Two Hearted Ale clone recipe
Two Hearted Ale is a 100% Centennial-hopped IPA from Bell's Brewery in Michigan. Named after the Two Hearted River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, it's one of the most-awarded IPAs in American craft history. Voted #1 by Zymurgy magazine readers multiple years running. The all-Centennial bill makes it a template for understanding what that single variety can do.
About this beer
Two Hearted is balanced — the kind of IPA you can drink for a whole evening. Centennial gives bright grapefruit and citrus, with a touch of resinous pine. The malt is a touch more present than Stone IPA or modern West Coast IPAs, but never sweet. Just enough crystal to round the edges. Bell's has steadily refused to make this beer 'more extreme' over the decades, which is partly why it remains so loved.
Grain bill (5-gallon batch)
| Grain | Weight | % | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-row pale malt | 12 lb | 90% | Standard 2-row base. |
| Caramel/Crystal 40L | 1.3 lb | 10% | Light caramel sweetness that supports the hop balance — more crystal than Stone IPA, less than SNPA. |
Hop schedule
| Hop | Amount | When | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial | 1.0 oz | 60 min boil | Bittering — yes, with Centennial. It's the all-Centennial signature. |
| Centennial | 0.5 oz | 30 min boil | Flavor |
| Centennial | 1.0 oz | 10 min boil | Late flavor + aroma |
| Centennial | 1.0 oz | Flameout / whirlpool | Aroma |
| Centennial | 1.5 oz | Dry hop · 7 days | Aroma |
Yeast
Bell's House Yeast (similar to Wyeast 1272 American Ale II) / Wyeast 1056
Bell's house yeast is slightly fruitier than Chico — gives a touch more character. WY1272 is the closest commercial match. Ferment at 66-68°F.
Water profile
Moderate. Target ~120 ppm sulfate, ~60 ppm chloride — slightly less aggressive than Stone IPA, supports the more balanced profile.
Process notes
- Mash at 152°F — balanced body
- All-Centennial means you taste the variety in pure form — use fresh Centennial whole cone or T90 pellets
- Single 7-day dry hop charge
- Carbonate to 2.4-2.5 volumes
- Bell's emphasizes drinking within 90 days of canning — Two Hearted holds up better than Stone IPA but still has a window
Why it tastes like that
The interesting part of a clone recipe is understanding why each ingredient choice matters. Here's what each element of the recipe contributes:
- 100% Centennial lets you taste the variety unmuddled. Centennial reads as a brighter, more citrus-forward cousin of Cascade — pink grapefruit, lemon zest, light pine.
- Bell's house yeast is slightly more characterful than Chico — adds a subtle fruity note that complements the Centennial.
- Moderate crystal (10%) gives a fuller body than Stone IPA — Two Hearted feels rounder, more drinkable.
- Balanced water profile (120 ppm sulfate) — not as aggressive as Stone IPA's 200 ppm. The result feels softer.
- Lower IBU (55 vs Stone's 71) — Two Hearted aims for drinkability over impact.
Sources & references
- Bell's Brewery — Two Hearted Ale bellsbeer.com
- BYO: Two Hearted Ale clone byo.com