otakuden (518), Vero Beach, Florida, USA
| 4.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Aug 3, 2008 I keep reading/hearing about this hop shortage...with no sign of an IPA stoppage anywhere in sight. Of course, I am not going to complain when I can still get me hands on some good IPA...but I don’t expect the good fortune to last forever.
I can sum up Bells Two Hearted Ale in three words: soft. Floral. Smooth.
Maybe not what one would initially think when thinking IPA, but that is taking into consideration Two Hearted is an IPA. I love my 90 Minute, but Two Hearted has nudge her into second place. This is, quite finely, the best IPA I have drunk to date.
Bright orange and amber, citrusy herbal hop perfume caresses my nose. A very powerful oily hop presence makes itself known before taking even one sip. And then the surprise. Bright crisp citrus and flowery hops fill my taste buds, but softly and with a very smooth body (creamy). The oils coat my mouth, rounding out into a bitter burst on the very center of my tongue. Amazing. Such a strong head, and yet such a delicate balance of hoppy IPA character - flowers, citrus, and pepper. It’s like Two Hearted is trying to say to me "hey. I’m here. I’m hoppy. I’m delicious and complex, more than just a hop bomb being dropped blindly on your senses. Take note of the subtle characters and flavors that make me such a delicious IPA. One sip, and I know you will understand."
And so I say to Two Hearted, I do understand. Fish theme included, a great summer refresher. TEJA (284), Stockholm, Sweden
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Aug 1, 2008 Updated: Aug 12, 2008Firm foam that is thick enough to eat with fork and knife. Light amber. Loads of fresh hops aroma. Totaly hop dominated taste with just hints om caramell taste. bennylava (83), California, USA
| 4.4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Jul 31, 2008
12oz botlle. Wow, what a fantastic IPA. Pours an golden amber color with nice head and great lacing. Amazing balance of malt and hops, awesome aroma and taste. Wonderful hop bitterness too.
nqualls (1429), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| 4.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 3/5 | 18/20 | Jul 31, 2008 12 oz bottle. Poured a clear gold color with 1.5 fingers of head. Aroma is of floral hops. Moderate lacing. Taste is very well balanced. Great beer. Ceebs25 (223), Naperville, Illinois, USA
| 4.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 10/10 | 4/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 19/20 | Jul 28, 2008 On tap at the Flying Saucer in KC (Thank you Pawola). Floral bouquet, massive, some citrus, all hop, but love it. Minor head on this pour, stays very well though, great lacing, burnt orange gold. Brilliant balance, citrus hop and pale malt just flow together so effortlessly, I’d be doing this beer an injustice to try to describe further, very smooth but I love the little sting on the tongue, great hoppy lingering. Heaven! Dedollewaitor (3642), Odense, Denmark
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Jul 20, 2008 12oz bottle. Thanks to TheEpeeist. Pours hazy golden with a fine stable creamy white head & handsome lacings. Nose is hoppy - lots of fruity citrus & floral notes. Overall a hoppy IPA with just a touch of bready malts. Pine, grapefruit & citrus. Very fresh & crisp. Long lasting bitter end! This is quality! Very nice! RomanW70 (297), Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| 4.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Jul 20, 2008 Bottle thanks to Alobar! Probably the best IPA I’ve ever head. Aroma of grapefruits and pine. Beautiful combination of sweet malts, citrusy and earlthy pines. Has good, lasting bitterness but not over the top. An exceptionally well made beer. 2jayjay2 (6), Roseville, Michigan, USA does not count | 4.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 18/20 | Jul 19, 2008 A top notch ipa with a slight citrusy finish and lingering hops at the end. A thoroughly tasteful example of the style.
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