Founders has put out some damn good beers. I have had experience with IPLs, as well, and they have not particularly sparked my interest. If there is a beer company that might be able to put a good beer in this bottle, I would expect Founders to stand as good a chance as any. Time to pour.
First sip is very much not what I expected. The label says IPL, the smell said IPA, but the taste says, wha? I taste a bitter kick and a sourness that doesn't seem like it's coming from the hops. There is a metallic taste in there that throws things off a bit as well. This is not a sipping beer. Everything is off about this, and it seems only right that I give it the best chance it has of getting out of this sipping hole - a big swig.
Tip-in is carbonation and piney hops with a slight glint of metal. The middle is more complex, with oranges and bread right in the middle of the mouth and a the carbonation burn heading to the sides of the mouth. The finish is unpleasant. It hits with a strong sour with pine and citrus following. I normally like very flavorful beers, and Founders is no exception, but this beer is probably just above average, based on the middle alone.
Bottom Line: Good and bad, this is a very complicated beer.