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Founders Harvest Ale

Founders Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · IPA · One of 116 IPAs in hopIQ

Founders Harvest Ale is the brewery's annual wet-hop IPA. At harvest time, local growers deliver freshly picked hop cones that go into the brew unkilned and without delay. The result is a 7.6 percent IPA with a bright, green hop aroma of fresh pine, honeydew melon and citrus over a light caramel malt base. Bitterness is pronounced, and the fresh hops lend a green, slightly grassy edge to the finish.

ABV
7.6%
Bitterness
Very bitter70 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all IPA alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Bone-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Sharp bitter finish.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Assertively bitter and very dry.

The malt sets the frame and lets the hops carry the flavour.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another IPA.
Hop character
hoppy
piney
citrusy
grassy
resinous
tropical
Malt character
caramel
honey
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Founders Harvest Ale

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, white head that clings to the glass with fine lacing. The carbonation is lively, evident in the steady stream of small bubbles rising through the body. The overall presentation is clean and inviting, typical of a well-crafted pale ale.

pale goldenclearfine lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by fresh, green hop character with pronounced notes of pine and citrus. Honeydew melon sweetness rises above a light caramel malt base, creating a balanced backdrop. The wet-hop character is unmistakable—grassy and herbal undertones suggest recently processed hop cones with minimal kiln treatment.

fresh pinehoneydew melonbright citrusgrassy, herbal

◐ Taste

The palate opens with moderate sweetness from the caramel malt, quickly eclipsed by pronounced bitterness from the 70 IBUs. Mid-palate reveals the same citrus and melon notes from the aroma, interwoven with a green, slightly grassy edge. The fresh hops dominate the flavor profile without becoming harsh, while the malt provides enough body to ground the bitter finish.

pronounced bitternesscitrus, melongreen hop edgeclean malt backbone

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with bitterness fading to a grassy, herbal aftertaste that persists for several seconds. The fresh-hop character remains present throughout, reinforcing the brewery's commitment to immediate processing.

dry finishherbal aftertastelingering bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
81
Appearance
82
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Founders Harvest Ale

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Founders Harvest Ale

About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same bitter, hoppy, piney character as Founders Harvest Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other IPAs in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all IPA beers in hopIQ →New to IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →