Founders Centennial IPA - Founders Brewing Company

bosox941827

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz glass into imperial pint glass; poured cold and warmed as I tasted it
A - Actually "wowed" the appearance when I poured it; pours a quite dark amber/orange w/hints of brown. Pours cloudy with a one-finger head that dissipates to a thin foamy layer down the glass
S - I get mostly a sweet, bready biscuit off the nose; not much in the way of hops
T - First impression is honey-bread/caramel sweetness, which carries through to mid-palate; then blends and is replaced by a firm but not overpowering Centennial hop flavor (mild grapefruit, lemon rind); a touch of alcohol mixes in there as well. This is a fairly sweet beer, which I wasn't expecting. However, has a ong, dry finish, which is quite pleasant.
M - Very smooth; carbonation is *almost* creamy; long tongue-drying finish, that requests you take your next sip sooner than later!
D - Fairly good; could see the sweetness getting a bit cloying after a bit.
Overall a good IPA, but not world-class for me. Seem to get two extremes in same bottle - VERY sweet and very dry at the end. It is that rare beer that excels in both that gets 5's from me. Still recommended, however.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 22:01:16 | More by bosox941827

jbeervt

Vermont

4/5  rDev -3.8%

05-20-2013 16:08:08 | More by jbeervt

IPAFan521

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

05-20-2013 13:08:37 | More by IPAFan521

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

05-20-2013 12:59:02 | More by BeerCon5

thampel09

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

05-20-2013 03:56:33 | More by thampel09

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

Illmaticzx

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%

05-20-2013 01:44:08 | More by Illmaticzx

Eric908

South Dakota

4/5  rDev -3.8%

05-20-2013 00:17:10 | More by Eric908

birdsellam

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%

05-19-2013 18:13:34 | More by birdsellam

BBrewington

California

3.5/5  rDev -15.9%

05-19-2013 17:05:22 | More by BBrewington

Burt

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

05-19-2013 16:05:03 | More by Burt

Fubar1453

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%

05-19-2013 14:19:08 | More by Fubar1453

BrazilianAussie

Brazil

4/5  rDev -3.8%

05-19-2013 02:34:18 | More by BrazilianAussie

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

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%

05-19-2013 01:17:26 | More by NJB145

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -3.8%

05-18-2013 14:57:50 | More by drgonzo2k2

AmandaSchaefer

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -3.8%

05-18-2013 12:51:08 | More by AmandaSchaefer

Twal

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

05-18-2013 05:22:35 | More by Twal

Honus1

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%

05-18-2013 02:53:26 | More by Honus1

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -3.8%

05-18-2013 02:53:14 | More by Burkbom23

timoteo833

New York

4.75/5  rDev +14.2%

05-18-2013 02:07:42 | More by timoteo833

leedorham

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

05-18-2013 02:02:26 | More by leedorham

briiguy

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

05-18-2013 01:57:26 | More by briiguy

inanity

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +20.2%

05-18-2013 00:13:49 | More by inanity

Newenglandcraftbrew

Maine

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%

05-17-2013 21:19:16 | More by Newenglandcraftbrew