Founders &amp;#8220;All Day IPA&amp;#8221;

91&amp;#160;A-




This All Day IPA is a spring-summer seasonal created to merge a lighter, more sessionable, and less bitter ale with the fresh flavor only found in an IPA. It was a silver medal winner at GABF in 2010. The aroma is delightfully crisp, clean and fruity, smelling exactly like ruby red grapefruit topped with white sugar. The palate begins mellow and softly carbonated with a slow buildup of toasted bread pale malts. Sweet grapefruit rises to a crisp climax, then things switch directions and move into grassy hops of moderate bitterness, a rich grain flavor, and finishes off with a puckering astringent accent that tastes like lemon. Overall, the palate is very bright, and quick to rise and fall. The mouth feel runs parallel to the transitioning of flavor, always feeling clean and crisp but not quite smooth. If I had to pick a session beer, this would be in my top tier. Obviously the best feature is the drinkability, and I appreciate the intent and think they&amp;#8217;ve succeeded in toning down an IPA, but as a standalone IPA it&amp;#8217;s not good enough to compete with other options (but it isn&amp;#8217;t fair to compare it to others since drinkability was such a strong goal). The astringent finish might actually hinder the drinkability a bit, and is one of the beer&amp;#8217;s weaknesses. It still tastes great, and it would certainly be tough to only drink one of these. In the end, your satisfaction will be directly relational to your expectations. Recommended. 
4.7%
42 IBU
Grand Rapids, Michigan 