Head to Head: Lagunitas IPA vs. Bells Two Hearted Ale

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge.

Style: India Pale Ale. View the Top IPA’s

Beer	lagunitas IPA	Bells Two hearted Ale
Brewer	Lagunitas	Bells
Country	America	America
State (if Applicable)	California	Michigan

Appearance: Winner – Bells

Lagunitas – This beer has a nice yellowish Amber color with a small off white head. The head quickly recedes but leave a moderate amount of lace on the glass.

Bells – This one is quite light. It has a yellow color with a large and frothy white head. The head slowly diminishes leaving a nice lace pattern.

Aroma: Winner – Lagunitas

Lagunitas – This beer starts with a bit of sweetness on the nose. There is a smidgeon of caramel and candy sugar but then you start to get some resin and grass from the hops. They never become very strong but are pleasing.

Bells – There is a light citrus smell and some sweetness in the aroma of this beer.

Taste: Winner – Laguntitas

Lagunitas – This definitely starts sweet but a moderate amount of bitterness begins to build.

Bells – This has a similar sweet start and some bitterness comes through but it is more subdued that the other beer.

Body/Finish: Winner – Tie

Lagunitas – This has a medium body with a smoth short sftertaste with little bitterness.

Bells – The light body and smooth short finish of this beer are refreshing if lacking some of the bitterness of a typical IPA.

Overall: Winner – Lagunitas
This was a fairly close battle and also a bit of a surprise. Both of these beers seemed to lack hops and the associated bitterness common in an IPA. Each reminded me more of a Pale Ale than an IPA. I was very surprised to see that the loser was the Two Hearted Ale. I have been enjoying these for the last few months in the hot NC weather and was surprised that it lost. In fact I was surprised that it was one of these two. But in the end the win goes to the Lagunitas due to its added hop aroma and bitterness. A good introduction to a brewer I have heard good things about.

~ by alelagerlambic on July 17, 2008.