Founders Centennial IPA 6Pk Cans

Founders Centennial IPA 6Pk Cans is a 7.2% ABV American IPA from Grand Rapids, Michigan, single-hopped exclusively with Centennial hops in a 6-pack of 12 oz cans. Recognized as a benchmark beer by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) — the standard used across all sanctioned American beer competitions — this IPA earned a 93/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and a 92 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 9,000 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.2%  |  Origin: Grand Rapids, Michigan  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Founders Brewing Company (formally Canal Street Brewing Co., LLC) operates out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city that has become one of America's most respected craft beer destinations. Centennial IPA relies entirely on a single hop variety — Centennial — used throughout the brew, from bittering additions through a distinctive dry-hopping stage. What separates this beer from many IPAs is that the dry-hop addition occurs while the beer is still actively fermenting, a technique that intensifies hop aromatics and integrates them more deeply into the finished beer rather than simply layering them on top.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a wave of floral hops — think fresh-cut pine boughs layered with grapefruit peel and a subtle bubblegum sweetness characteristic of the Centennial variety. A resinous, almost cedar-like undertone anchors the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is bright with navel orange and grapefruit citrus, giving way to a sturdy malt backbone at mid-palate that keeps the bitterness in check. The balance here is key — the sweetness from the malt never dominates, but it prevents the hop bitterness from turning astringent. Pine resin and floral notes build toward a dry, clean peak.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering grapefruit bitterness and a dry, resinous close. The crystal-clear body and clean fermentation profile ensure the hops have the final word.

How to Drink Centennial IPA

Straight from the can at a cool 45–50°F lets the hop aromatics shine without muting the malt structure. A tulip glass or shaker pint opens up the floral bouquet further.

• IPA Shandy: The grapefruit-forward profile pairs naturally with fresh lemonade for a hoppy warm-weather drink.
• Hop Drop 'n Roll (beer cocktail): Combine with a splash of fresh grapefruit juice and a dash of honey to amplify the citrus notes.
• Michelada: The pine and resin character stands up to tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime — a bold twist on the classic.

Best For

• Introducing a friend to well-balanced American IPAs without extreme bitterness
• Backyard cookouts and grilling sessions where bold food demands a bold beer
• Building a craft beer tasting flight exploring single-hop expressions
• Stocking a home fridge with a reliable, award-recognized everyday IPA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Centennial IPA taste like? Centennial IPA delivers bright grapefruit and pine hop flavors balanced by a clean malt backbone, finishing dry and resinous with lingering citrus bitterness.

How does Centennial IPA compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are single-hopped American IPAs, but Two Hearted uses Centennial hops' cousin — the Centennial variety in Founders' version leans more floral and piney, while Two Hearted (hopped with Centennial as well) tends to emphasize a rounder, more tropical profile. The two are frequently compared as Midwest benchmarks of the style, with Centennial IPA tending slightly drier on the finish.

Is Centennial IPA good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the 7.2% ABV provides enough weight to stand alone, and the balanced bitterness-to-malt ratio makes it approachable without sacrificing hop intensity.

Where is Centennial IPA made? Centennial IPA is brewed by Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of the most acclaimed craft brewing cities in the United States.

What foods pair well with Centennial IPA? Spicy buffalo wings match the hop bitterness and cut through the heat. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the malty sweetness. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions mirror the beer's balance of sweet and bitter. Fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the grapefruit notes. Thai green curry works well, as the floral hops amplify the dish's aromatics.

What sizes does Centennial IPA come in? This expression is available as a 6-pack of 12 oz cans; Founders also distributes Centennial IPA in 15-pack cans, draft, and seasonal variety packs depending on market availability.

Is Centennial IPA worth the price? Centennial IPA positions as a mid-range craft IPA — given its BJCP benchmark status, a 93/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing, and a 92 on BeerAdvocate, it delivers well above its price tier.

Why Centennial IPA?

Few American IPAs carry the distinction of being selected as a style benchmark by the BJCP — the organization that literally defines what an American IPA should taste like chose this beer as a reference point. The single-hop approach strips away the complexity-for-complexity's-sake trend in modern IPAs and lets one variety do all the work, revealing just how much range Centennial hops can deliver on their own. The fermentation-stage dry-hopping technique gives the aromatics a depth that conventional post-fermentation dry-hopping often misses. For drinkers who want to understand what a well-built American IPA tastes like at its core, this is the standard.