I’ve been logging some video beer reviews on my “One Take Beer Review” YouTube playlist. I need to catch up with them here.
Founders Brewing has sent, for my consideration, some of their seasonal Civilized Brut IPA. In the rush for hazy, pastry and milkshake IPAs, the Brut style has stayed in the background. But it’s being made with a bit less of a hop bill seems to mean there’s more of it on shelves at the store, since a bit more consistency can be achieved.
As I mentioned in previous reviews, the Brut IPA style uses enzymes in fermentation, similar to the process to create light beers, that more fully ferments out the malt sugars for a drier finish. Hopping is usually minimal in fermentation, then added as a dry hop. 
Founders does not mention the hop varietals used, but it’s pretty clearly of the Pacific Northwest kind.
The pour is a clear golden yellow, with a thick slightly tan head, an attempt to match the fizz of a dry sparkling wine. The nose brings in plenty of pine resin, and then a note of apricot and strawberry. The taste is very dry as expected, which allows a sharp bitterness with minimal hops. After the first sip or two, I pick up a bit more pine in the palate, and a matching, though very slight, strawberry note, too. The aftertaste keeps the hoppiness on the tongue. There is extra effervescence that does stick around in the form a little gas, but that’s to be expected from any carbonated drink.
6.0% abv, 45 IBU. Available through March.
Filed under: Beer Review
Tags: Beer review, Brut IPA, Founders
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