When a city is nicknamed “Beer City USA”, you expect to find some amazing breweries there. And as the largest in that city (Grand Rapids), Founders Brewing takes on much of the spotlight.
While no one is perfect, this brewery has done an amazing job growing their brand and spreading Michigan Craft Beer across the nation.
Let’s take a deeper look at who Founders Brewing is, how they got their start, why you should visit them, and which of their beers to try.
Check Out This Beer Review: Founders KBS
Origin Story
Every brewery has a story and Founders Brewing starts much like many others – a couple of guys wanted to start a brewery . . . so in 1997 Founders Brewing was established in downtown Grand Rapids.
I’m over simplifying it as there was lots of planning and risk involved as the owners, Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers, quit their jobs to pursue brewery ownership.
Early customers noted that the beer was very good but was “unremarkable”. This was a result of making beer that they thought everyone would like.
Needless to say, there were struggles the first few years. The owners worked as the bartenders in their own taproom to earn money and keep things moving.
In an attempt to save the brewery, they decided to stop making beer that they thought would have mass appeal and focus on they type of beer that they would enjoy.
This inspired them to make Dirty Bastard. This scotch ale is big, bold and in your face – especially for that time. They discovered that there was a market for beers like this and it completely changed the course of their company.
From there, they developed a simple philosophy; “We don’t brew beer for the masses. Instead, our beers are crafted for a chosen few, a small cadre of renegades and rebels who enjoy a beer that pushes the limits of what is commonly accepted as taste. In short, we make beer for people like us.”
And while they have grown quite large, their beers continue to follow this mindset. Luckily, more of the masses have found their way into their “cadre of renegades and rebels”.
Learn More About Their History Here
The Beer
A brewery as large as Founders Brewing is going to have a very wide product line. While they started out making beer that was unique for their time, they’ve been able to expand to meet the needs of the masses along the way.
But that doesn’t mean their beer is boring or bland. It just means that they make beer that has wide appeal.
They breakdown their beer into a few different categories: Year Round, Seasonal, Limited and Barrel-aged. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts.
- All Day IPA
- Hoppy, Sessionable, Crowd Pleaser
- Breakfast Stout
- One Of Their All Time Fan Favorites
- Dirty Bastard
- The One That Started It All
- Solid Gold
- Their Easy Going, Mass Appeal Lager
- KBS
- Annually Released Barrel-Aged Stout
- Sumatra Mountain
- Big Coffee Flavor On Top Of A Malty Brown Ale
- Green Zebra
- Refreshing Watermelon Gose
See The Rest Of Their Lineup Here
As you can see, they have a wide variety of styles which ensures that they meet the flavor profile preferences of just about every beer drinker out there.
Much of their lineup is now available in cans and some are even packaged in 15 packs. But bottles are still used for the barrel-aged beers as well as some of their dark beer offerings.
Barrel-Aged Beers
It’s worth highlighting that Foundering Brewing has a very large barrel-aging program. Their Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) is highly regarded and sought after.
In recent years, they’ve expanded their barrel-aged releases with 6 per year. And they are not only aging dark beers, they are pushing the limits to give customers unique beers. They’ve aged malt liquor, IPAs, fruit beers, etc.
It seems like there isn’t a style that is off limits. And while not all of them are as good as the others, it’s great to see breweries still pushing the limits and giving customers something new to try.
Are They Still Craft?
Most craft beer drinkers look at Founders as a great option for high quality, full flavored craft beer. But among some groups, there is the discussion as to whether they should still be considered craft beer.
According to the Brewers Association’s definition, Founders Brewing is no longer craft beer because they sold 30% of their company to Mahou-San Miguel.
The Brewers Association requires that a brewery be small, independent and traditional to be craft beer. The outside investment means they are no longer independent.
But I think we all get to decide what we believe craft beer is or isn’t. I understand the need for additional funding to help grow a brewery but I fear that outside influences could mean negative changes for their beer.
So far, I haven’t witnessed any negative impacts. Their beer is still high quality and they are still releasing new beers to help push their brand and craft beer as a whole.
It’s worth keeping a close eye on Founders Brewing to see if this investor helps or hurts them as they grow and strive to remain relevant in the craft beer industry.
Read More On This Topic: Is Founders Still Craft?
What To Eat When You Visit
If the beer wasn’t enough reason to visit Founders Brewing, you’ve got to check out their menu.
At first glance, it seems a little simple. You’ve got some shareable items, sandwiches, salads, etc. But look a little harder and you’ll realize this menu has tons of character to it that makes it uniquely Founders.
I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting so I’m going to just guess that the food is as amazing as they make it sounds. Here are a few items that would make my short list to try:
- Beer Cheese Dip
- Bourbon Barrel-Smoked Chicken Wings
- Baked Crab Dip
- Louis A. Cornelius Sandwich
- Blushing Monk Sandwich
There are so many great options on their menu and I can easily see how each would pair quite well with their beer.
Locations
While most of us associate Founders Brewing with Grand Rapids, they also have a second location that recently opened in Detroit.
Grand Rapids
235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 776-1195
Monday to Saturday 11am – 2am Sunday 12pm – 12am
Detroit
456 Charlotte St., Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 335-3440
Sunday to Wednesday 11am – 12am Thursday to Saturday 11am – 1am
Connect With Founders Brewing Company
Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Untappd
Final Thoughts
I wasn’t in Grand Rapids when Founders Brewing opened as a small, local brewery. So I can’t speak to who they were then.
But since I’ve begun enjoying craft beer, Founders has continued to grow. And from my perspective they’ve maintained the same level of quality and character as a company. That’s impressive as they’ve taken on an outside investor and moved their beer into new markets.
While they technically fall outside of the definition of “craft beer”, I think most of us gladly pick up their beer, enjoy it, and consider them part of the craft beer community.
