Two Brothers Brewing Company- Heavy Handed IPA (Batch 2660): Heavy Hands Or Kid Gloves?

I have to be honest and tell you that we here in Northern Illinois/Chicago Suburbs area are fortunate to have such a fantastic brewery like Two Brothers Brewing Company around.  I know, you folks in Michigan, Oregon, Montana and Colorado can throw a rock and hit any number of great breweries but I have to say that per capita we’re probably on the low side of the spectrum.  I’ll take quality over quantity any day of the week and Two Brothers is the epitome of quality.  There are very few breweries where I have truly enjoyed almost every beer they produce and Two Brothers has been one of the most consistent.  I was really excited to hear the buzz surrounding this year’s Fall seasonal version of Heavy Handed IPA.  From what I understand, they are releasing 6 different batches with each batch being brewed with a different hop.  According to the Two Brothers website, the batches are as followed: 2500 Tettenage, 2560 Willamette, 2660 Cascade and 2820 Centennial with the two other batches information yet to be released.  Lucky me scored me a 2660 Cascade version of Heavy Handed and to say the least, I’m stoked!!

Two Brothers Brewing Company classifies Heavy Handed IPA as an India Pale Ale and their website describes it as, “Heavy Handed IPA is brewed to celebrate the harvesting of the hops every year. Within moments of harvest we add freshly picked "Wet Hops" to this IPA. Since the hops have not been dried before use, they add a wonderful character found in no other beer.  A hop lovers dream.”

Heavy Handed IPA pours a dark copper/amber color with a 1 ¼” tan head.  The aroma was dominated by a prominent caramel malt scent and only a slight citrus hop smell in the background.

This is a damn good IPA.  I have to say that I was expecting more hoppiness from a beer with the name Heavy Handed IPA.  What I get up front is a ton of caramel malt sweetness that has a buttery smoothness as it goes down.  Then, low and behold a tangy hop bite appears that is all too brief then finishes both dry and crisp.  You can taste the freshness of the hops in Heavy Handed as there is a resinous feel in the body of this brew.  Good, Yes, Great, No.  Heavy Handed IPA seemed to approach my palate with kid gloves instead of a knock-out punch.  When compared against other Two Brothers brews such as Resistance IPA and their famous Hop Juice, Heavy Handed fell a bit short for me.  Now, for those of you who love and enjoy a maltier IPA, then I can tell you that you will be overjoyed with Heavy Handed IPA.  For me it’s time to hunt down the other batches to see if there is much of a variation in the hoppiness.

ABV: 6.7%

IUB: 65

Consumed: Dogfish Head Signature Glass

Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack

Two Brothers Brewing Company- Heavy Handed IPA: Give 'em a hand folks!

I decided to "Press My Luck" tonight and hope for no whammies. After having a very enjoyable beer, it was time to try and keep this review train rolling. I am still buzzing about the last great beer I had from Two Brothers Brewing Company. I was praying that Heavy Handed India Pale Ale had the same intoxicating powers.

Heavy Handed pours like a brute. It is a dark mahogany that is so impermeable one can barely see their own hand holding the other side of the glass. The aroma is to die for. A sweet fruity nectar that has a definitive cherry scent. The flavor is a dry roasted hop, intermingled with a bitter finish. I have never had a beer that tastes so much different than is smells, very unique in overall presentation.

This beer is clearly all about the hops. According to the label art, the hand is so heavy because it is supporting a bounty of fresh wet hoppy goodness. If you’re in the market for a strong, bitter, hop infused beer, this is the place to be. It is not a must try beer. It is not going to blow your mind. But, this brew is definitely a contender for the heavy weight belt amongst the hop heads around the word. If you have never had a “wet” hopped beer, this is a pretty decent place to start.

ABV: 6.7%

Consumed: Pint Glass

Verdict: Buy a Twelve Pack