Founders Harvest Ale

After some deliberation, I figured there was no proper way to follow up Andy's monumental Canadian Breakfast Stout review (A+!), but the closest I could get might actually be this other Founders brew...

Style: Wet-hopped ale / American IPA

Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Package: 12oz bottle into pint glass

ABV: 6.5%

IBUs: 70

From Founders's description:

This liquid dream pours a hazy golden orange straw color with a white, two-finger head. Your first sip of this beer rewards you with a super juicy hop presence bursting with citrus, then finishes to introduce toasted malt undertones.

Appearance: Hazy dark yellow straw. A finger and a half of frothy, bone white head that thinned rapidly. Nominal rings of sticky lacing left on the glass.

Aroma: Big citrusy notes. Slightly piney and a little sweet.

Taste: The freshest and juiciest of hops! Citrus and grapefruit dominate. Hoppy throughout, a touch sweet, with a bitter bite of a finish. Not getting much malt and, honestly, I don't mind. This is a hop-head's dream.

Mouthfeel: Solidly medium. A light resinous coating of the mouth, but still finding it smooth and very drinkable. Almost no carbonation that I could see.

Overall: Another home run from Founders. The hops star and shine brightly, as they should in this style. By far my favorite wet-hopped beer and also an excellent IPA in general. I did this tasting last week and, unfortunately, it's likely that all the Harvest Ale in this area was already gone by even then, let alone now. If you manage to still find some, don't delay in either picking it up or drinking it as this is not one to age.

(Full disclosure: This is my first experience with Founders Harvest Ale and I've been told by Harvest Ale veterans that this year's batch is extremely well done, so those who've had it before - Your mileage may have varied.)

Grade: A

Completely subjective intangible (that didn't affect the review or overall grade): I accidentally deleted the obligatory bottle cap picture I took, but it's the standard Founders hat. Label is pretty standard also, maybe even sub-par for Founders. Yadda, yadda, yadda. This is all I could think about after having this wonderful beer: