Founders Pale Ale - Founders Brewing Company

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a golden amber - cloudy - with a bubbly white head.

Smells of citrus lemon and grapefruit, some bready malt and slight floral bouquet.

Big grapefruit - sweet and bitter - up front, followed by a chewy bread, malt middle. Finishes dry with floral notes and bitter herb. A delicious pale ale with more character than most that I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 00:18:24 | More by Chickenhawk9932

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Orange/light amber colored body with some floaters in it. Mostly transparent with a thin white head that leaves a ring of bubbles.

S- Fruity hop aroma with citrus and apricot coming through. Sweet malts comes in the form of some bready notes.

T- Nice mix of sweet malt and those fruity flavors in the nose. Very little pine, but the citrus in the hops comes through. Nice balance of malt and fruity hops.

M- Medium bodied, medium to high carbonation with a crisp feel.

O- Nice, solid pale ale. The fruity hop flavors make this one different.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 19:21:03 | More by stephenjmoore

sevenarts

New York

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Light golden orange with good carbonation. Medium-sized white head that reduces to a small skim on the surface.

S: Surprisingly strong for the style: a nice whiff of grapefruit and citrus hops, caramel malt, and some grainy, malty aromas.

T/M: A good amount of flavor without being unbalanced. Sweet and malty up front, with caramel and doughy grains. This is followed by some robust hops, primarily with a nice citrus edge, and a good hit of bitterness on the way down.

O: An excellent pale ale with some well-crafted flavors without verging into IPA territory at all. Well balanced between the malt base and more hop flavor than you'd expect from the low ABV and low IBU count.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 23:44:15 | More by sevenarts

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass.

Very light yellow/gold in color, a finger of white head thins out pretty quickly; some lacing. Looks ok.

Smell is pretty subdued. Natural grass aromas, slight hint of hops and malt.

Taste is similar, nothing special but light and refreshing. Not terribly complex.

Mouthfeel is average with medium carbonation and slightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall ok for the style but I've had better Pale Ales. Not my favorite offering from Founders.

Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2012 22:15:00 | More by rodlavers

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle wad poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: The beer poured a small head that reduced to a thin layer and left some nice lacing on the glass. It is a pale orange color with some haziness and visions of bubbles and floaties. There is also some sediment in the bottom of the glass.

Smell and taste: toasted, bready, and caramel. Faint citrus aroma. The taste is a bit better, but still a bit weak.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, low to medium carbonation, medium bodied, and easy to drink.

Overall: Kind of a bit disappointed about this beer. A very light pale ale with little hop characteristics. Not sure what happened here, but wouldn't mind trying it out on draft.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 04:12:24 | More by Flounder57

Winston_Smith

Kentucky

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

In a six pack, several bottles had different "bottled on" dates. Max range was a month apart. Didn't seem like a great sign to me, but I've heard nothing but great things about the brewery, and tried it anyway. This last one I saved for the review was bottled on 6/18/12.

Apperance: This pale ale is a really nice beer to look at, despite the little/no head. Orange-ish, and unfiltered-looking, it looks really tasty near a light.

Smell: Light citrusy goodness. Nose has hops too.

Taste: This beer is like an IPA-light. I haven't bothered googling what "dry hopped" is supposed to mean, but as an IPA fan, I get a sense that in this context it means "a hoppier pale ale." A hoppier pale ale it is. The hops dominate, but there's some discernible citrus in there too.

Mouthfeel: Feels thick and full-bodied. There's a little bit of slickness to it, which isn't terrible, and it finishes with a dry aftertaste. Very pleasant.

Overall: Dig it. My first sample from Founders Brewery is a success. I will buy another of their products. I thought this stuff might be a decent bridge beer for BMC drinkers into better stuff, but it might be kind of hoppy for that. Fans of real beer will enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 23:55:54 | More by Winston_Smith

albertjr21

New York

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled on 5/21/12 and poured into a pint glass on 12/1/12. A hazy dirty yellow gold lurks under an off-white head. Aroma of earthy zesty citrus comes through in the nose. Blended pungent citrus rind headlines the flavor to a crisply carbonated mouth feel. An overall easy going, brightly hopped, and full bodied American pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 22:13:06 | More by albertjr21

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from the brewery, 12oz into a tulip. Bottled on date is smudged off.

Unfiltered orange body, with a fluffy off white head. Sticky webbed lace and good retention. Nose is piney, grassy, slightly dank, orange and grapefruit. A bit of sweet malt, but subtle. Taste has grass, orange, grapefruit and general bitter citrus zest flavours upfront, slight spicy and earthy hop on the back end. Light crackers pale malt as well forms a base. Medium bitterness and medium light body, adequate lower med carbonation. A tasty standard pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 22:58:08 | More by liamt07

Solo_jeff

3.03/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a light orange and cloudy copper color. A bit thin on the head that did not even reach 1 finger in thickness. I am not an super IPA/pale ale fan but even I was looking for more intense aromatics on this one. What aromatics are there do offer pleasing notes of citrus, clove and tangerine. Good a bit light on carbonation this beer is incredible smooth and easy to drink. For that reason I probably would not turn down having this one again though I don't think I would seek it out again as a must have.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 02:14:20 | More by Solo_jeff

kojevergas

California

3.3/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

$2.29 at Four Firkins. 5.4% ABV confirmed. 35 IBU. 12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Bell's pilsner glass in me sister's gaff in low altitude Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reviewed live. Expectations are quite high given the brewery.

Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated. Served almost straight from the refrigerator.

A: Pours a one finger beige colour head, somewhat more thin than expected, with decent cream and retention. Colour is a nontransparent copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Floral hops and clean malts. Wheat? A light aroma. Too light for me broken nose to detect distinct notes.

T: Evocative floral hops. Full-bodied pleasant clean malts. Surprisingly simple considering the brewery. A bit grassy, with hints of citrus. Tropical fruits, tangerine. Tasty but limited by its simplicity. Not horribly subtle, either.

Mf: Smooth, wet, and pleasantly crisp. Good carbonation. Overly thick for the lack of complex flavour. Appropriate for the style, but not tailored to the flavour profile.

Dr: A solid drinkable pale ale, but not up to par for a brewery as renowned as Founder's. I'd try it on draught, but it's not a great beer. Well priced in Minnesota. Hides its ABV well.

Low B-

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 22:06:09 | More by kojevergas

BigCheese

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Dad bought a sixer for thanksgiving, good call.

A: Pours a clear copper amber. Kind of disappointing head. No real lacing.

S: MMM, Fresh Grapefruit/piney hops. Theyre not lying about dry hopped. For the style great.

T: Fresh hops right of the bat. Some grapefruit, pine cones, hop resin flavors. Some caramel, honey, and oaky malts in backbone. Pretty hop forward. Drinks almost like an west coast ipa but without the bitter bite. A bit of floral lemon earthy hops too. I'm guessing Centenial, my favorite hop.

M: Medium carbonation, considering ABV style body is medium, sessionable. Slightly oily/resionous from hops, thats rare in Pale Ale. Could be a bit creamier.

O: One of the hoppiest and most flavorful Pale Ales I've ever had. As good aroma as the best IPAs out there. Surprised by this one, try it.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 03:08:36 | More by BigCheese

chubby2u

New York

3.18/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Very thick, frothy, white head when poured. It settles to about a 1/4 inch. Beer is golden orangish and kind of cloudy.

S- Good smell. Crisp and citrus. Some bready yeast.

T- Mild hops bitterness. I taste some ginger, citrus and yeast. The malts are sweet and caramel. Much more watery than I expected.

F- Very weak carbonation. It smells better than it tastes. The hops are mild and leave your tounge quickly and you are left with a sweet film in your mouth.

O- I might buy this Pale Ale again if I am short on other option but I won't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 02:09:35 | More by chubby2u

JustinAniello

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a hazy golden dtraw colored with a three finger foamy head. Dissipates to a nice cap and sticky lacing.

S - Yeast and sweet breadiness take up the majority of the nose, with light citrus and nut notes taking up the background.

T - Sweet caramel sticking throughout, piney hops with a mild bitterness in the aftertaste.

M - Medium body and carbonation. Thicker without being syrupy.

O - Pretty good pale ale. Nice aroma and flavor but could use a little more depth. Would have again, especially when it is warmer out.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 01:31:29 | More by JustinAniello

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams pint glass. Purchased at Wakefield Liquors in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

A- Pours a slightly hazy, golden orange with a fluffy white big 2" head that reduces to chunks of white foam and leaves some sticky lacing.

S- Floral and somewhat soapy. Sweet malt characteristics.

T- Starts with a citrus, light dry grapefruit mango flavor. Ends with an every so slightly hoppy finish.

M- High carbonation, very crisp thinnish body.

Overall, this was an enjoyable pale ale. Fruity and crisp, I could see myself drinking one of these on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 02:14:15 | More by gcamparone

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pale amber with a little head and no carbs. Looks rather boring and flat.
For a beer thats dry hopped, according to the label, you wouldn't know it for it lacks really any kind of hop aroma. Malts are sweet and so are the husks.
Taste is better thenn the aroma. Pretty balanced with a slight hop taste and caramel malts.
Founders I know makes good beers thats why I'm disappointed with this one. Bottle dated
6/18/12 so it's not old.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 12:45:55 | More by micromaniac129

Durge

Connecticut

3.85/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Found at the Great Lost Bear in Portland, Maine this pale ale is a hazy yellowish amber color with a delicate but steady white fuzz on top and copious lacing. I can smell iced tea lemon with a faint hint of pine. Pleasant for a pale ale. The flavor offers much more hop bite than anticipated with a cracked wheat explosion of dry citrus and grass hops. It really roughs up the center of your tongue with crisp, slightly angry bitterness while tagging along a bit of grain sensibilities. I expect most would say that this is a bit harsh for a pale ale and could probably use some balance toward the malt and grain side, but I'm not complaining. Leafy, perhaps a bit oaky, this stuff is medium-light bodied, very fine but highly effective carbonation for a completely titillating feel with a bit of an aqueous quality. Not sure I'd want to session this pale ale, it's not Sierra Nevada, but bravo for the hop love in a pale ale!

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2012 04:14:42 | More by Durge

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Founders Pale Ale
Founders Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
ABV: 5.40 %

LOOK: Pale orange colored brew, white head forms and leaves plenty of lace. Perfectly clear, looks like a good pale ale.

SMELL: Resinous hops, with some tea, herb, pine and grapefruit notes. Bready pale malts lend some sweet caramel character.

TASTE: Bitter citrusy hops and some caramel. Pine, earth, and herb notes definitely dry hopped tasting. Malt body is bready and semi sweet, there is a caramel malt backbone with a little toffee. Drinks like a nice, hop focused pale.

FEEL: Medium bodied, well carbonated, bitter with a hop bite. Drinks easily, and would pair well with alot of spicy to savory foods.

OVERALL: An impressive pale ale from Founders, a Michigan based brewery that does not disappoint. This fine specimen of a dry hopped pale ale is exemplary on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 21:34:57 | More by Stinkypuss

patpbr

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dry hopped pale ale. cloudy, orange and red shades. While there's not a lot in the smell, it's easy to drink With some piney and floral elements. I found it to be crisp and a good pale ale. Not my first choice but it is good. Good beer and pizza choice.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 02:32:21 | More by patpbr

FLima

Brazil

3.48/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Cloudy ambar appereance. Light aroma, highlights its floral hops.
Well carbonated. Tastes bitter with some sweetness from grains. Hints of citrus make it refreshing. Light body makes it an easier APA to drink (who already overcome bitterness), good for beginners or who wants to drink several of it. Though not for someone who is looking for one notch down IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 00:29:22 | More by FLima

Mojo

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This offering from Founders pours up a hazy gold with a two finger off white head, some retention, and some lacing. Smell is citrus, pine, grasses, and maybe some floral notes. Mouthfeel is full with lots of carbonation. Taste is sweet on the front, well balanced with bitterness on the finish and a coffee aftertaste. Definitely worth a try if you haven't had this one yet.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 03:28:51 | More by Mojo

pjmitch

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I was looking to try a new pale ale and was suggested by a salesperson to give this a try once I indicated to him what I liked. Thought this was okay but am still looking for something sold in the Midwest that is as good as DesChutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale. Any idea if Mirror Pond will be available in Chicagoland someday?

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 03:02:36 | More by pjmitch

yesyouam

New York

4.23/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Founders Pale Ale is a sparkling, hazy, golden ale with a soft, foamy, off white head that leaves some lacing. There are piny, floral hops in the nose, along with dry, light grain. The soft, medium body has a crisp, acidic finish. Juicy, resiny, fruity hop flavor is backed with a solid grain. It's bright and top heavy with bitterness. It's very American. It's bold, refreshing and very tasty!

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 17:23:57 | More by yesyouam

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.61/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours and golden orange color. Two fingers of bright white head that subsided to a thin layer that maintained throughout. Good webbing.

S - Floral and hoppy. Hints is citrus. Not overbearing by any means.

T - Nicely balanced and subdued pale ale. Easy drinking PA - this is what the all day IPA should taste like. This is light bodied with a nice balance of hops with a distant sweet finish.

O - Solid APA - could make this a session brew. Also, this is an all year round brew - very versatile.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 02:02:34 | More by andrewjraab

tdm168

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - dark orangish gold with a thin, soft, white head that has good retention

S - lightly malty, faintly floral, faintly herbal

T - light pine, light cereal grains, faint herbal finish

M - medium bodied, well carbonated, crisp

This is decently hoppy but all of the flavors are very faint. The herbal, floral, piney notes come through, but the malt doesn't balance it out. This was good once, but I won't pickk it up again.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 01:36:25 | More by tdm168

Cavanaghty

Maine

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Golden color with a thin white head and no lacing on the glass.

Smell: Citrus and hops.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Smooth medium to light bodied. Taste is citrus and dry, well balanced flavor.

Overall: Great beer, I will enjoy this six pack for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 00:38:10 | More by Cavanaghty