Founders Harvest Ale
Founders makes some fantastic beers. I love their stuff. But I think I’m about to give their highest score yet. This stuff is liquid gold. One of the best tasting, easiest beers to drink that I’ve ever had. Harvest Ale is a Wet Hop Ale. My buddy Aaron over at The Vice Blog also recently reviewed this beer and he loved it too. In his review he also posted a link to an article about Wet Hop beers. You can check out the article here.
Harvest Ale pours a nice clear golden color. Tons of bubbles shoot from the bottom to the top of the glass. A thin layer of head is poured. The smell on this beer is awesome. Fresh and I mean fresh pine and citrus backed by a small amount of caramel malt. Just a fantastic fresh smell. OK I think I mentioned it was fresh enough.
The taste on this beer matches the smell. I could easily drink this stuff all night long and if this wasn’t a seasonal beer this would be in my fridge at all times. When you find this beer, make sure to drink it as soon as possible. Fresher the better when it comes to this brew. The taste is full of citrus and a small amount of grapefruit. Piney with a nice earthy malt background. Bitter, clear, dry from start to finish. Crisp with perfect carbonation.
Not much more to say about this beer other that to date this is my favorite Founders beer. Taste and drinkability are amazing.
Found: Grape and Gourmet, Virginia Beach, VA
Price: 2-4 dollars a bottle
Website: http://www.foundersbrewing.com/
What the company says: This liquid dream pours a hazy golden orange straw color with a large puffy white two-finger head. First sip of this beer rewards with a super juicy hop presence bursting with fresh orange and lemon citrus then continues to introduce toasted malt undertones.
ABV%: 6.50%
Other beers to try from this brewery: Founders Double Trouble, Founders Breakfast Stout
Other beers to try within the same style: Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale, Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale
Rating: A
I just had this one recently too. It’s the best of the Founders brews I have had so far. http://www.mikelovesbeer.com/archives/2009/11/04/founders-harvest-ale/
Either I give big grades or you are rough on grading =) Great beer. Loved it.
I think anything above C as a good beer. I don’t think it is the best wet hop. The Sierra Nevada Harvest Wet Hop is probably my favorite one.
I agree Dave. I feel somewhat silly saying it–what with all their more “famous” beers–but I think this is the best Founders I’ve ever had.
So far I’ve only had Founders Breakfast Stout, but this one looks like a don’t-miss. I’ll try to pick one up on my next trip to the beer aisle. I love finding new stuff – thanks, Dave!
Finally tried Founders Harvest Ale this weekend and it was excellent. It now is at the top of my list of great IPAs, especially for folks who aren’t IPA fans. It’s so creamy and sweet, just a terrific beer. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Dave!
Jim,
Glad you liked it. It’s an excellent beer. Sad it’s seasonal.