Founders Brewing Co.
Regional Brewery
in
Grand Rapids,
Michigan,
United States 🇺🇸
Owned by
Mahou San Miguel
Associated with 2 Venues
Established in 1997
Contact
235 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Description
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.
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.
6.8/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 6
Overall 7
Pronounced grapefruit nose. Clear copper, thin head. Whole grapefruit. Medium body, easy carbonation. One note, but good.
Tried
from Can
on 19 Nov 2025
at 23:23
Nice barrel at room temp. Rich chocolate, smooth coffee. Spent all day waiting for Sunday night. 🦅 🦁 coming up.
Troy Parrott on fire. Heroic hat trick in Budapest to send Ireland to World Cup playoff. 🦜
Troy Parrott on fire. Heroic hat trick in Budapest to send Ireland to World Cup playoff. 🦜
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Nov 2025
at 19:53
7/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Bought locally, bottled July 24th 2025.
It pours a clear copper/gold with a finger of foam that shrinks quickly but doesn't go away completely. Lacing is excellent.
The smell is on the sweet side with big Bourbon aromas, caramel malt, light hints of grain, negligible hop presence. Big alcohol...
The taste is very boozy with the Bourbon front and center. Sweetness from it and caramel malt is pretty extreme yet isn't cloying, which I reckon is kind of a contradiction on my part. The alcohol started really big but now, it has calmed down somewhat. Just me getting used to what is going on here.
Pretty fullish body, carbonation is a bit restrained, which I like.
Interesting experiment but I probably won't drink again.
It pours a clear copper/gold with a finger of foam that shrinks quickly but doesn't go away completely. Lacing is excellent.
The smell is on the sweet side with big Bourbon aromas, caramel malt, light hints of grain, negligible hop presence. Big alcohol...
The taste is very boozy with the Bourbon front and center. Sweetness from it and caramel malt is pretty extreme yet isn't cloying, which I reckon is kind of a contradiction on my part. The alcohol started really big but now, it has calmed down somewhat. Just me getting used to what is going on here.
Pretty fullish body, carbonation is a bit restrained, which I like.
Interesting experiment but I probably won't drink again.
Tried
from Bottle
on 15 Nov 2025
at 15:16
8.4/10
Tried
from Draft
on 08 Nov 2025
at 13:57
8.4/10
—
Appearance 9
Aroma 8
Flavor 8.5
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
2023 bottle. Nice maple syrup smell as I pour into my tulip. Foamy brown head that dwindles swiftly. With my nose in the glass, I get some hot alcohol with a lighter note of maple. Taste has bourbon with extra sweetness. Kind of like an Old Fashioned. Gets heady after a few sips. The bourbon and maple are much more noticeable that any roasty malt, so it's a different beast that other Impy Stouts.
Tried
from Bottle
from
Leo's Wines and Spirits
on 08 Nov 2025
at 04:38
6.3/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5.5
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Clear gold point. Thin foamy head. Lemon and citrus notes. Hay or grass on the palate.
Tried
from Can
on 08 Nov 2025
at 01:17
7/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Lime, new plastic nose. Clear yellow, medium head, decent lace. Lemon, lime, grass. Light body, easy carbonation.
Tried
from Can
on 07 Nov 2025
at 23:45
6.5/10
Tried
on 07 Nov 2025
at 17:23
8.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8.5
Texture 9
Overall 8.5
Bottle, 2021 vintage. Coffee aroma with notes of chocolate, lactose sugar, vanilla, bourbon and oak flavors. Pours deep brown with a thin mocha brown head that has some retention and a thin ring of lacing. Starts with rich chocolate, lactose sugar and oak flavors as well as having a rich, full body and silky smooth mouthfeel. Finishes quite smooth with coffee, vanilla and bourbon flavors. Excellent.
Tried
from Bottle
from
Veterans Liquor
on 03 Nov 2025
at 01:02