Founders Dissenter Imperial IPL

An IPL is an India Pale Lager, combining the upfront hoppiness of an India Pale Ale with the body of a lager. This 8.7% ABV offering from Founders Brewing of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is the first time I have seen the IPL style made imperial (generally a fuller, higher alcohol version of a style).

The beer pours a deep golden with a light touch of orange and copper. There is a relatively short head of white foam. The aroma is mango, cantaloupe and passion fruit, with a light bit of dankness or lagery funk. The taste follows the aromas quite directly. It has a very nice fruitiness, both tangy citrus, and rich, ripe tropical and melon. The finish is moderately bitter, with a bitter tang like passion fruit skin, with a touch of grapefruit rind. The hops shine here, the malt is just a sufficient delivery device. The mouthfeel is smooth and round with a good body. Founders is always good, but this is even better than I expected.