Bell's Light Hearted Ale 12Pk

Bell's Light Hearted Ale 12-Pack is a lo-cal American IPA from Bell's Brewery in Michigan, coming in at 3.7% ABV and 110 calories per 12 oz serving. Modeled after the brewery's iconic Two Hearted Ale, this lighter sibling holds a 3.75 rating on BeerAdvocate and has earned more than 39,700 ratings on Untappd — a testament to its broad appeal among hop-forward beer drinkers who want fewer calories without sacrificing flavor.

Quick Facts: ABV: 3.7%  |  Origin: Kalamazoo, Michigan  |  Style: Lo-Cal IPA  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery  |  Calories: 110 per 12 oz  |  Carbs: 8.7g

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery, founded in 1985 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is one of the oldest craft breweries in the Midwest. Light Hearted draws its hop profile from Centennial and Galaxy hops — the former a hallmark of Two Hearted Ale — while the malt bill features Two Row, Munich, C-40, and Pale Ale malts fermented with Bell's house ale yeast. Notably, the brewery added Munich malt, which does not appear in the original Two Hearted recipe, to give this lighter beer a stronger malt foundation. No corn and no rice are used — a deliberate choice to avoid the adjunct shortcuts common in light beers. Dry-hop timing was also adjusted during production, as Light Hearted ferments more quickly than other beers in the Bell's lineup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus peel and pine resin greet the nose first, followed by a subtle floral hop quality from the Galaxy hops. There is a faint bready malt note underneath that keeps the aromatics grounded.

Taste: The entry is bright with lemon rind and grapefruit zest, moving into a surprisingly malty mid-palate for a beer at this ABV. Pine resin resurfaces alongside a light bitterness that gives the IPA its structural backbone without becoming aggressive.

Finish: Clean and drying, with residual citrus and a gentle herbal bitterness that fades quickly. The low body ensures it doesn't linger heavily, making repeat sips easy.

How to Drink Light Hearted Ale

Serve cold, ideally between 40–45°F, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify the hop aromatics. Light Hearted works well as a session beer during long afternoons or paired with food. A Beer Shandy (mixed with fresh lemonade) plays well off the existing citrus character. A Michelada variation works with Light Hearted's dry finish and low ABV, letting the tomato-lime base shine. For something simple, a Hop Radler — blended with sparkling grapefruit soda — highlights the pine and citrus without adding too much sweetness.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and summer day-drinking sessions where low ABV matters
• IPA fans looking to cut calories without switching to seltzer
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to the lo-cal IPA category
• Stocking a cooler for game day or tailgating with a crowd-friendly option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Light Hearted Ale taste like? Light Hearted Ale delivers bright citrus and pine hop flavors with a malty backbone, finishing clean and dry — essentially a lower-calorie echo of Two Hearted Ale's signature hop profile.

How does Light Hearted Ale compare to Two Hearted Ale? Two Hearted Ale is a full-strength IPA at 7% ABV with a richer, more intense hop character, while Light Hearted sits at 3.7% ABV and 110 calories, trading some body and bitterness for easy-drinking sessionability. Light Hearted also uses Galaxy hops alongside Centennial and includes Munich malt, which Two Hearted does not.

Is Light Hearted Ale good for beginners? Yes — the low ABV, moderate bitterness, and approachable citrus-forward flavor make it an accessible entry point into the IPA category without the palate shock of a more aggressive hop bomb.

Where is Light Hearted Ale made? Light Hearted Ale is brewed by Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, one of the pioneering craft breweries in the United States, founded in 1985.

What foods pair well with Light Hearted Ale? Grilled chicken pairs well because the citrus hops complement charred, smoky skin. Fish tacos with lime crema echo the beer's citrus and dry finish. A classic cheeseburger works alongside the malty backbone. Fresh salads with vinaigrette match the beer's light body, and spicy Thai dishes are tempered by the low bitterness and clean finish.

What sizes does Light Hearted Ale come in? Light Hearted Ale is commonly available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as 6-packs of 12 oz cans.

Is Light Hearted Ale worth the price? Light Hearted positions as an affordable, everyday lo-cal IPA that delivers genuine craft hop character — a strong value compared to many session IPAs that lean too heavily on adjuncts or sacrifice flavor for calorie reduction.

Why Light Hearted Ale?

What separates Light Hearted from the growing crowd of lo-cal IPAs is its direct lineage from Two Hearted Ale, one of the most awarded and recognized American IPAs ever brewed. Bell's didn't simply water down an existing recipe — the brewers reformulated the malt bill with Munich malt for body and recalibrated dry-hop timing to extract maximum flavor from Centennial and Galaxy hops at a lower ABV. At 110 calories with no corn or rice, it stands as one of the more honest low-calorie IPAs on the market. For anyone who wants real hop flavor in a beer they can drink all afternoon, Light Hearted earns its place in the cooler.