Founders Centennial IPA - Founders Brewing Company

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

Bosoxfan20

Oklahoma

4.31/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured from 12 oz bottle into Speiglau IPA glass. Pours a dark, clear copper. 1.5 finger, light tan head. Moderate retention. Sticky lacing. Nice looking brew.

S- Big citrus and floral hops. Not huge, but prevalent. Very sweet smelling, with a nice bready body.

T- Taste really follows nose with big citrus flavors- mango, grapefruit, orange, then goes sweet with a touch of caramel and syrup, followed by a light biscuit taste, and then has a bite of bitterness before it smooths out in the finish. No harshness whatsoever. Beautiful balance. Really, really love the taste of this one.

M- Smooth and velvety. Mid body. Coats the tongue and leaves you wanting more. NO harshness as mentioned. Slightly dry finish created by the hop presence, but goes down smooth.

O- Another great offering by Founders. Just fantastic balance in this IPA. A lot going on with the intense flavors. Has some similar characteristics as 90 minute IPA IMO, but not quite as sweet. Certainly one of my favorite IPAs that will be a go to brew for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:36:32 | More by Bosoxfan20

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Hazy orange colour, about a finger of dense white head, some lace as well. Smell is all out citrus and tropical fruits up front, grapefruit being the most upfront, a bit of sweet bready malt, as it warms more citrus fruit in the way of orange, pineapple and mango. Taste is fruity, lots of bitter hops, lots of citrus fruit mostly grapefruit and orange, a bit of sweet malt mid palate, drying finish with long hoppy pineapple finish. Light-medium dry cabonation, medium body. I really enjoyed this, basically my ideal IPA here, something I would gladly drink a lot more of.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 13:57:33 | More by peensteen

GuzzLah

Illinois

3.36/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

A - pours a clear, orange with a short white head and some lace. A few bubbles.

S - citrus and soft pine. Soft malt. Weak aroma for an IPA.

T - is like the aroma with a mix of orange and grapefruit. Soft piney finish. Hint of sweetness. Decent flavor, but not exceptional.

M - low-medium body with low-medium carbonation. Soft bitterness with a medium sustain.

O - a middle of the road IPA for me. Nothing really bad about it and nothing really great about it. The aroma was weak for the style and the flavor was fine, but both could be more robust.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 22:21:58 | More by GuzzLah

punky796

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass.

A - Pours an orange-red-brown, cloudy color. About a finger of cream-white head that leaves some nice lacing.

S - Lots of hops, it's an IPA after all. Also some pine-like and citrus notes, with some other stuff in there. Flowery...who knows.

T - Dang! Hoppy, but not overpowering, the pine and citrusy tastes even it out well. Pretty dry, but imo that's how this kind of beer should be. I may be imagining it because I seem to detect it in almost everything, but there may be some bread/toast in there, too.

M - Almost bouncy on the tongue, with medium carbonation and dry finish. Surprisingly, pleasantly, not over-bitter. More of a tangy-ness.

O - Seems like I'm a superlative machine when it comes to Founder's, but as someone who's not really an IPA fan, they've got me wanting another of these. Very solid IPA, and instantly one of my favorites of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 10:08:28 | More by punky796

Doc_Hops

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Founders Centennial pours a nice, deep orange that glows with a slight haze. A lightly tan head sits atop and is slowly shrinking but still hangin' around.

S- A slightly milder hop aroma than I expected but still has a good citrus burst. Maybe I'm off but there some other fruit notes in here as well. maybe a little darker fruit, like cherries?

T- After a nice big sip I get a ton of grapefruit; grapefruit from start to finish and it's delicious. A nice malt base is present too that gives this beer some good balance.

M- Mild carbonation and tingle on the tongue. Medium bodied. Leaves a very average amount of resin behind, which is to be expected.

O- Solid beer! Well balanced, crisp, bitter, and good abv. Overall, it's terrific.

Serving Type- 12oz bottle poured into an IPA glass. Thanks for reading.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 03:07:09 | More by Doc_Hops

Rodun

New York

4.11/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice bitter smell off the bat.

Golden amber tint swimming coolly below solid initial carbonation.

Deep hop taste with faint alcohol nuances when sipped and breathed onto. Present after taste with hops clinging lovingly to tongue and roof of mouth.

Good IPA, solid ABV.

Complements seafood pasta (clam and shrimp in wine soaked tomato base sauce) well.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 03:11:25 | More by Rodun

dar482

New York

4.73/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A deep red amber color with a stiff finger of head. It has a slight cloudiness from it not being filtered.

Not a strong aroma, but a decent amount of warm citrus.

With taste, you get a good initial rush of hop and juicy citrus. The middle then turns into a good amount of slight grapefruit with a stiffer finish, but it actually ends really clean. There’s a hint of pineyness too.

The mouthfeel is big for an IPA. This really is a well balanced IPA. It has this great citrus note, but also the pine feeling of a West IPA. Great mouthfeel. Clean finish. Just so well rounded. One of my favorite IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 06:38:57 | More by dar482

dougfur

New York

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I like the color of this beer a lot. It's a nice light amber color, clear, but not crystal clear. The head was a bit disappointing; small and bubbly, rather than creamy.
Smell was a bit subtle, but nice; classic centennial. The smell didn't carry over to taste though and I had to really work to taste the hops. It also had a touch of sourness to it and the carbonation didn't seem quite right. Not a bad beer at all, but I was disappointed, given what I'd read in other reviews. To be fair, this had been bottled 2 months ago. I'd like to try it again fresh and will re-review if I do. Overall, a decent ipa, but nothing to get excited about.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 01:55:47 | More by dougfur

Mounty4Life

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into tubulator glass, super sticky lacing and a golden amber color. Smells of alcoholicgrapefruit juice, kinda! Hoppy centennial scent but is balanced. Grapefruit, pine, oranges delicious ipa from midwest with west coast kick! Nice carb and hop kick with quality dry hop aftertaste. Overall I will revisit this ipa again and again when looking for sturdy ipa! Hides the 7.2 well!

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 03:59:59 | More by Mounty4Life

DragonzBreath

Michigan

4.24/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Founders Centennial IPA - Founders Brewing Company.
I treated myself to a six mix from Kroger. Found some nice singles.
This was a FIND! Pours dark and thick. Nice bright head. The smell is great, some floral, kissing the grapefruit. very fragrant. Taste, Bam. this is a crazy mad IPA on ludes.
great IPA flavor with calm tones and notes. rich and thick.. mellow bitter end....A classy IPA! Abv 7.20

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 20:48:20 | More by DragonzBreath