A few weeks ago, we ranted and raved about one of the beer world’s greatest treasures, Bell’s Hopslam. And we noted that it definitely slammed you with hops. Maybe you just like hops, or even like-like them. But you don’t love them like us or don’t appreciate being slapped in the face by them. Does that mean that you can’t enjoy a good IPA every once in a blue moon? Not if you can get your hands on one of Bell’s other fantastic beers: the Two-Hearted Ale.
First, let’s look at some major differences between Hopslam and Two-Hearted. Hopslam is brewed with multiple varieties of hops, including six different kinds in the initial boiling phase. Two-Hearted, on the other hand, is brewed with only one variety. Hopslam is a beer that revels in complexity; when we reviewed it, we noted the grapefruit and honey flavors.
Two-Hearted is a simple American-style IPA, meaning it doesn’t have a lot of superfluous ingredients and it only uses American-grown hops. Two-Hearted is not as exclusive as its brew cousin, and it is bottled year round. Two-Hearted will save your wallet, too, since it costs about half as much as Hopslam. While Hopslam knocks you back, Two-Hearted gives you a nice hoppy hug.
We had Two-Hearted on draft at Jackie O’s, where you can find it being poured as a guest draft pretty regularly. Every time we’ve had it, it’s poured nicely. It has a good head that mellows out after a few minutes, so you won’t get a mouthful of foam when you try to take your first drink.
When you smell it, there’s no denying that this is an IPA. The hops are definitely there. But remember, these are American hops, specifically hops grown in the Pacific Northwest. We could smell some lovely pine aromas getting past the initial bitterness.
The taste is smooth. It’s an inoffensive, simple IPA flavor. Unlike Hopslam, there’s little sweetness. You’re going to get a bitter aftertaste, but as you get further down into your glass, the bitterness becomes more and more manageable. There’s a slight yeasty flavor, and it compliments the bitterness.
The only way you’re going to hate Two-Hearted is if you hate all IPAs. Really, Bell’s has made a beer that could be considered a gateway drug of the craft beer community. After you come to realize how great Two-Hearted is, you’re already on your way to becoming a full-blown hophead like the two of us. It’s a really good beer and we love it with both of our hearts.
Jared Henderson and Patty Arnold are seniors studying philosophy
and biological science, respectively, at Ohio University and columnists for The Post. What beer should be on their radar? Email them at jh350409@ohiou.edu and pa803908@ohiou.edu.
