Founders Centennial IPA - Founders Brewing Company

GCGrant

Ohio

5/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A perfect IPA in my book. Everything you would expect and more. Drinkability is almost endless. I could drink this everyday. Just enough hops to get your attention but still very well balanced with the malty sweetness. I've never had a bad beer from Founders, but this is definately the best. Recently found it on tap at Miles Road Winking Lizard. WOW!

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2008 18:11:28 | More by GCGrant

bwan15

New York

5/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: a beautiful, deep burnt orange....decent, dirty blonde head that leaves sticky, bubbly legs all over the glass once it's settled down.

Smell: Hoppy manure and a bit of clean hay. A delicious, doughy malt character blossoms through the nose as it warms. 

Taste: Hopped to perfection. The bitter, pungent hops are favored over the sweet, grainy malt flavored in just the right amount. The hops have an almost minty etherealness to them, but the malt sparkles throughout, glimmering here and there even in the aftertaste. The burp is a delightful minty hop. 

Mouthfeel: like most of founders brews, exquisitely balanced and full bodied. Never overstays it's welcome, and after each swallow there is a pleasant astringency tickling the tongue and keeping the palate thirsty for more. 

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 21:39:50 | More by bwan15

Avagadro

New Jersey

4.97/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served lightly chilled in an American pint glass. I've had countless bottles of this before but never got around to reviewing it. A very frothy two-finger tan head forms, and remains above 1cm untill beer is completed. Clear and copper in color.You can instantly smell the citrusy/piney aromas that the centennial hops give off through the bubbling head. Amazing in flavor. Begins with a wave of sweet toasted malt, and is overcome by the pleasent centennial hops. Bitter, yet smooth. It has a somewhat thick mouthfeel for an IPA. Not that this is bad at all. Leaves a clean feeling in your mouth. Drinkability is high. I will continue to purchase this beer for as long as it's available to me. This is easily on of my favorite beers, and IMHO, one of the best IPAs out there.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2006 01:34:39 | More by Avagadro

techlady

California

4.97/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I don't know what it is about the Founders IPA, but I find it really appealing. It has more character than most IPAs, and is a little softer and mellower than most. Rather than the hard edge of some IPAs, it has richness. I would have it with an aged steak--or, in my case, a small filet mignon--topped with a thin slice of Maytag Blue cheese..

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2007 16:17:00 | More by techlady

Mibeerfan239

Michigan

4.97/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

i love this ipa. the smell of the freshly poured head is strong and an exact introduction to the taste. great balance of hop bite, full flavor and mouthfeel.

it can easily be consumed 2-4 in a session. but, drink it quickly after purhcase. shelf life is not very long.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 06:37:06 | More by Mibeerfan239

jwinship83

Illinois

4.95/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Very dark orange with a slight white head. Solid lacing, LOTS of sediment.

S-Strong odor of pine/citrus hops.

T-Citrus. Strong bitter hop finish. just what im looking for out of an IPA

M-Nice moderate feel and pretty smooth. perfect carbonation level.

D-A great overall beer that is easy to drink and would be hard to pass up another couple. fantastic year round selection. its something youll find in my (beer) fridge all year.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2008 16:10:39 | More by jwinship83

PatDreadful

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pored from a 12 oz bottle into my DFH chalice. Bottled 11/13/2011.

Appearance: Beautiful dark October orange with light caramel edges. A vigorous pour yields a nice 1 finger head with barely any lacing.

Aroma: Simply amazing! Oranges, lemons and a mild woodiness hit you up fron with a faint sweetness that brings it all together.

Taste: Perfect! Hops serve as the backbone but never overpower. The citrus hits you up front with a woody finish as the malt ties the entire package together.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with mid carbination. Simply put, smooth as can be as the ABV is completely hidden.

Easily in my top 10 IPAs. TRY IT!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 00:25:52 | More by PatDreadful

inilegna

Michigan

4.93/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into pint glass. What a beautiful IPA. Nice orangey brown with an inch thick head.

I get amaretto and butter on the nose, with a hint of earthy-ness, like sweet finished compost. The malt also comes through really creamy, adding to the amaretto scent.

Smooth mouthfeel, very light feeling. Goes down very smooth, almost too smooth.

The flavor is amazing -- huge amaretto cookie, a little butterscotch, and very nice mild bitterness.

Sweet and pleasant, could easily drink a few of these without much effort!

Overall, a really nice IPA -- not too hoppy, not too complex -- just smooth, sweet, and seductive.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 01:26:13 | More by inilegna

schmidtn

Michigan

4.93/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Nice amber color with a thin white collar that remained for a good time. Left some nice lacing on the glass.

Strong hops, lighter malt.

Taste of this beer rocks, hops is not lost and there is enough malt to satisfy. Balanced.

Carbonation level is perfect for this brew and the malt dissipates to leave a nice clean feel.

This brew is quaffable. Could become a staple product in my house. A nice product.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2011 21:46:36 | More by schmidtn

Heatwave33

Florida

4.93/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a Dogfish Head Snifter.

Color: Clear orange-amber with a tan head.

Smell: Mango cam at me first followed by floral hops. Then peach and grapefruit.

Taste: Floral hops is first followed by the mango mango. Peach and grapefruit on the end.

Mouthfeel: Great carbonation, slightly coarse yet still smooth. Has a very nice light dry finish.

Overall: I am totally blown away by this IPA! The citrus and hops are so well balanced and flavorful. Medium bodied. Just an oustanding brew. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 02:55:57 | More by Heatwave33

GoldHorde

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is a solid American IPA. I would give this to someone who wanted to know what an American IPA style is like. Bouquet has the nice sharp hop and the flavor follows suit. Appearance was light amber and clear with nice carbonation. Perfect balance of body to hop - with the edge given to the hop as it should be with this style.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2010 16:11:27 | More by GoldHorde

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with CRJMellor. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a dense 1/2" off-white head above a quite cloudy orangey-amber brew. Head lasts, and laces well. Aroma is initially of citrus, but quickly gives way to some piney hops character. As in the nose, the taste has citrus and hops fighting for dominance, with the hops winning out in the end, but oh, what a flavor that is formed by their competition. Mouthfeel and drinkability are superb. Not sure if this is really the best IPA I've had, but it sure feels like it right now...

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2004 16:27:59 | More by ppoitras

dmamiano

West Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hazy orangish color with a small, off white head. Lacing surely eveident.
Bottle conditioned.
Earthy, sweet and floral notes hit the nose fast. I know just from the smell that this is one special beer.
Taste is malts, caramel sweetness accentuated by copious amounts of hops.
Hint of orange rind, full malt balance and a "whisp" of alcohol leads this into an amazing beer.
One of the best!

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2010 23:28:37 | More by dmamiano

chinning

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is my first beer review, so please bear with me...

I had this beer in a bottle, so I can't say much about appearance. This beer is very hoppy, with a distinct citrus aroma. After the first bottle, my impression was WOW! This is the most outstanding IPA I have ever had! After the second, third, fourth... I was even more convinced! For an IPA, this beer goes down extremely well. Go get some!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 03:05:28 | More by chinning

emmasrue1

Michigan

4.85/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Smooth, great cold. drank in a stein and the aroma and mouth taste was excellent. would buy again.
I also tried Crudmudgeon and this was so much better. I would recommend this beer any time of the year. I like the tidy bottle also.

It is a very respectable beer and one of Founders best.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 10:32:22 | More by emmasrue1

thebrood1987

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fantastic IPA smell of strong citrus orange like qualities with some pine leafy smells and some candy sugar like smells in there as well. You get the hop bite on the beginning and then the sweet almost chewy candy sugar malt which goes excellent with the citrus herbal pine hops on the finish. It also ends dry but not too dry. The bitterness from the hops is definitely there but isn't that strong considering this has an amazing sweet malt taste to it.

The sweet malt taste and even the hop taste kind of reminds me of some other IPA's I've had mostly Heavy Seas Loose Cannon and maybe some of Lagunitas beers mixed in with a little bit of Stone (because I know they like to use that Centennial hop) For being a single hopped beer it has plenty of kick and flavor. The malt bill is really what makes it shine. Who knows maybe they made the malt sweet and candy like because of only having one hop variety in there. Whatever they do they do it good and this beer is on the top of the list when it comes to IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2011 00:41:29 | More by thebrood1987

dexterk1

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance is light copper or dark amber. Smells hoppy. You can tell from the smell that is an IPA. Very pleasant odor overall. Mouth feel is very good. Taste is very good. Beer is overall well balanced. Citrus is present and is strong. Hops do not make the beer unbearably bitter. Nice finish! Definitely one of the best (if not the best) IPAs I have had.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 18:29:25 | More by dexterk1

nortmand

Virginia

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Looks like I might be the 100th reviewer. Go Founders!
Pours orange-red with a very slight haze. Very little head, but that may be pourer (i.e. me) error, so I split the difference.
Dry hops! is the definitive smell of this brew. Beneath the citrusty hop presence is a bit of sweet, supportive caramel. Awesome smell to this masterpiece.
Citrusy sweet flavor that ands in a grapefruit bitterness and a nudge of alcohol burn for good measure. Smell is slightly better, but taste is a definite 5 and there is no 5.5 for smell, so...
Slight, natural carbonation supports the silky smooth character of this brew as it glides across the tongue.
OK, between Devil Dancer and this, these folks have the art of the IPA figured out. Congrats to them for making probably the best balanced brew I've ever tasted. Sometimes balance is boring, but sometimes, there's a beer, well, its the beer for its time and place. It fits right in there.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2005 00:46:44 | More by nortmand

CraftAle

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My favorite IPA, and I've tried many. Smell and taste are both complex, much more than just hop's bitterness. Sorry, Im not going to use a bunch of fruit, vegetable or farm smells to describe the brew. I don't believe it's helpful to someone else with completely different smell and taste buds. I will repeat, that the smell and taste are complex and much more than bitterness.

Good as this is in bottles, it is even better on draft at their beer pub as you would expect.

I read that the brewery is expanding capacity, and that may mean wider distribution. For all you IPA fans, that will be especially good news.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2006 19:57:30 | More by CraftAle

sarahspat

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

When this beer is at its best, it's definitely one of my all-time faves, but it seems like this one varies more than Founders other beers. When it's good, though, it's sooo good. This review is based on one of the best pints of Centennial IPA that I have ever had.

It was served to me today at Founders with about an inch of frothy white head. The liquid is a dark amber color with some orangish hues to it.

Strong, sweet flowers dominate the nose and play a large role in the taste as well. Also present in the taste is a bit of piney bitterness, citrus fruits, and a nice caramel malt backbone to support all of those glorious hops. The finish is very bitter, and what I want to call crisp. The mouthfeel is on the light side of medium, which is fine for the style; moderate carbonation. This is one tasty, tasty brew. Very drinkable, but it does make you thirsty. I kind of wish it could taste this good all the time. Not that it's ever really not good... this pint was just exceptional. Nice job, Founders.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2009 00:50:13 | More by sarahspat

NCSUdo

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle

A: Deep, hazy copper under an inch worth of white head. Excellent lace and retention.

S: A very nice citrus hop aroma, grapefruit and orange, with a mix of a more piney hop thrown in there. Some caramel maltiness rounds out a very nice aroma.

T: Sweet, malty up front before turning into the expected hops and bitterness. Hops are a bit less citrus like in the taste department, more towards the pine side. Bitterness is pretty big in the back of the mouth. There is a bit of candied citrus fruit character at the start, mixed in with the initial sweetness. This is AIPA taste perfection.

M/D: Body is medium, slick and oily, carbonation is medium. Drinkability is really nice. A superb AIPA that could be enjoyed all day long. Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2009 18:55:31 | More by NCSUdo

pinotboy007

Virginia

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - It was rather dark outside, but I took a chance and poured it into an Oregon Pinot Noir glass - glad I did. Rich, bubbly head that slowly setteled leaving decent styrofoam-like lace. Looks gorgeous.

S - Hops. Grapefruit, caramel, scotch pine, leather - lots going on! Floral aromas are fused into a nice ale.

T - Possibly one of the finest IPAs I've enjoyed to date. Grapefruit (Willamette or Centennial hops), peat, caramel, pine, forest floor w/a hint of sweetness to round this out. Wow!

M - The best charasteric. Silky richness that begs for another sip. Medium-bodied with alcohol that whispers to you; fantastic.

D - My first from this brewer and I must say this is a spectacular offering. A solid IPA that should be on everyone's list year 'round. Awesome.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2009 02:34:22 | More by pinotboy007

DoubleDeadGuy

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is one of my favorite IPAs. Great taste, great drinkability. This tastes like what an IPA should taste like. Very pleasing to the palate. Can drink more than one in a sitting. I've had it on tap too and it's one of the few beers that tastes the same on tap or in a bottle. What more can be said?

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2009 06:50:15 | More by DoubleDeadGuy

allboutbierge

Austria

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Absolutely wonderful IPA...probably the best Ive ever had.

Appearance has almost an golden apple juice color with a big white head letting off a rich crisp bouquet full of grapefruit and pine. Little floral note. Flavor is crisp and very rich in its bitterness...no sourness at all. Just tons of grapefruit and pine. Nice balance brought on by the toasty malts, finishes pretty grassy. An exceptional IPA that doesn't burn taste buds but carries a bitterness that doesn't bore after a few pints.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2009 17:22:04 | More by allboutbierge

bundy462

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Murky burnt orange. Unfiltered with an impressive frothy head and big lacing that lasts the whole way through.

S: Pine, hops, citrus, slightly grainy. If you're an IPA fan, this is for you. It's pungent.

T: Excellent. Big citrusy pine the whole way with a big lingering bitterness. A true American IPA that is done about is good as it can be.

M: Prickly yet smooth. Medium bodied, almost creamy due to the frothy head.

O: This is a good one. One that should be near the top of your list. Another great brew from Founders.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 00:35:44 | More by bundy462