Bell's Double Two Hearted 6Pk

Bell's Double Two Hearted 6Pk is a 6-pack of 12 oz Imperial IPA cans from Bell's Brewery in Michigan, clocking in at 11% ABV. This double-strength rendition of the original Two Hearted Ale — a beer named #1 in America by Zymurgy magazine three consecutive years (2017–2019) — amplifies the 100% Centennial hop profile that made its predecessor a modern classic.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Michigan, USA  |  Style: Imperial / Double IPA  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery  |  Hops: 100% Centennial

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery was founded in 1985 by Larry Bell in Kalamazoo, Michigan, making it one of the earliest craft breweries east of the Rockies. The brewery is now part of the Lion Little World Beverages family alongside New Belgium Brewing following a 2021 merger. Double Two Hearted follows the same single-hop philosophy as the original — built entirely around Centennial hops sourced from the Pacific Northwest — but with a substantially bigger grain bill to push the ABV to 11%. Where the standard Two Hearted sits at 7% ABV and 55 IBU, the Double version packs a considerably more aggressive hop charge and deeper malt backbone to support the elevated alcohol. Bell's is known for its specialized shallow, wide-format fermentation tanks that allow hops to disperse over a greater surface area, a design choice that maximizes hop contact and contributes to the expressive aromatics the Two Hearted family is known for.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense pine resin and ruby red grapefruit hit first, followed by sticky floral notes and a hint of tropical fruit. A subtle caramel malt sweetness anchors the hop-forward aromatics without competing for attention.

Taste: The entry is bold with resinous, piney hop bitterness that quickly expands into layers of citrus peel, grapefruit flesh, and light floral character. At mid-palate, a generous malt sweetness rises to meet the hops — biscuit, light caramel, and a touch of honey keep the 11% ABV in check. The higher alcohol imparts a faint warming quality, but the lively carbonation and full body prevent any sense of heaviness.

Finish: Long, dry, and firmly bitter with lingering pine and grapefruit pith. A subtle warmth from the alcohol persists alongside residual malt sweetness that fades cleanly.

How to Drink Double Two Hearted

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at around 45–50°F to allow the hop aromatics to fully open up; this beer rewards deliberate sipping. The 11% ABV and assertive hop profile make it a strong standalone pour, but it also holds up in hop-forward cocktail applications. A Hop Shandy with fresh lemon juice tempers the bitterness with bright acidity. A Beer-a-Rita using Double Two Hearted in place of a standard lager adds serious hop complexity to the lime and salt combination. A Boilermaker alongside a pour of bourbon creates an all-American pairing where the caramel malt and pine resin echo the whiskey's oak and vanilla.

Best For

• Sharing with hop-obsessed friends during a backyard cookout
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who already knows and loves the original Two Hearted
• Slow sipping on a cold evening when a single big beer replaces a session
• Side-by-side tastings comparing the original Two Hearted against the Imperial version

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Two Hearted taste like? It delivers amplified pine resin, grapefruit, and floral hop character over a substantial malt backbone of biscuit and caramel, finishing dry and firmly bitter with noticeable but controlled alcohol warmth at 11% ABV.

How does Double Two Hearted compare to the original Two Hearted Ale? The original Two Hearted is a 7% ABV American IPA with a clean, balanced hop profile, while Double Two Hearted pushes the same 100% Centennial hop bill into Imperial IPA territory at 11% ABV with a bigger malt body and more intense bitterness. Both share the single-hop Centennial character, but the Double version is richer, warmer, and meant for slower sipping rather than sessionable drinking.

Is Double Two Hearted good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 11% ABV and with a complex hop and malt interplay, it's designed to be savored from a tulip glass rather than consumed quickly.

Where is Double Two Hearted made? Double Two Hearted is brewed by Bell's Brewery in Comstock, Michigan, just outside Kalamazoo, where the brewery has operated since Larry Bell founded it in 1985.

What foods pair well with Double Two Hearted? Chargrilled burgers with sharp cheddar let the hops cut through the fat and cheese. Spicy buffalo wings are tamed by the malt sweetness and matched by the bitter hops. Blue cheese or aged Gouda complement the beer's caramel malt notes. Carnitas tacos with fresh cilantro and lime echo the citrus and floral hop character. Dark chocolate brownies create an unexpectedly smooth contrast with the pine and grapefruit bitterness.

What sizes does Double Two Hearted come in? Double Two Hearted is available in a 6-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format.

Is Double Two Hearted worth the price? Double Two Hearted positions as a premium craft Imperial IPA, and its pedigree — built on the same hop philosophy as the #1-ranked beer in America — places it among the strongest values in the Double IPA category for its quality and consistency.

Why Double Two Hearted?

The original Two Hearted Ale earned its reputation as a benchmark American IPA through a deceptively simple formula: one hop, one vision, and years of refinement. Double Two Hearted takes that same 100% Centennial hop identity and scales it into a bolder, more complex Imperial format without losing the clarity and balance that defined the original. Bell's specialized shallow fermentation tanks — designed to maximize hop dispersion — give the beer an aromatic intensity that many competing Double IPAs struggle to match. For drinkers who want the soul of Two Hearted with more depth, warmth, and staying power, this is the definitive next step.