Founders Pale Ale | Founders Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Founders Brewing Company
Michigan, United States
foundersbrewing.com
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.40%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
100% Cascade hops.
35 IBU
Added by BeerAdvocate on 06-10-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 829 | Ratings: 2,723
3.67/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
I'm not the biggest fan of pale ales ever, but this was quite drinkable. Balanced, the hops aren't as overpowering as they are on some similar beers. I'll be looking for this again in the future.
★ 197 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
I'm not the biggest fan of pale ales ever, but this was quite drinkable. Balanced, the hops aren't as overpowering as they are on some similar beers. I'll be looking for this again in the future.
★ 197 characters
3.66/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Gives those yellow pale ale appearance feels, 1/2" white head, 'bout average retention. Aroma hit those grapefruit and something less bitter kind of citrus vibe, its a good dry hop feel.
Light pale honey toasted malts, 50 ibu territory, plenty of c hops without crystal malt weighing it down. Not gonna blow me away or make me forget about SNPA, but its decent stuff. No its good stuff.
★ 392 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Gives those yellow pale ale appearance feels, 1/2" white head, 'bout average retention. Aroma hit those grapefruit and something less bitter kind of citrus vibe, its a good dry hop feel.
Light pale honey toasted malts, 50 ibu territory, plenty of c hops without crystal malt weighing it down. Not gonna blow me away or make me forget about SNPA, but its decent stuff. No its good stuff.
★ 392 characters
4.38/5 rDev +18.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on 03/01/16
Pours a slightly hazy amber orange with a creamy off-white foam head. Smells like grapefruit, mild orange citrus, some sweet malt, and woody earthy floral grass. Tastes like fresh grapefruit, sweet malt, some spice, mild orange citrus, with floral pine and woody earthy grass. Feels medium bodied, creamy with low carbonation. Overall a nice and refreshing pale ale.
★ 387 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on 03/01/16
Pours a slightly hazy amber orange with a creamy off-white foam head. Smells like grapefruit, mild orange citrus, some sweet malt, and woody earthy floral grass. Tastes like fresh grapefruit, sweet malt, some spice, mild orange citrus, with floral pine and woody earthy grass. Feels medium bodied, creamy with low carbonation. Overall a nice and refreshing pale ale.
★ 387 characters
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Solid pale ale. This was good on tap; refreshing without an overpowering taste. Amount of hops and flavor was good for those who are not all in on the IPAs that are prevalent today, but like a little flavor in their beer. Would buy again.
★ 238 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Solid pale ale. This was good on tap; refreshing without an overpowering taste. Amount of hops and flavor was good for those who are not all in on the IPAs that are prevalent today, but like a little flavor in their beer. Would buy again.
★ 238 characters
3.18/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
**
02/23/2014
Aroma is light fruit and spice. Light yellow pour. Medium white head. Spice, slight soapy. OK. On tap at Blend.
**
09/24/15....with NITRO. (note: nitro version not included in ratings, looks like there is a separate BA entry.)
On tap at blend again, but with nitro added on cask. A nice difference. Really smooth and creamy with the nitro.
**
★ 363 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
**
02/23/2014
Aroma is light fruit and spice. Light yellow pour. Medium white head. Spice, slight soapy. OK. On tap at Blend.
**
09/24/15....with NITRO. (note: nitro version not included in ratings, looks like there is a separate BA entry.)
On tap at blend again, but with nitro added on cask. A nice difference. Really smooth and creamy with the nitro.
**
★ 363 characters
4.11/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Citrus hops with a fruit floral finish. Moderate to excellent lacing. Good to excellent taste and I have yet to have a Founders beer I didn't like as of yet.
★ 159 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Citrus hops with a fruit floral finish. Moderate to excellent lacing. Good to excellent taste and I have yet to have a Founders beer I didn't like as of yet.
★ 159 characters
4.04/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I like the citrus fruit forward aroma. I get some pineapple and mango. I get some fruit cup, with a small trace of cherries in there. Solid beer and easy to drink,
★ 163 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I like the citrus fruit forward aroma. I get some pineapple and mango. I get some fruit cup, with a small trace of cherries in there. Solid beer and easy to drink,
★ 163 characters
3.72/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Founders is in Orange County for good!! So naturally, a tasting of what I could find was in order. To start off, a single 12 ounce bottle of the dry-hopped pale ale. On to the beer:
This pale ale has a bright orange color and light whipped lacing. It's a clean and crisp pale ale, with soft floral, honey, and lemon aromas teasing your nose. A simple taste, refreshing to say the least. Clean with honey, biscuit, and floral hops from start to finish. For Founders, it's a safe starting point.
★ 494 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Founders is in Orange County for good!! So naturally, a tasting of what I could find was in order. To start off, a single 12 ounce bottle of the dry-hopped pale ale. On to the beer:
This pale ale has a bright orange color and light whipped lacing. It's a clean and crisp pale ale, with soft floral, honey, and lemon aromas teasing your nose. A simple taste, refreshing to say the least. Clean with honey, biscuit, and floral hops from start to finish. For Founders, it's a safe starting point.
★ 494 characters
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
350 cl bottle, best by a month from now. Pours a clear amber with a short-lived white head. Smells of honey, toast and a bit of resinous and citrus hops. Very well balanced taste, sweet and a bit bitter, with notes of honey, citrus and pine. Smooth and oily mouthfeel with medium carbonation.
★ 292 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
350 cl bottle, best by a month from now. Pours a clear amber with a short-lived white head. Smells of honey, toast and a bit of resinous and citrus hops. Very well balanced taste, sweet and a bit bitter, with notes of honey, citrus and pine. Smooth and oily mouthfeel with medium carbonation.
★ 292 characters
3.81/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Pours dark honey orange with a off white head, a good amount of carbonation streaming up the glass, some lacing, a little head retention, it's a little cloudy.
A: Subtle aromas of grapefruit, pine, malt, hint of oranges, biscuits, bread.
T: Grapefruit, some pine, moderate amount of bitterness in the middle, finish is piney, hint of honey, slight pepper, citrus zest, solid.
M: Medium light with a good amount of carbonation, semi-dry finish.
O: Pretty solid, I would improve with some more hop aroma and flavors, overall a good APA, nice balance of hops and malt, good amount of carbonation.
★ 642 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Pours dark honey orange with a off white head, a good amount of carbonation streaming up the glass, some lacing, a little head retention, it's a little cloudy.
A: Subtle aromas of grapefruit, pine, malt, hint of oranges, biscuits, bread.
T: Grapefruit, some pine, moderate amount of bitterness in the middle, finish is piney, hint of honey, slight pepper, citrus zest, solid.
M: Medium light with a good amount of carbonation, semi-dry finish.
O: Pretty solid, I would improve with some more hop aroma and flavors, overall a good APA, nice balance of hops and malt, good amount of carbonation.
★ 642 characters
3.83/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours almost identical to SNPA and Liberty Ale, light amber tinge to a mostly gold body, a white fluffy head with good retention. Aroma is similar to those previously listed beers as well (no surprise)...light mixture of grapefruit, mild earthy pepper, some pine. Taste has a bit of a twang up front, but is smooth bodied and finishes with light bitterness. Not a typical hop bomb from Founders per say...but tasty none the less!
★ 429 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours almost identical to SNPA and Liberty Ale, light amber tinge to a mostly gold body, a white fluffy head with good retention. Aroma is similar to those previously listed beers as well (no surprise)...light mixture of grapefruit, mild earthy pepper, some pine. Taste has a bit of a twang up front, but is smooth bodied and finishes with light bitterness. Not a typical hop bomb from Founders per say...but tasty none the less!
★ 429 characters
3.68/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottled 10/7/15.
Pours a murky dark honey orange with a foamy tan head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of biscuit, citrus fruit, and floral aromas. Taste is much the same with biscuit, floral, citrus zest, and pine needle flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a nice mix of different hop qualities all around.
Serving type: bottle.
★ 593 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottled 10/7/15.
Pours a murky dark honey orange with a foamy tan head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of biscuit, citrus fruit, and floral aromas. Taste is much the same with biscuit, floral, citrus zest, and pine needle flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a nice mix of different hop qualities all around.
Serving type: bottle.
★ 593 characters
2.46/5 rDev -33.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Look - Hazy orange/copper with a finger frothy head that quickly got lost. No lacing.
Smell - almost like a malty grapefruit mixed with possibly orange. very faint
Taste - Grapefruit but otherwise bland just bitter
Feel - Medium bodied with some creaminess but not much life.
Overall -Save your money my letter grade would be a D+
★ 336 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Look - Hazy orange/copper with a finger frothy head that quickly got lost. No lacing.
Smell - almost like a malty grapefruit mixed with possibly orange. very faint
Taste - Grapefruit but otherwise bland just bitter
Feel - Medium bodied with some creaminess but not much life.
Overall -Save your money my letter grade would be a D+
★ 336 characters
3.64/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz, bottled 9/22/15.
Look: Soapy bubbles with lots of head. Golden amber..
Smell: Citrus and fresh cut grass.
Taste: Mild citrus and pines.
Feel: Watery.
Overall: East drinking like a session.
★ 196 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz, bottled 9/22/15.
Look: Soapy bubbles with lots of head. Golden amber..
Smell: Citrus and fresh cut grass.
Taste: Mild citrus and pines.
Feel: Watery.
Overall: East drinking like a session.
★ 196 characters
3.77/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a golden orange color with a two finger rocky white head. Aroma is pine and grapefruit, pretty classic cascade aroma. Taste is more of the same with pine, light grapefruit. Mouthfeel is thin to medium and a touch drying. Overall a nice pale ale that is plenty drinkable and well made.
★ 294 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a golden orange color with a two finger rocky white head. Aroma is pine and grapefruit, pretty classic cascade aroma. Taste is more of the same with pine, light grapefruit. Mouthfeel is thin to medium and a touch drying. Overall a nice pale ale that is plenty drinkable and well made.
★ 294 characters
3.27/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Had this on nitro. A tad unnecessary, but good baguette aftertaste.
Very simple, good lacing. Cant tell the head I had it nitro. Average malts, honestly. Ok for bar, not ok for real enjoyment. 2.8
PS., citrusly smell but failed.
★ 230 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Had this on nitro. A tad unnecessary, but good baguette aftertaste.
Very simple, good lacing. Cant tell the head I had it nitro. Average malts, honestly. Ok for bar, not ok for real enjoyment. 2.8
PS., citrusly smell but failed.
★ 230 characters
3.71/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Founder’s has some great brews and this pale ale has a mild 5.4% ABV, but looks like it is quite a tasty variety so let’s take a gulp.
Look-It pours a clear amber gold with a copper hue and some dark golden overtones. The head is a thin film that reminds me of a yeasty foam.
Smell-It has a muted aroma unfortunately, but it is pleasantly malt forward with a tinge of honey and citrus.
Taste-The malts are present on at first and are caramel, honey, and toasted malts with a decent hop backbone. I get citrus and some grass notes.
Mouthfeel-It feels medium-bodied and smooth. There is a spiciness to it also. The coating on the tongue is resinous and oily.
Overall-It is a pale ale after all, so I’ll go easy on this one, but at the same time I have had a couple other pale ales that were much better. That being said, this was well balanced and refreshing.
★ 870 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Founder’s has some great brews and this pale ale has a mild 5.4% ABV, but looks like it is quite a tasty variety so let’s take a gulp.
Look-It pours a clear amber gold with a copper hue and some dark golden overtones. The head is a thin film that reminds me of a yeasty foam.
Smell-It has a muted aroma unfortunately, but it is pleasantly malt forward with a tinge of honey and citrus.
Taste-The malts are present on at first and are caramel, honey, and toasted malts with a decent hop backbone. I get citrus and some grass notes.
Mouthfeel-It feels medium-bodied and smooth. There is a spiciness to it also. The coating on the tongue is resinous and oily.
Overall-It is a pale ale after all, so I’ll go easy on this one, but at the same time I have had a couple other pale ales that were much better. That being said, this was well balanced and refreshing.
★ 870 characters
3.53/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light half finger head, not much retention nor lacing. Light amber body, some cloudiness with no sediments. On the Nose, caramel malts straight up front, with hints of honey. Pretty absent after that. On the Palate. Fresh pine straight forward, a little sweet and fairly pungent caramel malts, with some hints of almost-burnt-toast. Finishes semi-dry and slightly creamy.
★ 379 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light half finger head, not much retention nor lacing. Light amber body, some cloudiness with no sediments. On the Nose, caramel malts straight up front, with hints of honey. Pretty absent after that. On the Palate. Fresh pine straight forward, a little sweet and fairly pungent caramel malts, with some hints of almost-burnt-toast. Finishes semi-dry and slightly creamy.
★ 379 characters
2.74/5 rDev -25.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Look - Clear copper with a two finger frothy head that quickly got lost. No lacing.
Smell - Malt forward as all hell, but nothing else...uh oh.non
Taste - Well the malts are present...as well as a tad bit of grapefruit but otherwise bland.
Feel - Medium bodied with some creaminess but not much life.
Overall - This was a founders beer? Are you sure?
★ 354 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Look - Clear copper with a two finger frothy head that quickly got lost. No lacing.
Smell - Malt forward as all hell, but nothing else...uh oh.non
Taste - Well the malts are present...as well as a tad bit of grapefruit but otherwise bland.
Feel - Medium bodied with some creaminess but not much life.
Overall - This was a founders beer? Are you sure?
★ 354 characters
3.9/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A tasty pale ale. Well balanced with the malt. It almost has a creamy mouthfeel. But the hops are there. The grapefruit and pine hoppiness is medium. But you will know you're having a pale ale not a overly bitter IPA. I'm glad I have a six and I'll have this again!
★ 265 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A tasty pale ale. Well balanced with the malt. It almost has a creamy mouthfeel. But the hops are there. The grapefruit and pine hoppiness is medium. But you will know you're having a pale ale not a overly bitter IPA. I'm glad I have a six and I'll have this again!
★ 265 characters
3.73/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Look - Golden light color
Smell - Minor hoppy aroma with small malt backbone
Taste - Malty with a small hop backbone
Feel - Chewy mouthfeel
This may have been out of date, I feel like this should have been a lot better, will check this out again.
★ 246 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Look - Golden light color
Smell - Minor hoppy aroma with small malt backbone
Taste - Malty with a small hop backbone
Feel - Chewy mouthfeel
This may have been out of date, I feel like this should have been a lot better, will check this out again.
★ 246 characters
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours an orange amber color.
Overall: This is a mildly sweet beer with a nice dry hoppy finish. This is definitely in the style of pale ales. Good bitter beer for the hop heads. Very good IPA not too overwhelming.
★ 227 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours an orange amber color.
Overall: This is a mildly sweet beer with a nice dry hoppy finish. This is definitely in the style of pale ales. Good bitter beer for the hop heads. Very good IPA not too overwhelming.
★ 227 characters
3.81/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Picked up a sixer of these, pretty decent. More citrus than im used to, definite grapefruit flavor. Aroma followed the flavor, tart very malty. Deep orange color. Pretty accurate rating on here IMO.
★ 198 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Picked up a sixer of these, pretty decent. More citrus than im used to, definite grapefruit flavor. Aroma followed the flavor, tart very malty. Deep orange color. Pretty accurate rating on here IMO.
★ 198 characters
3.97/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, orange amber colored with a large white head that lingers leaving good lacing, clear
S: grapefruit and pine, light malt, well balanced nose, slightly peppery, a little citrus fruit
T: pretty bitter up front, grapefruit peel, orange, light pine
M: creamier than expected
★ 321 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, orange amber colored with a large white head that lingers leaving good lacing, clear
S: grapefruit and pine, light malt, well balanced nose, slightly peppery, a little citrus fruit
T: pretty bitter up front, grapefruit peel, orange, light pine
M: creamier than expected
★ 321 characters
Founders Pale Ale from Founders Brewing Company
3.7
out of 5
based on 2,723 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours golden with a half-inch head. A very drinkable pale ale. Light citrus hops and even lighter malt. A nice middle of the road six pack for two guys - one who likes craft and one who likes cheap and normal.
★ 209 characters