Foundation Epiphany

During my recent trip to Maine I was able to visit an array of breweries, but there were a few I was disappointed to miss. The sheer number of breweries that line the Maine coastline is impressive, and it is hard to balance visits to old favorites along with checking out new spots. One favorite that I was sad to miss was Foundation Brewing Company in Portland. I stopped by Foundation last spring and had a great time, the crew at the brewery were welcoming and engaging and the beer was delicious. In the last year Foundation has started canning some of their offerings and their IPA Epiphany in particular has started to build significant buzz. I had hoped to grab some on my way north, I was already visiting their neighbors Allagash and Bissell Brothers, but they didn’t open until a couple hours later and I couldn’t wait around (the trials and tribulations of traveling with an infant). I ended up getting lucky though! I visited my good friend Russell during the trip and he’s a beer enthusiast. Russell had one beer he really wanted me to try and write up, none other than a tall boy can of Foundation Epiphany. Foundation Epiphany is brewed with Columbus, Cascade, Citra, Ella and Mosaic hops and is available year-round, but the 16 oz. cans are only produced once a month and they sell out quickly.

Foundation Epiphany pours a hazy deep orange with a moderate white head. The scent is a monstrous burst of hops, citrus fruit and resin. The taste is also very hop forward, notes of grapefruit, mango, pine and orange along with solid but not overwhelming bitterness. This is balanced by a noticeable malt backbone, touches of whole grain bread and caramel. The beer finishes clean with just a hint of lingering hop flavor, and drinks incredibly smooth for 8% ABV. Foundation Epiphany is an incredibly good IPA, it easily earns a place in the conversation for the best IPA in Maine, a field that is becoming more and more crowded. It is no wonder that Epiphany has become one of the beers people seek out when they travel to Vacationland. I’m really glad I got a chance to try it! Hoppy Boston score: 4.75/5.