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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Sloefmans (15815) reviewed
Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
7.3/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Jet black; deep brown, virtually purple (apt!) head, thick but dissipating. Nose with chocolate, but definitely blackcurrant wafts. Very slight tobacco and heavily roasted malt. In the taste, chocolate and coffee, very much of the latter. Burnt aftertaste, very slightly sulphury. Very heavy mouthfeel. Rich stout, but most Imperials are either more hoppy or deeper ripe-fruity.
Tried on 02 Oct 2003 at 15:49
Dogbrick (24514) reviewed
Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
8.4/10 — Appearance 10 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
This beer is a dark oily black with a thick brown head. Nice lacing. Aroma of burnt chocolate and malt. Rich and a little syrupy with a bold coffee flavor, along with roasty malt, chocolate and raisins. The finish has a little bit of alcohol and hops amid the thicker flavors to keep it from being overbearing. This is a great Imperial but it is not among the elite.
Tried on 05 Sep 2003 at 07:57
Oakes (34715) reviewed
Pale Ale from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
Golden, with a slight haze. Bready malt underpins citrus and tropical fruit aroma. Light citric hoppiness carries the body.
Tried on 29 Jul 2003 at 14:52
Clarkvv (17430) reviewed
Dirty Bastard from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
7.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
This was a wonderful surprise. The golden/yellow color and off white head, did not prepare me for the full body and complex character. It had a dry roast malt flavor up front, with some nutty malt flavors (subtle) and some hops intertwined. The alcohol was apparent but just right. There was a caramel finish, and sure, it was sweet, but not too sweet. There was astringency and some bitterness too. Definitely a bit of a change from the usual scottish style ale. Struck me as tending towards a mix between a well balanced EPA and a bock (if that can be imagined) as it was smooth and had more hops than I would expect for this style but was also a bit chewy and sweet with a slightly bitter finish.
Tried from Can on 21 Jul 2003 at 07:49
Dogbrick (24514) reviewed
Dirty Bastard from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
6.4/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
On draught at Lazy Chameleon in Powell, OH. This beer is a dark brown with a copper hue and a thin light beige head. Very little lacing. Aroma is mostly caramel malt with a little spice thrown in. The flavor was not really reminiscent of other Scotch Ales I have tried. It seemed to be leaning more toward a Brown Ale. Flavors of caramel, malt, molasses and brown sugar are all there, but not in the doses you would expect. Still, it is not a bad beer. The finish is more bitter than most Scotch Ales as well.
Tried from Draft at Lazy Chameleon on 06 Jul 2003 at 08:22
Clarkvv (17430) reviewed
Weizenbier from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
5.8/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 5 Texture 6 Overall 6
Golden Color, no head. Lots of big yeast particles floating around. Smells yeasty with a tiny bit of lemon and a nice hops aroma. Begins sharp and lemony and hops jump out. Ends dry and even with a flat, light-honey taste. Medium bodied but has not much appeal after initial notes, and as it warms, flavor seems to leave almost entirely. Though it does start out fairly complex. A bit fizzy at the start though and needs to be drank very cool around 50 degrees. Interesting enough, though, not bad. Will try more Founders.
Tried on 02 Jul 2003 at 17:48
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Porter from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
7.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
One definition for porter is "janitor," which I do say is a fitting epithet for a style lurking in the shadow of its elder sibling, the stout. That said, this porter is a nice addition to the Founders line. Dark and malty, with a rich roasted/burnt aroma and flavor of coffee and chocolate. If you like this porter, hit the brewery and try the Breakfast Stout if it is available; the stout is like a supercharged version of this porter.
Tried on 08 Jun 2003 at 22:00
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Dirty Bastard from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
7.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Poured a dark amber, and developed a thin tan head. The basic recipe for this one seems to be as follows: take an amber ale, and add twigs, berries, molasses, dark fruits, feces, and smarm. Top it off with 10%/90% SARS/sorbitol solution and fermented maxi pads. In other words, if you find a hypodermic needle in your bottle, go back to the establishment you purchased it from and pay them double. A previous reviewer had it right: the malts leave you feeling violated, filthy, and self-pitying. Woe to he who dares tame the Dirty Bastard.
Tried from Bottle on 04 Jun 2003 at 18:49
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Centennial IPA from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
7.2/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
This beer has the most pungent, bitter hops aroma known to man...or at least known to me. Body is thick, cloudy, and sediment-laden. Flavor is strong: floral hops with a malt backbone. The overall feel is powerful. Not my favorite IPA, though, and there is something about this beer that lowers my overall impression, although I can't seem to pinpoint what it is that bothers me about this beer.
Tried from Can on 02 Jun 2003 at 16:53
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Amber Ale from Founders Brewing Co.
23 years ago
7.6/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Another nice Michigan Amber. Pours amber (read: surprise!) with a thin tan/white head. There is a slight hint of candy in the flavor and aftertaste, which is largely grainy malt. I may be suffering from Amber withdrawal; I do not remember enjoying the style as much as I do now prior to my ratebeer days.
Tried from Can on 02 Jun 2003 at 16:19