Founders Brewing Company

sarahspat

Illinois

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I honestly cannot say enough good things about this establishment. A few of my nicknames for Founders are "the happiest place on earth" and "that than which nothing nothing greater can be conceived." I am a little biased; I'm in the mug club and usually go there twice a week. I can't get enough of Founders.

Their beers are amazing. I compare all other beers that I have to Founders and they never seem to stack up. I'm actually starting to become concerned that Founders has spoiled me and that my standards are ridiculously high now. I'm not exaggerating either. Founders Centennial IPA is my Favorite Beer Ever and it's difficult for me to imagine a scenario in which I would bestow this honor on any other beer.

The entire staff is amazing. Just really cool, really nice people all around. Plus, they are AMAZING at their jobs and extremely knowledgeable about beer.

The atmosphere is perfect. Anyone who complains that they lost character with the move is indulging in maudlin daydreams. The atmosphere is exactly the same...it's just bigger now. That's literally the only difference. Also, one of the best things about Founders is that it's the kind of bar where anyone can feel welcome. The Founders mug club is made up of all types of people. Our love of delicious beers (and especially Founders Brewing Company) is what unites us all. Just the way it should be.

Wednesday nights at Founders are probably the best deal in the entire craft beer world. $1.75 pints for mug club members...it honestly boggles my mind sometimes. And Monday nights are great for everyone: $2 pints!

Many of the reviews complain about the lack of selection. Of course, when they moved they had to interrupt the brewing so there was a period where they had very few beers on tap. But those days are over. They generally have at least 6 or 7 and sometimes as many as 10-12 beers on tap now.

04-12-2008 03:56:29 | More by sarahspat

Avagadro

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $

I had heard, through word-of-mouth, that CBS had been tapped. In a frantic rush, I made my way across town to Founders' relatively new location on Grandville Ave. I parked in back, and was engulfed in a sweet malty aroma. I saw steam pouring out of the ceiling vents, and deduced that the rich aroma was coming from a batch brewing inside.

A: everything about this place is dedicated to beer. No spirits, no wine, just good beer. The crowd is saturated with beer lovers, and the staff is equally enthusiastic about it. Standing out, over the custom founders chairs and the GR gentrification theme, the end of the building is a glass wall, allowing all to view the brewery in action. Brewery staff are constantly running up the stairs to the mash tub, ensuring proper temperature. Their faces stern with attention, showing that they are giving their all to produce the best product possible.

Q: the fact that the Best of BA list is riddled with their offerings is proof enough that Founders' objective is delivering quality product. The use of proper glassware reinforces this mantra, using elegant snifters wherever necessary.

S: the staff here are enthusiastic as the patrons, teeming with pride over their employer's success, and sharing the love of the delightful products that they offer.

S: while the selection is limited to their beers, they have 12 of them on tap. They are all ales, but they span a spectrum of flavor to accommodate those who can't appreciate their true gems. They also offer a ton of stuff that isn't bottled, driving you to keep coming back so that none of the works of art are ever missed.

F: while their menu is limited to appetizers and sandwhiches, the food is outstanding. The hummus and pitas are my favorite. Everything is fresh and well-crafted.

V: 7.50 for specialties, 5,50 for class two, and 3,75 for class one ales. They are well worth the money for what you are getting.

06-09-2010 18:17:01 | More by Avagadro

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

When I mention the term "experience" when talking about breweries, this place is the pinnacle of what comes to mind. This place has amongst the best beer in the country, live music (the first time I went there was a pretty good jazz band), bar games, well staffed bar, and extensive beer list. Some of the beers you find here are some of the very ones people want to see bottled far away. You will want to try these beers, so get a room. Feels like a sophisticated night club (not shallow, but tastefully done) in the evening, a family outing during the day. Front center of building opens up allows outdoor libations, and fresh air within. Lots of thought has gone into this place which leads to the final question, What are you waiting for?

Perfect Score

01-13-2011 06:31:22 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

PhineasGage

Iowa

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is a cool looking place. From the huge porch to the gigantic bar, everything is neat and well maintained. Beer selection is pretty good, they had a few handles open (and no cashew mountain brown left.) The service was the best I had all weekend...this was the final destination on a weekend brewery/beerpub crawl. The brewery is very clean and fairly well organized, can't wait to see the place after the new expansion. The gift shop is nice as well, everything is well priced. Only problem is their 2xl fits like xl...guess I'm not built like the average michiganian. Overall great place, the food looked great, the beer was awesome. I highly recommend this place to anyone, and look forward to my next visit. Thanks again for everything Dave!

07-25-2011 16:47:21 | More by PhineasGage

chromemittenman

Michigan

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I stopped in for about the 20th time this past Saturday and have decided to review after so many good experiences.

I had Cashew Mountain Brown, Mister E Froot, 10K IPA, Breakfast Stout, and Devil Dancer. Also tried some samples of the honey wheat and All Day, and took a growler of Reds Rye for home.

As usual the beers were exceptional, particularly Mister E Froot and Cashew, but they were all incredible. The food was out of this world as well.

Stopped in the gift shop and bought a keychain/bottle opener, I already own all the glasses they carry and am waiting on a shirt to come in that I ordered :)

If you are anywhere near GR, make sure nad make the stop to Founders...you won't be sorry!! The only day they charge cover is Saturday (5 bucks starting late into the evening) for the bands they bring in...get there early and still no cover.

08-03-2011 09:29:11 | More by chromemittenman

MichPaul

Michigan

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

At the time of writing this review, I haven't even been enjoying microbrews for 1 year. To date though and living just outside of Grand Rapids Michigan, Founders Tap Room is my favorite place to enjoy delicious beer!!!
One thing to know about Founders Tap Room though, if you want to get in and get seated, it's best to get there before about 4pm. About the only knock I have on the place is that it is about time to expand! It works good for me because I'm out of work by 2pm M-F, but if I got out with the 4-5pm crew, I would be out of luck to sit down and enjoy a beer without a long wait. I guess that only solidifies how wonderful of a place this is. The place is an enjoyable, clean, atmosphere with beer that will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS RIGHT OFF!

02-18-2012 02:20:43 | More by MichPaul

nortmand

Virginia

4.94/5  rDev +13.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $

Stopped in here enroute to New Holland.
Very cozy tap room feel with free popcorn and a friendly barkeep. Cool decor with some old hop plants hanging. Beer was excellent and there were several varieties that I had never seen. Different size choices for beer with prices clearly marked and very reasonable. Several local regulars were there, talking about beers that they release at special times and other interesting things that have happened. Great, friendly place to stop on your way through Grand Rapids.

06-27-2004 14:54:48 | More by nortmand

GRG1313

California

4.9/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

This is without question one of the best craft breweries in the country. Every beer is just top notch and not only worth tasting but worth drinking.

KBS is a stout by which others are judged, and that's just the beginning. Other barrel aged stouts are exceptional, with the "draft only" Black Biscuit being one of the best beers in the country...period!

The staff is beyond knowledgable and could not be more friendly or accomodating. The selection of beers available is extensive and includes the rare and hard to get and the more extreme.

This is a brewery that really cares about its partrons and does all in its power to generate good will, good beer, future customers and provide the best product possible. This place is so good it's almost "an event" to go and drink and eat.

Great place!

04-20-2010 05:35:51 | More by GRG1313

GOGRANDE

Colorado

4.9/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Founders was amazing We went for my 23rd b-day right after DDL...Total local vibe in there. Staff was great. Gotta love the crazy hippie beards! Holy crap.

Bar manager introduced us to the local beer store owner at the other end of the bar. "Sicilano's bottle shop". He was so stoked we were up all the way from FL he bought us a round of KBS 09. Yum. :)

The place looks great with all the wood finish. Simple beer menu up in chalk. They do mainly drafts, and you can get bottles to-go. My favorite section of the menu is the really big stuff on the right side. We pretty much stuck to that. Had to soak up Founders finest. :)

Overall this is a must hit beer stop for any beer geek that loves huge black as night american micro brews. We had 2 sippers while we were there. Barrel aged Imperial Stout and the KBS 09. Hell of a b-day...I wish everyday could be that amazing...

06-21-2010 03:53:59 | More by GOGRANDE

phisigben

Kentucky

4.88/5  rDev +12.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

The atmosphere was awesome I wish this place was in Indianapolis. Service was awesome we sat at the bar and was served immediately.

The only reason I didn't give this place all 5's is because on the website they said that Canadian Breakfast Stout was going to be on tap, and it wasn't. But in all reality I had an amazing time.

My girlfriend and myself went for lunch I had a Devil Dancer (12oz) and the Devil Dancer sandwich, she had water (my DD) and a BLT we split the crab dip (amazing) then instead of the CBS I had the Kaiser Curmudgeon (6oz) (amazing). After getting a 4 pack of Devil Dancer the bill came out to $60 it was a little on the expensive side but after looking back on what we ate/drank it was worth it I would love to go back again (When they have CBS on tap)

07-06-2010 15:29:28 | More by phisigben