edworts Haus Pale Ale a great 'welcome to craft brew beer' after recently kegging it. It's a bit mild for me to be an every day beer, as I'm a fan of the hop. I'm also a lover of Ruination but am trying to brew more sessionable beers lately. I was going to do your Ruination clone with a reduction in the malt bill by a pound or so to make it slightly more session able - but maybe this beer is more what I'm looking for. Sounds like this beer would be a great 'balanced' IPA to have on tap and might just be my next brew.
ThickHead
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Stone Ruination (IIPA) and Bell's Two Hearted (IPA) are really two different styles of beer. So describing the difference between the two is a bit like describing the difference between a monkey and a gorilla. If you wish to compare "apples to apples" by using a Stone products as a reference point then use the Stone IPA.
Comparing the Stone IPA with Bell's Two Hearted is something I have done quite a lot. I love both beers. The Two Hearted has a sweeter (maltier) finish in my opinion. The body of the Stone IPA is also a bit lighter. There is also a difference in the hops as the Stone IPA is a columbus/centennial mix where Two Hearted is an all centennial. Both great beers.
makomachine
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Stone IPA is a great beer but I'm preferring the hop flavor and especially the aroma of Ruination - and the Centennial only hops. I like a more balanced beer and thinking this might be the ticket - it's added to the brew list!
ThickHead
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I only used Stone IPA as a qualifying comparison. Stone Ruination is a double IPA (IIPA) by style guidelines (even though Stone calls it an IPA). So comparing it to Two Hearted is difficult because there is such a difference in IBUs. Additionally, Stone Ruination is also a columbus/centennial mix of hop variety. Ruination is a Stone IPA on steroids really (minus the chinook).
makomachine
Well-Known Member
Wasn't aware Stone was using Columbus in Ruination - must be their bittering addition. Fully aware it's an IIPA and it's a bit apples to oranges, but like the strong Centennial aroma of Ruination. I don't get that with Stones IPA and have to think they are using Columbus in later additions as well. Regardless, I'm sold on brewing the clone of this beer as it sounds like a winner. Thanks for the input and wish I could do some side by side comparisons!
ThickHead
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The biggest difference will be the maltier characteristic and the sweeter finish of the Two Hearted clone. Happy brewing!
Edit: Other than the IBUs of course.
beergolf
Well-Known Member
Mmmmm Two Hearted Ale.
i just harvested some Bell's yeast that I am using tomorrow for a THA clone. Yeast is on the stirplate in a big starter right now.
i just harvested some Bell's yeast that I am using tomorrow for a THA clone. Yeast is on the stirplate in a big starter right now.
blagosaurous
Member
FYI - I talked to a rep from my local distributor trying to find an outlet for the 5L mini kegs of Oberon & asked about the 2 hearted mini kegs.... He told me that Bells isn't going to release them this year but is still planning on doing Hopslam.
Hopefully he's wrong....
Hopefully he's wrong....
Right now I am crazy about Fat Tires Ranger IPA! It is very light on the malt and seems to have a big hop bill I know cascade simcoe and Chinook with 70 IBUs. I have been looking at the trying to find a clone or something similar. Anyone have ideas or suggestions?
homebrewin
Member
If you mean new belgiums ranger, ask and you shall receive and it's spot on
RANGER
OG 1.059
FG 1.009
IBU 70
SRM 7
ABV 6.4%
Grains/Sugars
8.25 lb Pale Malt
3 oz Crystal 120L
2 lb cane sugar - added when 15 minutes are left in boil
Hops
60 minutes - 12 AAU Chinook (1 oz of 12% aa)
30 minutes - 6.5 AAU Simcoe (0.5 oz of 13% aa)
15 minutes - 3.8 AAU Cascade (0.75 oz of 5% aa)
0 minutes - 0.5 oz Cascade
dry hop - 1.25 oz Cascade - for one week
Yeast
Wyeast 1792 or
Wyeast 1272 or
WLP051
Details
Mash @148*F
Boil for 90 minutes
Ferment @68*F
RANGER
OG 1.059
FG 1.009
IBU 70
SRM 7
ABV 6.4%
Grains/Sugars
8.25 lb Pale Malt
3 oz Crystal 120L
2 lb cane sugar - added when 15 minutes are left in boil
Hops
60 minutes - 12 AAU Chinook (1 oz of 12% aa)
30 minutes - 6.5 AAU Simcoe (0.5 oz of 13% aa)
15 minutes - 3.8 AAU Cascade (0.75 oz of 5% aa)
0 minutes - 0.5 oz Cascade
dry hop - 1.25 oz Cascade - for one week
Yeast
Wyeast 1792 or
Wyeast 1272 or
WLP051
Details
Mash @148*F
Boil for 90 minutes
Ferment @68*F
Oberon mini kegs are everywhere I look around here. (Southwest suburban Chicago..) I've never seen 2HA in a minikeg.
Unfortunately, we don't get any Bell's beer here in Delaware (that I am aware of). But I kept hearing about how good THA was so I brewed a clone. I did the "dead Ringer" clone from Northern Brewer. It is just now hitting it's prime at 3 weeks in the keg and it is mighty tasty. Only problem is I have no way to compare it to the real thing
Anyone want to send me a few? I'll trade for a bottle of DFH 120 min IPA (2011)
Make the drive into PA. Can't get it in Maryland, but good package stores in PA carry it. Have to buy a case but well worth it.
No, that looks like an AG recipe. If you want to do it as an extract, you can sub light DME (5 pounds) or LME (6.5 pounds) for the "pale malt". Otherwise, it's the same. Don't do a 90 minute boil! 60 minutes is fine with extract.
I can't imagine why the 90 minute boil is there at all. Probably a typo.
DoubleAught
Well-Known Member
Hopslam is pretty amazing as well.
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