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Imperial Centennial IPA

Founders Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Double IPA · One of 152 Double IPAs in hopIQ

Imperial Centennial IPA joined the range in 2026 as a stronger take on Centennial IPA, brewed to 9.2 percent with the same single hop and the same grist of Golden Promise, Munich and crystal malts. The aroma is denser: grapefruit, orange and pine lead, with a note of bubblegum behind them. Smooth caramel malt carries the body, bitterness is moderate, and the finish is lightly sweet and noticeably warming.

ABV
9.2%
Bitterness
Very bitter65 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber9
See all Double 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 Double IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
piney
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
Fermentation & yeast
bubblegumfruity

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Imperial Centennial IPA

◎ Appearance

Deep golden amber with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass in delicate rings. The body carries sufficient depth of color characteristic of the Double IPA style, while carbonation appears lively and well-integrated.

deep golden amberpersistent headbright clarity

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bold citrus notes—grapefruit and orange peel dominate—layered beneath a resinous pine character. A subtle bubblegum note emerges on closer inspection, adding a touch of sweetness that balances the hop-forward profile without compromising the beer's assertive aromatic presence.

citrus-forwardresinous pinebubblegum sweetness

◐ Taste

The palate enters with a smooth caramel maltiness from the Golden Promise, Munich, and crystal malt base, grounding the beer's higher alcohol content. Bitterness remains moderate and integrated—approximately 65 IBU—allowing the hop character to shine without overwhelming; the single Centennial hop varietal delivers a clean, measured finish to the mid-palate.

smooth caramel maltmoderate bitternessclean hop presence

◑ Finish

The finish extends with a lightly sweet character that lingers, accompanied by a noticeable warming sensation from the 9.2% ABV. The aftertaste remains dry and slightly resinous, fading gradually without sharp edges.

lightly sweetwarming alcoholdry fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
81
Appearance
83
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Imperial Centennial IPA

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

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

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.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Imperial Centennial IPA

About Double IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Double 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 Double IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, piney, caramel character as Imperial Centennial IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Double IPAs in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Double IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →