Bell's Two Hearted Ale 19.2OZ

Bell's Two Hearted Ale 19.2OZ is a 7% ABV American IPA brewed exclusively with Centennial hops, available here in a 19.2-ounce single-serve can. Named the best beer in America multiple times by the American Homebrewers Association and carrying a 95 score on BeerAdvocate from nearly 16,000 ratings, Two Hearted has earned its reputation as one of the defining American IPAs of the modern craft era.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Bell's Brewery

Production & Heritage

Bell's Brewery operates out of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where founder Larry Bell began commercial brewing in 1985, making it one of the earliest craft breweries east of the Rocky Mountains. Two Hearted Ale is built on a straightforward grain bill of two-row and caramel malts, then brewed and dry hopped with 100% Centennial hops sourced from the Pacific Northwest. That single-hop approach distinguishes it from the vast majority of American IPAs, which rely on complex hop blends; here, the Centennial variety does all the heavy lifting, delivering a layered but cohesive hop character without competing botanical signals. The 19.2-ounce format — sometimes called a stovepipe can — provides a generous single serving that stays cold longer than a standard 12-ounce pour.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine resin and fresh grapefruit zest hit first, followed by lighter floral and herbal tones. Underneath the hops, a gentle caramel malt sweetness rounds out the nose without competing for attention.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-forward — grapefruit, lemon, and a flash of pineapple — before the mid-palate shifts toward resinous pine and toasted bread. A moderate bitterness builds steadily, balanced by just enough caramel malt sweetness and a hint of stone fruit to keep the beer from leaning austere.

Finish: Clean, dry, and moderately bitter with lingering grapefruit pith and earthy hop notes. The finish is refreshingly crisp, encouraging the next sip rather than fatiguing the palate.

How to Drink Two Hearted Ale

Pour it into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45–50°F to let the Centennial hop aromatics open up fully; drinking straight from the can mutes half the experience. Two Hearted also holds its own as a beer cocktail base: try a Michelada riff with hot sauce, lime, and Worcestershire, where the grapefruit bitterness amplifies the spice; a Shandy with fresh lemonade for a lighter warm-weather drink that plays off the citrus hops; or a Boilermaker alongside a pour of bourbon, where the caramel malt and pine complement charred oak and vanilla.

Best For

• Bringing a respected IPA to a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Introducing someone to what a single-hop American IPA can achieve
• Pairing with grilled or smoked meats where hop bitterness cuts through fat
• Stocking a camping cooler with a high-quality, durable single-serve format

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Two Hearted Ale taste like? Two Hearted Ale delivers bold grapefruit, pine, and lemon hop flavors balanced by a toasted caramel malt backbone, finishing clean and dry with moderate bitterness.

How does Two Hearted Ale compare to Pliny the Elder? Both consistently top American IPA rankings, but Two Hearted uses only Centennial hops at 7% ABV while Russian River's Pliny the Elder is a double IPA at 8% ABV that blends multiple hop varieties for a more intense, lupulin-heavy profile. Two Hearted is generally easier to find year-round and arrives at a lower price point, making it a more accessible everyday IPA.

Is Two Hearted Ale good for IPA beginners? Its balanced malt sweetness and clean bitterness make it an excellent gateway IPA — assertive enough to be authentic to the style yet not so aggressively hopped that it overwhelms an unfamiliar palate.

Where is Two Hearted Ale made? Two Hearted Ale is brewed by Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, one of the oldest craft breweries in the Midwest, founded in 1985.

What foods pair well with Two Hearted Ale? Grilled burgers benefit from the hop bitterness cutting through the char and fat. Spicy tacos al pastor play well against the grapefruit and pine notes. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda echo the caramel malt while standing up to the bitterness. Fish and chips gain a citrus lift that replaces the usual lemon wedge. Pepperoni pizza matches the beer's resinous hops with salty, fatty toppings.

What sizes does Two Hearted Ale come in? Bell's Two Hearted Ale is widely available in 12-ounce bottles and cans (including six-packs and twelve-packs), the 19.2-ounce single-serve stovepipe can listed here, and occasionally in draft format.

Is Two Hearted Ale worth the price? Two Hearted positions as a premium craft IPA that regularly outperforms beers at higher price points in blind tastings and critical rankings, making it one of the strongest values in the American IPA category.

Why Two Hearted Ale?

The single-hop commitment is what separates Two Hearted from the crowded IPA field. Where most brewers layer three, four, or five hop varieties to build complexity, Bell's trusts Centennial alone to deliver the full spectrum of pine, citrus, and floral character — and 95 points on BeerAdvocate from nearly 16,000 reviews confirms that bet pays off. Repeated recognition as America's best beer by the American Homebrewers Association further cements its standing not as a trend-chasing release but as a benchmark that has held up for years. The 19.2-ounce can format puts a full pint-plus in a single portable vessel, making it as practical for outdoor drinking as it is satisfying at home.