About
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.

Our taproom experience was born in 1997 in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, when our Co-Founders decided to start a brewery and realized immediately that the only way they could earn some cash (the brewery was losing money during those first years) was through bartending. With its super-casual vibe, gritty feel and amazing beer, the taproom quickly became a haven for many misfits, artists, musicians and more in Grand Rapids, outgrowing its tiny space quickly. The good news was, so did the brewery. Our entire operation moved to its current downtown Grand Rapids location 10 years ago to accommodate this growth and has since maintained the relaxed atmosphere and “all are welcome” approach to those who walk through the door. What’s next for our taproom? A second one, of course! We’re headed to Motown and hope to bring our Founders feel to the heart of the Cass Corridor in downtown Detroit.
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mrbunn (3093) reviewed
Rübæus from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
7.6/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
This has got to be the strangest looking beer I’ve had. Positively red. Like Kool-Aid with lots of fizz and a light pink head. Aroma is overwhelmingly raspberry. It’s tough to pick up anything else since it is so powerful. Flavor is tart, of raspberry and rhubarb. This is a really interesting experience, definitely worth repeating.
Tried on 12 Jun 2006 at 22:25
SpringsLicker (4049) reviewed
KBS from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
Pours thick and opaque black with a minimal tan head. Complex aroma gives off lots of cocoa, coffee, vanilla, bourbon and a touch of roasted malt. The flavor follows the aroma. The bourbon is nicely done, not overpowering but present. The chocolate and coffee support the bourbon nicely. Good enough to remain on the wants list. Thanks to Dough77 for this one.
Tried on 11 Jun 2006 at 14:35
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Gold Sunshine from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
3.6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 4 Flavor 3 Texture 2 Overall 3.5
On tap at Founders. Clearish straw-colored body, thin off-white head. Light grassy, spicy aroma. Flavor starts with dry, biscuity wheat, quickly leading to strange perfumey, spicy hops notes, which dominate the grassy flavors imparted by the wheat. The overall effect is spiked hop water with a touch of alcohol for effect. The worst beer I’ve ever tried at Founders. Thankfully a handful of stellar beers were on tap to assuage my pain.
Tried from Draft on 10 Jun 2006 at 19:43
patrick767 (7344) reviewed
Centennial IPA from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
7.2/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
bottle - Pours a very cloudy orangish brown with a two finger head that leaves some good lacing. There’s a lot of sediment, so pour slowly if you want to minimize it. There’s a strong hoppy aroma and a flavor to match. Mild citrus is in there and some malts, but the hops dominate. I think a touch more malt would have been good. The body was medium and if anything a little thin. Then comes the long, bitter finish. Good hops. This is a good IPA, but I wasn’t overwhelmed.
Tried from Bottle on 30 May 2006 at 00:05
beastiefan2k (4724) reviewed
Curmudgeon Old Ale from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
6.3/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 4 Overall 7
Bottle thanks to OhioDad. Well, here goes another ’old ale’ I wonder how different this one will be. Pours copper with a bit of lacing. Aroma is not strong could barely pick up some carmel sweetness. Taste is watery with strong alcohol-bourbon flavor and pine. Burns the throat a good deal. Mouthfeel is watery. This pretty much felt like a watery alcoholic and piney drink. Got no heavy maltiness or sweetness as I would expect from such a beer.
Tried from Bottle on 23 May 2006 at 20:15
jcr (3164) reviewed
KBS from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8.1/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
Dark brown pour with short brown head. The aroma is dominated by an earthy woodiness from the bourbon barrel. Also, strong notes of coffee and milk chocolate and lighter notes of vanilla and bourbon. The flavor is rich with coffee, chocolate and bourbon. Nice bitter finish. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Fairly clean mouthfeel with a medium finish. Very nice.
Tried on 19 May 2006 at 21:16
patrick767 (7344) reviewed
Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
bottle - Pours thick and black with a thin, brown head. The aroma is of roasted malts and coffee with a bit of alcohol. The flavor is intense dark roast malts and continues the coffee notes. The mouthfeel is thick and the 10% ABV, at least in my bottle, is fairly well masked. The finish is quite dry. It’s not too remarkable for the style, but it’s a damn good style.
Tried from Bottle on 13 May 2006 at 00:23
CloakedDagger (38094) reviewed
Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8.1/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 9 Texture 6 Overall 8.5
(Bottle 35,5 cl) Pours black and opaque with a light brown head. Vinous, raisiny aroma. Very full body with plenty of roasted malt, vinous notes and accents of dried fruits. Quite alcoholic but super delicious. 300406
Tried from Bottle on 09 May 2006 at 17:02
fiulijn (28377) reviewed
Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 9 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
Black color. Nice aroma of roasted malt, caramel and liquorice. Thick oily mouthfeel; very good malt with caramel and liquorice and roasted malt; balanced, better and more complex than the aroma let imagine. Excellent.
Tried on 06 May 2006 at 13:19
patrick767 (7344) reviewed
Breakfast Stout from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8.6/10 — Appearance 10 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 10 Overall 8.5
bottle at the Hampton tasting - mmm... coffee. Pours thick and black with a long lasting, tan head. It smells strongly of roast malts and of course... coffee. It tastes much the same. As others have said, you better like coffee. Now I don’t like cold or iced coffee, but I liked this beer a lot, so don’t worry. Full bodied and delicious with a pleasant finish, this is an excellent beer. I really thought it would be considered an imperial stout given how heavy it is, but no matter.
Tried from Bottle on 06 May 2006 at 00:08