Founders Centennial IPA 6Pk is a 7.2% ABV American IPA from Founders Brewing Co. in Michigan, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz. containers. Scored 93/100 by Beer & Brewing Magazine, this single-hop IPA has earned a loyal following for its aggressive yet balanced Centennial hop profile layered over a surprisingly rich malt backbone. Quick Facts: ABV: 7.2% | IBU: 65 | Origin: Grand Rapids, Michigan | Style: American IPA | Brewery: Founders Brewing Co. Production & Heritage Founders Brewing Co. was established in 1997 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has grown into one of the most recognized craft breweries in the United States. Centennial IPA is built on a grain bill of Golden Promise, Munich, and Crystal malts — a notably unconventional choice, as Golden Promise is more commonly associated with Scotch ales. That base grain provides a honeyed sweetness that counterbalances the assertive bitterness and aromatics of the Centennial hop, which serves as the sole hop variety for both bittering and aroma additions. The result is a 65-IBU IPA that hits hard on hop character without tipping into abrasive territory. Tasting Notes Aroma: Cedar and resin lead the nose, followed by bright navel orange and floral notes. A light honeyed quality from the Golden Promise malt grounds the hop-forward aromatics. Taste: The entry is citrus-forward with grapefruit and orange peel, quickly joined by pine and floral hop flavors at mid-palate. Malty undertones emerge through the middle, delivering a light honey sweetness that tempers the bitterness and creates genuine balance rather than a one-note hop assault. Finish: Grapefruit bitterness lingers lightly without turning harsh or astringent. The malt and hop character shake hands on the way out, leaving a dry, resinous close that invites the next sip. How to Drink Centennial IPA Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45–50°F to allow the aromatic complexity to open up fully. Drinking straight from the can or bottle works in casual settings, but a glass dramatically improves the nose. Centennial IPA holds its own in a West Coast–style IPA flight alongside other hop-driven beers. It makes a solid base for a Beer-a-Rita (blended with lime juice and a salted rim) when you want something unconventional. It also works surprisingly well in a Hop Shandy mixed with fresh lemonade, where its pine and citrus character amplifies rather than clashes. Best For Stocking the fridge for a backyard cookout with hophead friends Introducing someone to full-flavored IPAs without overwhelming bitterness Pairing with grilled meats, burgers, or spicy wings on game day Building a craft beer tasting lineup focused on single-hop showcases Frequently Asked Questions What does Centennial IPA taste like? Centennial IPA delivers bright citrus and pine hop flavors balanced by a honeyed malt sweetness from Golden Promise grain, finishing dry with lingering grapefruit bitterness that never turns harsh. How does Centennial IPA compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both IPAs showcase the Centennial hop as their star ingredient, but Two Hearted is widely regarded as the gold-standard Centennial-hop showcase with a slightly more restrained malt presence. Founders Centennial IPA leans into a richer malt backbone courtesy of its Golden Promise base, producing a sweeter counterpoint to its 65 IBU bitterness. Is Centennial IPA good for IPA beginners? Its 65 IBU rating and 7.2% ABV place it squarely in experienced-drinker territory, but the pronounced malt sweetness makes it more approachable than many IPAs at similar bitterness levels. Newcomers curious about hop-forward beers will find it a well-balanced entry point into the style. Where is Centennial IPA made? Centennial IPA is brewed by Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city widely recognized as one of America's top craft beer destinations. What foods pair well with Centennial IPA? Grilled burgers benefit from the beer's citrus cut through charred fat; spicy buffalo wings are tempered by its malt sweetness; sharp cheddar cheese echoes the beer's resinous depth; fish tacos with lime crema mirror the citrus hop notes; and pepperoni pizza finds a natural partner in the pine bitterness. What sizes does Centennial IPA come in? Centennial IPA is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans or bottles, as well as 15-packs and single 12 oz. units depending on market availability. Is Centennial IPA worth the price? Centennial IPA positions as a flagship craft IPA in the mid-range price tier, and its 93/100 score from Beer & Brewing Magazine reflects strong critical validation for what it delivers at this level — consistent quality, distinctive single-hop character, and genuine balance that many similarly priced IPAs fail to achieve. Why Centennial IPA? The decision to build an entire IPA around a single hop variety is a bold one, and Founders makes it work by pairing Centennial hops with an equally distinctive grain bill. Golden Promise malt — a barley variety far more common in Scottish single malts and Scotch ales — provides a structural sweetness that prevents the aggressive hopping from becoming a one-dimensional floral and citrus bomb. That thoughtful balance earned a 93/100 from Beer & Brewing Magazine and over 289,000 ratings on Untappd. In a crowded IPA market where many breweries chase haze and juice, Centennial IPA remains a clean, assertive, West Coast–leaning statement that rewards drinkers who value hop clarity over trend-chasing.
