Bell's Double Two Hearted Ale 4Pk

Bell's Double Two Hearted Ale 4Pk is an imperial American IPA from Bell's Brewery in Michigan, brewed and dry hopped with 100% Centennial hops at 7% ABV. This bigger, bolder sibling of Bell's Two Hearted Ale — the beer the American Homebrewers Association named Best Beer in America — doubles down on the Centennial hop intensity that made the original a modern classic.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Comstock (Kalamazoo), Michigan  |  Style: Imperial IPA  |  IBU: 55  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery, founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has built its reputation on hop-forward ales since the late 1980s. Double Two Hearted follows the same single-hop philosophy as its celebrated predecessor — 100% Centennial hops for bittering, flavoring, and dry hopping — but scales up the malt bill and hop charge for a more intense experience. The grain bill features Two-Row and Caramel malts, providing structure and sweetness to support the amplified hop load. Bell's brews Two Hearted variants in purpose-built, wide-format fermentation tanks — squashed down and shallow rather than the typical tall, narrow vessels — which allow the hops to disperse across a greater surface area during fermentation and dry hopping, measurably impacting the final flavor profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh grapefruit peel and orange citrus dominate the nose, followed by resinous pine and a gentle floral quality recalling geranium and rose. A warm caramel malt sweetness anchors the hop-forward aromatics.

Taste: The entry is juicy and citrus-laden — grapefruit, pineapple, and lemon all register immediately. By mid-palate, pine resin and light herbal bitterness build alongside a malty backbone that keeps everything grounded. The peak delivers a rich interplay between hop bitterness at 55 IBU and caramel malt sweetness, with the Centennial character shining through cleanly.

Finish: Moderately long with lingering grapefruit pith and a dry, resinous bite. A subtle malt sweetness softens the close, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Double Two Hearted

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45–50°F to let the Centennial hop aromatics fully express themselves; drinking straight from the can mutes the complex floral and citrus nose. This is a beer built to drink on its own, but its bold hop character also stands up in beer cocktails: a Michelada benefits from the grapefruit-forward profile cutting through lime and hot sauce; a Hop Shandy (half Double Two Hearted, half fresh grapefruit juice) amplifies the citrus theme into a refreshing warm-weather drink; and a Boilermaker paired alongside a pour of straight rye whiskey creates a compelling contrast between the beer's juicy hops and the whiskey's spice.

Best For

• IPA enthusiasts looking to explore an imperial take on a proven single-hop recipe
• Gifting a craft beer fan who already knows and loves the original Two Hearted Ale
• Backyard grilling sessions where bold, hoppy flavors match smoky, charred food
• Side-by-side tastings comparing standard Two Hearted against its amplified counterpart

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Two Hearted taste like? It leads with juicy grapefruit, pineapple, and lemon hop flavors, balanced by caramel malt sweetness and a moderate pine-resin bitterness. The overall impression is citrus-forward and hop-rich but not abrasively bitter.

How does Double Two Hearted compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Both are considered style-defining single-hop beers — Sierra Nevada Pale Ale showcases Cascade hops with a more restrained body, while Double Two Hearted uses 100% Centennial hops and delivers a fuller, more intensely citrus and resinous profile at a higher ABV. The comparison is often framed as Cascade defining Sierra Nevada the way Centennial defines Two Hearted.

Is Double Two Hearted good for sipping on its own? Yes — this is an IPA designed for engaged drinking, with enough hop complexity and malt depth to reward slow, deliberate pours from a proper glass.

Where is Double Two Hearted made? It is brewed by Bell's Brewery in Comstock, near Kalamazoo, Michigan, using the same purpose-built shallow fermentation tanks designed specifically for the Two Hearted line.

What foods pair well with Double Two Hearted? Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar, where the hop bitterness cuts through the fat; fish tacos with citrus slaw, echoing the beer's grapefruit notes; spicy Thai green curry, as the malt sweetness tempers the heat; aged gouda, whose caramel richness mirrors the malt backbone; and pepperoni pizza, where the resinous hops refresh the palate between bites.

What sizes does Double Two Hearted come in? The standard retail format is a 4-pack of cans, consistent with Bell's packaging for limited and seasonal releases.

Is Double Two Hearted worth the price? It positions in the premium craft IPA tier, justifiable given the single-hop purity, Bell's proprietary fermentation approach, and the pedigree of the Two Hearted name — one of the most awarded and recognized American IPAs ever brewed.

Why Double Two Hearted?

The case for this beer starts with the tanks. Bell's invested in custom shallow-format fermenters specifically because the hop dispersion they provide changes the flavor of the finished beer — a claim the brewery has confirmed through direct comparison batches. That engineering decision, combined with an unwavering commitment to 100% Centennial hops and a straightforward Two-Row and Caramel malt bill, produces an imperial IPA that feels like a natural evolution rather than a gimmick. The original Two Hearted earned a 95 on BeerAdvocate, a perfect 100 on RateBeer, and the American Homebrewers Association's Best Beer in America title. Double Two Hearted builds on that legacy with greater intensity while maintaining the clean, single-hop clarity that made the original a benchmark.