Bell's Two Hearted Ale

Sunday's suck without football, right? Luckily the Celtics - Heat game is on, so the afternoon wasn't a totally lost cause. It was a bit of a slow week for GULP! thanks to life priorities. However, today will bring two, maybe three reviews. Gotta catch up for lost time! So let's get to it.

First up today is Bell's Two Hearted Ale. One of the first GULP! reviews was another Bell's product, Hopslam, a double IPA. Hopslam is one of Bell's seasonal beers, and is arguably one of their most popular brews. Today's review, Two Hearted Ale, is one of their 8 year round beers, and is of the (single) IPA configuration.  

Pour before you GULP! Like 99.9% of the beers reviewed by GULP! Two Hearted was poured from a bottle into a glass. It unleashed a great dark gold color with a solid foamy head. The color actually reminded me of a 'not to be named' macro brewery product. I'll give you a guess though, it rhymes with 'studwiser'. Thankfully it doesn't taste like it...

GULP! It Up! IPA's are quickly becoming a more personal favorite for me, over amber lagers, thanks to the standard calling card: hoppy bitterness and floral scents. Two Hearted does not disappoint when it comes to that. The bottle lets you know that you're in for a 'crisp finish' and 'an incredibly floral hop aroma'. They weren't kidding. In fact, Two Hearted is a very drinkable IPA. It does have the aforementioned bitterness, but it goes down very smooth with a crisp, malty backbone. For those not used to beers with a higher alcohol content, here is your warning: 7% ABV. Not 'too' high, but it certainly isn't the general average of 4.5%-6%. Not sure what the deal is with the fish though... 

Grade the GULP! I am very pleased with this offering from Bell's. Crisp, hoppy, malty, and floral; it's just what you'd expect for a really good IPA. I feel very good about giving Bell's Two Hearted Ale a solid 9. Yes, matching last weeks high for Terrapin Wake'N'Bake Chocolate Oatmeal stout. I've been fortunate to have some pretty good beers lately, as the grades show. So, don't be scurred, give Bell's Two Hearted Ale a try! If you don't like IPA's, at least give this one a shot; and if you don't like it, well.... 

Bell's Hopslam Ale

So, tonight will be the first actual beer review featured on GULP! Hopslam by Bell's Brewery, out of Comstock, Michigan, is the latest buzz online. In fact, on Beer Advocate, there are almost 2000 reviews of this baby. I bought it at the local Total Wine store, of course, and was pleased that for the most part, they had a pretty good number of the single bottles, especially considering all the hype it was getting. So, I was pretty excited about the whole thing; also because it's the first Double IPA I'll have tried. But, I'm jabbering, so without further adieu, let's do this thing.

Holy mother of hops. If you don't like hoppy ale's or IPA's, this beer is NOT for you. There are a few emergency signs of what you will experience with this Hulk Hogan of a Double IPA. First off, the name is Hopslam, and wow, this baby is hoppy! The back label warns you with: "a biting, bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale. With a name like Hopslam, what did you expect?" That, slogan, we'll call it, is pretty close, but don't expect to fall off your chair calling 911. However, it does measure up to 10% ABV, so make sure you have some grub beforehand.

Hopslam pours a beautiful golden honey orange with a decent sized head. The aroma is intense, full of hops, honey, and citrusy fruit. On the way down, you'll notice a creamy texture, and you will get a hoppy aftertaste. Overall, it is really tasty, and quite drinkable. For some reason, it puts me in the mood for some vanilla ice cream. I can't figure out why, maybe because I was craving some beforehand... perhaps I thought it would go well together. I'll have to think some more about that. Vanilla Hopslam. You listening Bell's people?

Now, at the request of a friend of mine, I'm going to provide ratings for the brews at the conclusion of the write up. That being said, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'll give Hopslam a 9. It's very drinkable, nice to look at, and full of flavor. So, go out to your local package store, such as Total Wine (plug) and buy yourself the beer that could possibly be  a finishing move in the WWE - HOPSLAM BROTHER!!

What's on Tap for GULP!

What's up party people. It's Monday, a new week, and less than 14 days until the most anticipated sporting event of 2011... at least until the next most anticipated sporting event of 2011. Thanks for coming back to the site. I've spent a bit of cash money lately on brews that I'd like to try, and of course share with you, my faithful, loyal, readers. That being said, the picture above will give you a sample of what's on tap here for GULP! in the near future. They aren't in any particular order, but I will say that I plan on starting with Hopslam from Bell's. Hopslam has been getting a lot of airplay online lately, but I'm not going to say anymore because then my eventual review will be skeletal. Anyway, you may recognize some of the selections, such as the Terrapin Hopsecutioner, some you may not, such as the Lobstah' Ale. Either way, prepare to be bombarded with information as I plow through these bottles of fun over the next couple weeks.

On a side note, please "follow me" and tell your friends. We're going to have some fun going through this journey together, so the more the merrier. Plus, I could use some more friends (no offense real friends).

Be responsible!

Steve