Founders Centennial IPA - Founders Brewing Company

obrike

Texas

4.31/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was quite surprised to see this six pack in the beer aisle at HEB in Round Rock...scooped up a sixer with a grin on my face.

Nice copper color, good clarity, a head that fades quickly but leaves some decent streaks of lace. Smell is of uber fresh flora and ctirusl hops with a light note of sweet/spicey malt.

Taste follows scent...really good combo of hops and malt here...the aftertaste is quite different than a typical hoppy IPA...really enjoying collaboration of flavors in this...citrus, grassy hops, sweet caramel, and spices. Goes down like butta and I'm finding it quite difficult not to chug....always a good sign.

I gotta say, this is a kick butt IPA. So glad to have it in Texas.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 01:51:09 | More by obrike

da_beers

Vermont

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Have seen it on the shelf for months, and never tried. My best bud picked up a sixer for dinner tonight and we were both pleasantly surprised!

A - For being unfiltered, this was quite a clear beer. Poured a nice amber copper color, a deepness to it was beautiful. White, foamy finger of head. Good carbonation.

S - Smelled of sweet malts and hops. Grassy and earth tones abundant. This was a very earthy, fresh, grassy smelling IPA, just what I like.

T - Starts out with a mildly sweet malt, quickly punched out by the hops. The Centennial hops are beautifully balanced with the ever so distant citrus kick at the end.

M - Medium bodied, great drinkability. This beer went down smooth, and was never overwhelming.

O - Another good brew by Founders, this one is easily found, and makes a great go-to brew, perfect for hot summer days!

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 01:58:14 | More by da_beers

Siriusfisherman

Montana

4.26/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

L: Fairly hazy golden amber with an creamy white head and excellent lacing.

A: Big floral, citrus hops, with some grassy notes and an ample sweet, biscuit malt backbone. Some fruity esters are evident, as well as a slight amount of yeastiness.

T/M: Medium bitterness upfront, moves into some big floral, grapefruit rind hop flavor. Balanced very well by a substantial toasty/crackery malt backbone, touch of caramel sweetness. Full mouthfeel for the style, but still dry, likely a good amount of dextrine malt used. Clean finish, with a touch of yeast and some punchy alcohol notes.

Overall, a big flavored mid-country IPA, showcasing all Centennial hops. Very well balanced, big mouthfeel, but does not skimp on the hop flavor. This is my new standard for a great IPA, anything better than this is truly exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 02:44:06 | More by Siriusfisherman

IdeaSpeeder

Ontario (Canada)

4.36/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Serving Type - 355ml bottle, poured into a small pint glass

Appearance - Pours with about a funger of head, which quickly disappears. A moderate amount of lacing is left behind. The brew is cloudy and golden copper colour.

Smell - Whoa. Grass immediately. Very, very grassy...and floral. Followed by sweet citrus notes. Grapefruit perhaps? There is also some decent caramel malt smells coming through.

Taste - Toasted malts. The caramel flavour that was present in the aroma is here. The grassy hops (centennial presumably) are not as crazy-overpowering as I expected given the nose but they're still there, and in a big way. Brew is seriously bitter. Fantastic.

Mouthfeel - Medium body. Nothing special really. Carbonation is also medium. Not obtrusive, but its there.

Overall - 4/5

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:08:13 | More by IdeaSpeeder

jhamp9

Texas

4.16/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Clear orange with a bigg off-white head that lasts. Nice lacing.

Aroma is sweet juicy peach and citrus. There's some toffee and a faint spiciness.

Taste is sweet citrus initially that goes into a nice caramel sweetness with a pine and grapefruit finish. Subtle bitterness with a nice malt balance. Lasting pine aftertaste.

Medium body with soft carbonation. Dries out in the finish.

Great beer overall. Great balance. Really easy easy to drink. Happy to have it in Texas.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 21:03:30 | More by jhamp9

JMad

Texas

4.54/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a dark golden orange color with a thin filmy off white head. It smells pretty amazing, i picked up a sweet candy like caramel flavor With a bouquet of fruity and floral hop aroma. Nice bitter hop flavor with fruit and citrus with more caramel in the background and a grapefruit peel finish. The beer is medium bodied with velvety carbonation and a smooth finish. This is an exceptional ipa, there is nothing bad to say about this brew. It's nice and balanced and hides the abv very well.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 02:36:33 | More by JMad

Chris_Mac

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a beautiful, wondrous, deep, strong copper. Soft white head fades quickly. Hops and malts up front, with mild bitter and alcohol taste coming in at the of sip. Very easy to drink, with mild carbonation. Smell and taste fit perfectly, and pushes the overall experience to a new level.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 23:03:12 | More by Chris_Mac

ktblue22

Vermont

4.31/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Very very delicious, palatable as well as complex. Pours a beautiful red-brown with a real good head. This bottle I'm drinking now is not the most fresh (about 4 months old) but I still find it as enjoyable as other fresher ones that I've had.

Nose - Not a lot of hop aroma, getting more of a tart sweetness

Taste- well balanced centennial hops, really well crafted. Hops build as you drink it, but they are never overwhelming.

Mouthfeel - very very nice, moist and medium bodied. Doesn't leave the palate dry at all. Only a want for more.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 07:12:20 | More by ktblue22

ElijahRivera

New York

4.36/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Bottle with no visible date acquired at Oliver's in Albany, NY.
A- Big, impressive, frothy, egg nog colored head. As I typed(and checked the weather), the head died down to a little less than one finger, and started a think lacing pattern. The beer itself is a dark, hazy and just barely transparent copper hue. Nice lacing all the way down the glass as I drank.

S- As I poured, I got a big whiff of ethanol and spices reminiscent of spiced rum. Upon closer examination, I can positively state that this smells like beer. A nicely balanced IPA to be a little less vague. The herbal and spicy qualities of the hops are definitely featured in the aroma along with a nice side of sweet, nutty malts that almost reminds me of Honey Nut Cheerios.

T- The very beginning of the taste has a nice malty sweetness to it, but that is quickly and overwhelmingly dominated by the rather strong, grassy, and bitter hops. Not as balanced as the aroma led me to believe, but enjoyable nonetheless. It finishes dry and bitter with a hint of citrus. After it had the chance to warm up, I noticed a bit more earthy and nutty flavors come through somewhere between the middle and the finish. A smidgen more bitter than the 65 IBU's on the label would have you believe, and the 7.2 ABV is noticeable now that I've made my way through more than half of the glass.

M- Mid to full mouthfeel, but not sticky at all. Lots of carbonation with some rising bubbles still visible at the end of the glass. Appropriate bitter bite on toward the back of the palate, and an alcohol burn on the back of the throat that reminds you that you aren't drinking a session ale.

O- Overall, a worthwhile IPA. What it may lack in complexity, it makes up for in strong distinct flavors. However, as I finished it, I began to appreciate its subtle complexity more. This is just outside of my top 10 American IPA's, I would definitely pick this up again sometime.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 02:33:12 | More by ElijahRivera

rdilauro

Connecticut

3.44/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Poured a little amber in color with a tiny tight head. There wasn't a lot of bouquet from this one. I expected a bit more hoopy and citrus/grapefruit aroma from this one considering the IBU.

It was very clean and crisp with a light delightful taste. The after taste was clean

Overall a nice beer from founders, cant find anything wrong with it, but on the other hand I cant sing its praise

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 21:32:16 | More by rdilauro

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.86/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into crooked stave tulip. Pours a deep amber burnt orange with some slight white head. Aromas of sweet candy hop mixed with sharp pine and a lot of malt backbone. Flavor of big malt maybe marris otter..with sharp bitter pine hop flavor. Finishes with some smooth sweet malt. Its a bit over bitter and over malty...more of an English ipa. Its a good ipa and can see why people like it but I like ipas with less sweet malt and a crisper smoothness.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:31:36 | More by DrinkSlurm

aLenwell

Florida

4.48/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Brought back by a friend from a trip to Atlanta, GA.

From a 12oz bottle to a Cigar City snifter.

First full review, here goes nothin.

A - Clean pour, barely any head. Rich amber color, nice haze to it.

S - Smells amazing, like a citrus grove with a mixture of hops and fruits on the trees. Love how well the sweet smell blends right into the sip and that first taste. Great combination.

T - Awesome transition from smell to taste. Very balanced. Not too hoppy, not too sweet. Good citrus notes. Just enough bitterness at the end.

M - Good carbonation at first, turns into a smooth, almost oily texture, then finishes off a little dry, kinda like biting into a citrus fruit really.

O - Not bad at all. If this was more accessible, and it may soon be with Founders coming to FL, I would drink it a lot. One of the better IPAs I've tasted in a while. Second Founders beer I've had, can't wait for the next.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 23:20:51 | More by aLenwell

hopoilcrazy

Tennessee

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Shagens for the extra!

A - Amber haze and unfiltered look blend well with the solid cap of head make for a very good looking beer. Sticky, very sticky lacing

S - Good floral and mild citrus notes, slight hop oil. I get some biscuity malts in the background. Smells like its going to be a hop bomb though

T - But I'm wrong. I am amazed at how perfectly balanced this beer is. Every sip has malt and hop jockeying for position constantly...very well done. Creamy floral notes, rose water, hibiscus, mineraly, and mild tangelo or tangerine.

M - Mouth coating hop oil with a firm body. Long finish which is one of the best qualities of Centennial...is there anything this hop cannot do? It bitters, It's citrusy, it's floral

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 05:47:03 | More by hopoilcrazy

stephens101

Oklahoma

3.34/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Extra fizzy off a hard pour. Ends with one-finger of dense tan head. Smells of oily hops, grapefruit, lemon and caramel. A bit of grass is also noticed. Tastes grainy with a backdrop of subdued hops and cotton candy. Somewhat chalky, medium bodied and drier than expected. Founders has never blown me away with thir beers I've tried, but this is another tasty beverage from this consistent brewery.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 23:48:32 | More by stephens101

goWhite89

Michigan

4.61/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very clean pour with little to no head. Amber color. Conservative hoppy-ness with subtle citrius overtones. For an ABV of 7.2% it's extremely drinkable. Being from GR this is of my favorite available Founders creations. Would recommend to anyone who is a fan of American IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 03:05:04 | More by goWhite89

mondegreen

Georgia

4.16/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz Bottle into Founders Balloon Tulip

A: Pours a golden copper with a fairly thin white head. Pretty standard for an IPA.

N: Strong citrus aroma. This is my favorite aspect of this beer. It showcases the Centennial hop as well as any IPA out there.

T: Opens with plenty of hop flavor. Not bitter at first, but the bitterness comes in a wave in the finish. Not much in the way of malt or sweetness, but enough character that the bitterness isn't abrasive.

M: Medium bodied. Pretty well spot on for the style.

O: This is one of my go-to American IPAs. It's reasonably priced in a 6 pack, pairs well with a wide variety of food, and packs enough of a hop punch that you know you're drinking an IPA. It isn't the most adventurous IPA, but it is a wonderful interpretation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 22:30:23 | More by mondegreen

Ham-Nord

Ontario (Canada)

4.16/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Amber/copper in colour. Minimal head that dissipates quickly. Some lacing around the glass.

S: Strong citrus. A touch of sweetness.

T: Citrus fruit hops, bitter but well balanced with the malt. More flavour from the hops, rather than bitterness. Light sweetness.

M: Light carbonation, medium bodied. Sharpness on the palate.

Overall: Well balanced sessionable IPA. Bitterness is not overpowering, but is still present throughout.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 23:54:22 | More by Ham-Nord

barczar

Kentucky

4.06/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear deep copper with a frothy one inch cream head that lingers, eventually dissipating and leaving spotty lacing.

Resin, bready malt, toast, and dank hop notes form the initial aroma. Grapefruit, lemon, spruce, and fresh cut grass add complexity.

Flavor follows suit, with a caramel malt backbone, slightly sweet, pervading throughout. Grapefruit and tangerine begin the hop profile, fading mid palate to notes of resin, which carry into the fairly bitter finish. Grassy qualities emerge as it warms, along with pineapple in the aftertaste.

Body is moderate, with moderate carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Good malt backbone to carry the hops, which are fairly flavorful and not overly bitter. Citrus and resin are both well represented.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 02:35:05 | More by barczar

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.04/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

P: Slight haze in a effervescent body of glistening copper. Minimal white lacing that sloppily grasps the edges.

S: Grass and dry hay with a touch of honey. Citrus and melon bitterness with a natural but sweet toasted malt aroma. Sun baked plastic trash bag funk. Faint bubblegum fumes. Not getting a lot of pine out of this but it is timid.

T/M: The fruity melon and citrus notes continue with the syrupy malt base. Natural flavors like grass and hay combined with a herbal undertone balance the sweet and bitter. Medium-full body with a crisp carbonation to create a great body. Finish is dry with a carbonated bite. Spicy alcohol with a undertone of pine once warm.

O: Great IPA that has complex but balanced flavors. This ipa is more malt foreard that aggressively hopped. Founders is just fantastic. I have yet to be disappointed with anything they have to offer. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2013 21:49:43 | More by Hopswagger

Joethebeerpro

Georgia

2.73/5  rDev -34.4%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This IPA is without question one of the best balanced and complex flavors that is one the market. The Founder’s Crew did an amazing job producing a beautiful color, great balanced taste, and still had that classic IPA flavor. Only drawback that I had was that the palate was a little bit lacking but still, amazing beer. Widely available, so give it a try. I just don't like piney IPA's

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 06:02:35 | More by Joethebeerpro

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

3.79/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

No bottled on date could be found.

A - Pours a clear amber with a half-finger of rocky biege head, which quickly disipates. Well carbonated. Minimal lacing.

S - Piney with a slight floral

T - A dry bitterness. As the beer warms some strong maltiness comes through.

MF - Smooth start with a dry sharp finish.

O - Easy drinking but not outstanding in any one characteristic. A nice but rather non-descript IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 01:46:44 | More by Sludgeman

leokbelo

Florida

4.81/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Rich, deep copper color poured into a pint glass, with an inch head that fades eventually into an everlasting lacing.
Hoppy aroma, grass and pine combs. Very floral and inviting.
Spicy hoppy taste, again very grassy, with some malt sweetness in the background.
Extremely well balanced, making it a perfect session IPA!
Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 23:17:49 | More by leokbelo

HattedClassic

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance:
Pours a nice white head and nice white lacing. The beer itself is a beautiful golden amber.

Smell:
Strong orange smells with bits of malt.

Taste:
Strong taste of orange with some nice pale malts. The malts are a bit on the sweet side but I also get some burnt tastes as well.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-Bodied. Medium carbonation. Typical IPA feel.

Overall:
A very good beer and will probably include it as part of my rotation during the Spring. The beer is pretty balanced overall and goes well with most things.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 20:46:01 | More by HattedClassic

Bauzen

New York

4.63/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Centennial is dry and hoppy, the way an IPA should be. The aroma is not overpowering, like some of the higher-rated IPAs. I wish the flavor would linger more, but then again, I see the appeal of it remaining dry and finishing neat. This beer stands alone as a readily available IPA in my area, and it's an excellent option for people who want a clean night cap, without committing to a heavier Imperial.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 20:23:58 | More by Bauzen

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

4.19/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Review taken from notes(early march 2013) on tap at CL into a growler.

Growler filled at Continental Liquors Ashland, Ky.(new tap system is sweet I must say). They provided me with a reusable growler that I poured into a tulip/stout like pint glass.

A - Deep amberish orange with a bit of cloudiness but the other side is still visible through the glass. Frothy head sits lusciously on top. Fantastic looking beer. A good bit of haze and layer after layer of sticky lace that clings to the walls of my glass.

S - Brilliant aromas. Fruity notes hold the front and continue throughout with tight hits of classic grapefruit with touches of pine. Excellent Centennial hop display shifts into a ripe pear note. Solid backbone of caramel sweetness and soft malt aromas.

T - good hop flavors of grapefruit and pine with a fruitiness to add some overall hop balance. More pear, and lighter like fruits are noticed. Good malt flavor toward the middle with some caramel sweetness with a clean finish. Bitterness is pretty minimal in the finish.

M - a very drinkable ipa. Very well balanced while still getting the hops across the palate. Idk if the overall smoothness was bc this came off tap, but it was very drinkable. Typical Founders thickness and texture like with most of their beers.

O - A lovely IPA. This is why we all love Founders. Centennial hops do a nice job when done right and Founders does this ipa to perfection. This has become one of my go to brews, and I'm looking forward to trying the bottles I bought. Great first experience with a growler.

Serving type: growler

03-26-2013 23:48:45 | More by BradtheGreat7