Two Hearted Ale

In my search for a wedding beer I came across Two Hearted Ale several times. I think people like it for weddings because of the name, even though I believe the name refers to a fish. It did fit my criteria of being a relatively local beer, but it is way too hop forward for the sole good beer that my wedding budget allows me. Maybe I can have a few for the bridal party.

Aroma

Straight up hop right off the bat. Not really as hop forward as I had come to expect from reading about the beer. The aromas does not last very long, but I am kind of sick so my smelling ability is fishy at best.

Color

Golden yellow.  I took the picture at night, so the golden color doesn’t really come through. It has good lacing, and a small white head.

Taste

Hops are definitely the first thing you taste. They aren’t very grapefruity like a cascade or a simcoe, but there is still a hint of orange (which made sense when I looked up the beer and found it uses only Centennial hops). There is a noticeable amount of sweetness. It is crisp, but not a beer I would consider particularly refreshing. It is very bitter on the tip of the tongue which is an indicator of just how bitter it is, as most of the bitter taste buds are on the back of the tongue. I really think the overwhelming taste of this whole beer is bitter. Not warheads bitter of course, but decently bitter for an IPA. As it warms up, I strangely feel that it gets slightly less bitter, and slightly more orange flavored. And really, the bitterness does not have that aftertaste that many IPAs have.  I think this beer is growing on me the more I drink.

Mouthfeel

 It has a medium mouthfeel, with a moderate amount of carbonation. The bitterness fatigues the palette quickly.

Overall Impression.

It is very bitter, but because of that, I wouldn’t really call it refreshing. Although as the beer warms up,  the orange flavor comes out, and the 7.0% ABV kicks in. It is starting to become a very nice beer to drink while I sit in the back yard on this breezy night, with my dog chewing a stick next to me, writing blog posts. It is definitely a good beer to have one of.

Breakfast Brewpub

I was sitting at L Woods Tap and Pine Lounge drinking a 5 Rabbits Beer Blonde Ale by 5 Rabbits Cerveseria, and I had the greatest idea in the world. An idea that will change the world, that will bring back something that people have been missing for hundreds of years. The breakfast beer.

If you ever go out for breakfast, your drink options generally are coffee or juice. Once in a awhile, especially at brunch, you will get to choose a mimosa or a Bloody Mary. I’m not sure about your, but those two drinks don’t really go with much. A mimosa might go with something nice and citrusy, but not very much more. A Bloody Mary will get you through your steak and eggs, but I’m not too big of a fan of steak and eggs. No, the only drink that is versatile enough to play with the vast menagerie that is breakfast, is beer.

You want something light, maybe a few slices of melon, maybe even a fish, how about a nice wheat beer, or blonde ale.

You want a Mexican Skillet, then how about an American IPA. Still want your steak and eggs, we got an american brown.

Oh, you want a stuffed waffle, with whipped cream and strawberries on top (and maple syrup). We got lots of options. I give you the english stout or maybe a traditional tart Lambic, or Flanders Oud Bruin – brewed with or without fruit.

The problem is that the number of establishments that will cater to this match made in heaven are few and far between. That leaves us with one option. To start our own Breakfast Brewpub.