Founders Brewing Co.

Grand Rapids, MI

All Day IPA Session Beer

4.7% ABV

Lately, there’s been somewhat of resurgence of session beers – those with a lower ABV – and it’s become a much-hyped alternative to bigger and badder beers. As much as I love my bourbon barrel-aged stouts, knowing I can come home and crack open one (or two) lighter beers is a nice change.

Founders is so stranger to big beers, but with their All Day IPA, they’re reaching toward the other end of the spectrum. At just 4.7%, the beer packs all the hoppiness you’d want from a good IPA in a less hangover-inducing package.

The beer pours a slightly hazy sunset orange color. It’s almost see-through but with just a slight bit of chill haze. There’s barely a half finger of head that dissipates really fast along with very weak lacing and alcohol legs.

There’s a great, big biting pine on the nose. It’s definitely get some Cascade and Citra notes to it with big grapefruit and a little bit of pineapple and lemon. There’s a very slight astringency and a little malt sweetness, but primarily a huge pine scent.

There’s a nice hop bitterness on the front of the tongue and mild carbonation throughout the mouth. Middle of the mouth, those grapefruit and pine flavors really pop. There’s a strong malt presence on the back with a touch of a sweeter note. It clings to the back of your throat and really lingers for a long while. However, it is a clean finish, and you can definitely tell it’s a lighter IPA. It does seem a bit watery on the back, but not very much so.

I wish I could try this beer fresher. Even though the one I had was bottled only a month and a half ago, I have a feeling the hops might be a bit stronger and the finish not so malty.