Bell's Brewery Change of Heart Pale Ale

Beer Name: Change of Heart
Brewery: Bell's Brewery (Comstock, MI; Kalamazoo, MI)
ABV: 5.5%

How sold: 12 oz cans in Bell's Hearted Variety Packs.

Where bought: Whole Foods (Honolulu, HI)
Price: $20.99 for 12-pack of 12 oz cans (Variety Pack)

Date Bought: September 7, 2024

Date Drank: November 2, 2024

"Best By" Date: December 8, 2024

When brewed/released? Possibly a limited-time or rotational beer.

What's on the Website: "Pale Ale with aromas of pine, grainy, citrus, and stone fruit. Slight sweetness. Light-medium bodied.

Have a Change of Heart? Tell us about it. This series evolves with our brewers’ vision for the future. Exclusive? Yes. Experimental? Yes. But it could change your heart, for the good."

Where distributed: As of 2024, Bell's Brewery ships to several states. In Hawaii, it might be unlikely, but I saw this at the Kahala Mall Whole Foods. In 2021, founder Larry Bell sold the company to Lion.

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Pours clear dark golden into a pint glass. White head, virtually no lacing. 4.25/5

Smell (25%): Pleasing citrus, pine, and stone fruit notes. 4/5

Taste (40%): More diluted than the nose. Very light citrus, pine, and stone fruit throughout. Just a touch of the citrus on the aftertaste. Moderate bitterness consistent with a pale ale. While just a pale ale, I wish this one had more flavor. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Medium-light bodied, some carbonation. Some dry tongue. 4.25/5

Overall (20%): A good Pale Ale. The last of three IPAs from Bell's that I've never had before, Change of Heart may be ideal as that summer pale ale on a sunny day. But this also reinforces my preference for IPAs, namely the assertive citrusy ones. I'm still glad I tried Change of Heart just for the experience. 3.75/5

Final Weighted Rating: 3.788/5