The Beeronaut

Beer Preview: Founders 4 Giants IIPA

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I’m working at home now, sitting by the computer and waiting for clients to send things to do. But last week, I did get a new beer sent to me for my comment by Founders Brewing Co. of Grand Rapids, MI.

I set up in my beer bunker, or rather cellar, and tried their 4 Giants Imperial India Pale Ale. The initial information from them said only that they had created a recipe based on four of their previous IIPA’s, but not which ones. Since I recorded this review, they’ve listed the base brands: Sleeper Cell, Grease Monkey, 10K, and Double Trouble. I’ve only had Double Trouble, but let’s pop it open:

It pours a slightly dark amber color, under a big head of foam. My first sniff was of Amarillo hops. Some pine and resin in the nose, and, I think, a bit of tropical fruit, even pineapple.

The first taste is very hoppy, more bitter, then some resin comes in. Next up is a malty profile, kind of big, but not enough to over come the hops. Alcohol is apparent. This goes very big in bitterness, which overwhelms any floral or aromatic hop note.

Definitely a stand-alone beer.

Filed under:
Beer Review

Tags:
Founders Brewing, Imperial IPA