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

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have two India Pale Ales from America. The first is from California and is the Lagunitas IPA. The second is from Michigan and is the Bells Two Hearted ale

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

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.