Ah, Founders, how I love thy beer. Would that it weren’t so expensive, though. That’s always been my problem with Founders beers, I love them so much but they pretty much price themselves out of the market. Am I cheap? I prefer to think not. Still, one would be a fool not to shop around for price, as long as quality is the same, don’t you think? Case in point: Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA.

Before we bemoan the price any further, though lets acknowledge this beer by style: it’s a double India Dark Ale, or an Imperial Black IPA as Founders calls it. I still don’t like the term “Black India Pale Ale”; how can you be black and pale at the same time?

Anyway, here’s what Founders says about Dark Penance on their website:

A heavy malt foundation includes Crystal malt for sweetness and just enough Midnight Wheat malt to push the color to black. The bitterness is huge, but balanced by malt sweetness. The hop flavors and aromas range from citrus to floral to pine thanks to a delicious blend of hand-selected Chinook and Centennial hops.

Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA has an alcohol content of 8.9% by volume with a whopping 100 IBUs. Back to the price, which is as hefty as the alcohol content and IBU count: $11.99 for a 4-pack. Sorry guys, but that’s just too high.

Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA pours to a jet black color with a medium head of creamy foam and a vibrant nose of roasted malt and licorice. Taking a sip, the beer has a medium to full mouthfeel up front (but not too full for an IDA, especially an imperial one) with some dark roasted malt notes and lots of licorice. The hops hit quickly, very piney resiny to me and they add much flavor and a long dry bitterness in the finish, a very aggressive bitterness actually that works with a bit of roast in the finish to leave this dry as a bone.

This really is an excellent example of a double India Dark Ale, very possibly one of the best I’ve ever tasted. I’d give it 5 stars on quality and adherence to style, with a star off for the overly high price and/or cheating us out of two bottles.  I’d be lying, though, if I said I wouldn’t buy it again. It’s just too good, and it’s hard to blame Founders for charging a price people are all too willing to pay.

 

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 



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