Post- S:t Patricks Day: Finally Founders Centennial IPA

First of all - any reactions on the blogs new international approach? It may be a little too early to say much but any comments or suggestions are welcomed!

I'm still hungover from S:t Patricks day yesterday so bare with me. Had a great time in Gamla Stan at The Liffys, can recommend you a visit. But waking up with a Guiness hat and green face paint smeared over your face isn't maybe what you love to do. Anyways.

Now, lets rock some beer.

For some reason I have always thought of Founders as a British brewery, maybe because I havent tried something from them (until now) and probably due to the similarity in name with Fullers. When I later understood their true heritage and that many of their beers are highly rated ones I got really exited about the Mars release containing both their Centennial IPA and their Breakfast Stout.

Todays post will be about the first of the two - Founders Centennial IPA. A highly classed IPA, dry hopped and finishing on an IBU of 65.

So, lets rate it!

Appearance: Small head which slowly dies out. Orange to red amber’ish color
Aroma: The aroma hits you instantly with a well hopped but not too heavy aroma of dry hopped IPA with light tropical fruit aromas. I can often find dry hopped beer somewhat heavy but this isn’t that at all. Easy notes of well balanced nuts against a bitter background. Very well balanced over all and stays away from the trap of offering to much flavor and aroma from the hop cones. Finally there is a citrusy acidness which gives a hint of a high “drinkability”.
Palate: Light mouth feel. Light flavors of dry hop IPA with flavors of cellulose. Not too bitter at all and which I actually expected (65IBU is it?). But how is it? Really? A little to light for me, but with a good bitterness and high drinkability. The maltiness makes it a little sweeter than expected for an IPA. I can’t really find that many tropical or citrusy flavors.

Final grade? – Good, Interesting and very lightly dry hopped IPA. Although, from this bottle I can’t understand why it has received so high results in different reviews. I went back with 4 of my remaining bottles but I have one left which I will try again and see if it makes a better impression on me.