Head to Head: Bells Two Hearted Ale vs. Weyerbacher Hops Infusion
Welcome to today’s Head to Head challenge.
Style: India Pale Ale. View Table
| Beer | Two Hearted Ale | Hops Infusion India Pale Ale |
| Brewer | Bells | Weyerbacher |
| Country | America | America |
| State (if Applicable) | Michigan | Pennsylvania |
As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.
Appearance: Winner – Tie
Two Hearted – This beer pours yellow with a large white head. The head is thick and frothy and leaves some well-defined lace on the glass.
Hops Infusion – This has a deep rich amber color with a slightly off-white head. The head is long lasting and leaves some attractive lace as it slowly diminishes.
Aroma: Winner – Hops Infusion
Two Hearted – There is a light citrus aroma from the hops and it is joined by a bit of malt sweetness.
Hops Infusion – This has quite a bit of flavor. There are lots of hop aromas. These aromas are mainly citrus and floral and there is also some pine notes which all gives this beer a wonderful bouquet.
Taste: Winner – Hops Infusion
Two Hearted – This has a good balance of sweetness and bitterness. But for an IPA the hops seem a bit subdued
Hops Infusion – This beer has a well judged bitterness that is accompanied by some appealing floral and pine notes.
Body/Finish: Hops Infusion
Two Hearted – This beer has a light to medium body with a smooth short aftertaste that has a small amount of bitterness. It is a very easy drinking refreshing beer.
Hops Infusion – This beer is close to being a medium body, has a dry feel and a good long bitter finish.
Overall: Winner – Hops Infusion
Well chalk up another win for the Weyerbacher. I seem to be liking this beer a bit more each time I try it. Going in to the last round of the India Pale Ale Head to Heads I was sure the Two Hearted Ale would come out strong. It is a great beer. Perhaps these last bottles are a bit passed their prime. I am not so sure though. They still taste like a great beer. But the Hops Infusion just tastes like a better IPA. The hop aroma and bitterness is great without becoming all hops like the Anderson Valley Hop Ottin. But before I get ahead of my self thinking this is the end all be all of IPA’s it needs to beat a few more. So do come back to see how it does.
I’m thinking your two-hearted is a little past. I’m drinking one from batch eighty four something (too lazy to go check) and the hops are significantly receded. Of course don’t get me wrong, the Weyerbacher is great (though not as good as their Double Simcoe).
I agree about the double simcoe. I love it and it was my introduction to Simcoe hops. In fact i really need to go try to find some of it and a few other Imperial IPA’s. As for the Two hearted i think it is batch 8386. Of course what that means I have no idea. I am sure I will pick up some more.
Batch 8386 was bottle on March 24th. I love Bell’s website
Re: Double Simcoe, I’m in PA. Shoot me an email.