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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Silphium (4337) reviewed
Black Sunshine from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
5.6/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 5 Flavor 5 Texture 6 Overall 5.5
On tap at Founders. Deep murky black-brown body, medium off-white head. Lightly toasty chocolatey aroma. Rather thin, light body with toast, chocolate, and a light bite on the tongue. A touch grassy but little wheat character on the whole. An underwhelming beer with very little flavor and complexity.
Tried from Draft on 03 May 2006 at 20:29
Silphium (4337) reviewed
White Sunshine Weiss from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
6.9/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 6.5
On tap at Founders. Hazy pale banana yellow body, thin off-white head. Spicy aroma with clove and banana and an interesting tropical fruit kick, including pineapple. Atypical wit flavor of pineapple and lemon, flowery and spicy. Anise and pepper hints. Very interesting take on a style with well-defined boundaries.
Tried from Draft on 03 May 2006 at 20:27
Ungstrup (52439) reviewed
Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
7.8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
A pitch black beer with a thin brown head. The aroma is sweet with quite a lot of alcohol, while the flavor is very sweet with strong notes of roasted malt besides a strong alcohol presence. The body is very thick - almost like syrup.
Tried on 03 May 2006 at 16:05
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Scalawag from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
6.6/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
On tap at Founders. One of a handful of beers (others including the Imperial Brown Ale and Strong Ale) that started as batches of the now-bottled Curmudgeon, but weren’t up to par. Ruddy orange-brown body, thin buff head. Caramely body, prickly sweet, with brown sugar and alcohol notes. Unfortunately there was an off-flavor, likely diacetyl, that muddied the flavor profile. Sweet, thick, and strong, but lacking character and complexity. I’ll have to try the bottled Curmudgeon to see how it compares.
Tried from Draft on 02 May 2006 at 21:02
SpringsLicker (4049) reviewed
Rübæus from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
6.5/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 7
Thanks to Illinismitty for this. Huge fizzy (overcarbonated) pink head that lasts forever before slipping into the glass to form a bright, light cherry red colored body. Nice fresh raspberry aroma. Tart berry flavor delivered with a spritzy palate. I didnt care for this especially, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this beer if you like this style.
Tried on 25 Apr 2006 at 18:58
notalush (7406) reviewed
Black Rye from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8.2/10 — Appearance 10 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
Very dark brown with huge, foamy off-white head - very woody hop aroma, with background caramel malt - dry dry, mineral qualities - quite hoppy and piney - the rye is very evident and tasty - balancing background chocolatey malt sweetness - a fine rye ale.
Tried on 24 Apr 2006 at 17:15
notalush (7406) reviewed
KBS from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 9 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
Bottled - Sometimes, when you take a great beer and age it in a boubon barrel, the magic of the original is lost - this is not the case here - the breakfast stout, in all its glory, is enhanced by a mild whiskey, wood and vanilla/cream flavor - not overpowering in the slightest - an elegant barrel-aged beer, which is a rare thing indeed - however, it is not really different enough from the original to justify the nearly doubled price tag.
Tried from Bottle on 23 Apr 2006 at 17:13
oh6gdx (52920) reviewed
Black Rye from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
7.6/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Bottled, thanks heemer77. Dark brownish ruby colour, mediumsized brown foamish bubbly head. Mainly roasted malts in aroma, same in flavour. So why is this an ale? It could as well be a porter, as I have had stuff called porter which has been crappier than this. A bit to the waterier side as for the palate, but flavour is wellfilled with roasted malts, old coffee and more roast.
Tried from Bottle on 16 Apr 2006 at 06:27
TBone (31510) reviewed
Black Rye from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
8/10 — Appearance 10 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
Bottled
Almost opaque black/brown, good creamy brown head. Toasty aroma of roasted bread. Porter-like roasted, cold coffee flavor. Sweetness and light hops in the finish, coffee in the aftertaste. Alcohol is quite hidden. Some smoked/tobacco notes but not much rye found.
Tried from Bottle on 16 Apr 2006 at 06:25
mrbunn (3093) reviewed
Dirty Bastard from Founders Brewing Co.
20 years ago
7.9/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
Aromas of are sweet and earthy... Body is a fairly dark brown with some reddish tones and head is a minimal film. Flavor is sweet, of caramel and some fruity flavors. Much thicker mouthfeel than expected from a scotch. Almost has a brandywine character due to sweet syrupiness.
Tried on 11 Apr 2006 at 22:16