Bell’s Big Hearted IPA 19.2OZ

Bell’s Big Hearted IPA 19.2OZ is a 9.5% ABV Imperial IPA from Bell’s Brewing in Michigan, sold in a single-serve 19.2-ounce stovepipe can. As the highest-ABV entry in the acclaimed Hearted IPA family, Big Hearted stands as Bell’s first year-round Imperial IPA a bigger, bolder sibling to the legendary Two Hearted Ale.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5% | Origin: Michigan, USA | Style: Imperial IPA | Brewery: Bell’s Brewing

Production & Heritage

Bell’s Brewing, founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1985 by Larry Bell, is one of the original craft breweries in the Midwest and now operates under the New Belgium / Kirin umbrella. Big Hearted IPA was developed to honor the Two Hearted legacy while pushing the intensity dial higher taking the Centennial hop character and amplifying it alongside a substantially richer malt bill. The result is Bell’s boldest year-round IPA, dry-hopped during fermentation to extract maximum aromatic complexity while keeping bitterness in check relative to the considerable 9.5% alcohol.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe grapefruit and tangerine peel, followed by layers of pine resin, mixed berry, and lighter melon. Beneath the hops, a warm sweetness of toasted caramel and floral honey rounds out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is surprisingly smooth given the ABV, leading with juicy citrus orange and grapefruit before a sturdy malt backbone of caramel and toffee takes hold at mid-palate. Pine and berry hop flavors build through the peak, balanced by a restrained bitterness that lets the malt sweetness carry weight without becoming cloying.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with lingering pine resin, dried citrus peel, and a gentle alcoholic heat that reminds you of the strength. A light toffee sweetness persists through the close.

How to Drink Big Hearted IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at 4550F to let the hop aromatics open up while keeping the malt richness in focus. The 19.2-ounce format is ideal for sharing or a slow solo session. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try a Citrus Shandy blending Big Hearted with fresh lemonade, where the pine and grapefruit hops amplify the citrus; a Beer-a-Rita with lime juice and a salted rim, where the malt backbone stands up to the acidity; or a Hop Drop (a boilermaker paired with a pour of bourbon), where the caramel and toffee notes in the beer complement barrel-aged whiskey.

Best For

• Hop lovers looking to explore a bigger, more complex take on the Two Hearted tradition
• Backyard cookouts and tailgates where a single 19.2oz can replaces a pint-and-a-half
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who already knows and loves Bell’s lineup
• Late-evening sipping sessions when you want one bold, slow-drinking beer instead of several lighter ones

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Big Hearted IPA taste like? Big Hearted IPA leads with juicy grapefruit, orange, and pine hop flavors layered over a rich caramel and toffee malt backbone. The 9.5% ABV adds a gentle warmth without overshadowing the balanced bitterness and fruity hop character.

How does Big Hearted IPA compare to Two Hearted Ale? Two Hearted Ale is a 7% ABV American IPA with a cleaner, more focused Centennial hop profile, while Big Hearted ramps up to 9.5% ABV with a noticeably heavier malt body featuring caramel and toffee sweetness alongside amplified hop intensity. Think of Big Hearted as the Imperial-strength evolution of the same hop-forward DNA.

Is Big Hearted IPA good for sipping? Yes the rich malt complexity and warming alcohol make it well-suited to slower, more deliberate drinking, especially when poured into a glass at cellar temperature to fully appreciate the layered aromatics.

Where is Big Hearted IPA made? Big Hearted IPA is brewed by Bell’s Brewing in Michigan, one of the oldest and most recognized craft breweries in the United States, founded in Kalamazoo in 1985.

What foods pair well with Big Hearted IPA? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the hop bitterness cuts through fatty richness; sharp aged cheddar, which mirrors the beer’s caramel malt notes; spicy buffalo wings, balanced by the malt sweetness; grilled citrus-glazed salmon, which echoes the grapefruit and orange hop character; and dark chocolate brownies, where the toffee backbone and subtle alcohol warmth complement cocoa bitterness.

What sizes does Big Hearted IPA come in? Big Hearted IPA is widely available in the 19.2-ounce single-serve stovepipe can, and is also found in standard six-pack 12-ounce cans depending on market availability.

Is Big Hearted IPA worth the price? Big Hearted positions as a premium craft Imperial IPA, and the 19.2-ounce format delivers more volume per can than a standard tallboy while carrying genuine complexity that rewards attention strong value within the Imperial IPA tier from a brewery with decades of credibility.

Why Big Hearted IPA?

Bell’s built its reputation on Two Hearted Ale, consistently ranked among the best IPAs in America, and Big Hearted represents the logical next step: an Imperial-strength expression that carries the Hearted family’s Centennial hop identity into bigger, more rewarding territory. At 9.5% ABV, it is the strongest year-round IPA Bell’s has ever released, yet it avoids the boozy harshness that plagues many Imperial IPAs thanks to a carefully built caramel and toffee malt foundation. The 19.2-ounce stovepipe can format makes it a practical single-serve option for those who want one satisfying beer rather than multiple pours. With over 22,000 ratings on Untappd averaging 3.9 out of 5, Big Hearted has quickly earned a loyal following among hop-forward beer drinkers seeking depth and drinkability at higher proof.