Founders Brewing

Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown coming in May

Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown is the next specialty offering by the Grand Rapids, Michigan based brewery.

Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown has the look and feel of a beer from the brewery’s Backstage Series – Frangelic Mountain Brown Ale. While that edition was Continue Reading →

Spotlight: Founders Project PAM

Founders Project PAM is available now; the 14th edition to the brewery’s Backstage Series.

Founders Project PAM is a black IPA, aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. (Sound familiar? Looking at you, Sweet Repute.)

In development under a shroud of secrecy for years, Project Continue Reading →

Posted in Founders Brewing, Beer News, Distribution Expansion

Founders Brewing expanding distribution to Maryland in May

Founders Brewing Co. will expand distribution to Maryland starting in late May, 2016. The brewery has signed a deal with Legends-Limited Distribution.

“Our arrival in Maryland has been a long time coming,” said Co-Founder and CEO Mike Stevens, “We have a great fan base in Maryland and they have been very vocal about wanting to see our beer on local shelves. The Founders team is beyond happy we can finally make that happen.”

Founders year-round bottles, cans and kegs will hit the state first, in Baltimore, Howard, Frederick, Carroll, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties.The rest of the state will see distribution later in 2016.

Monday, May 23 through Thursday, May 26.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Founders Brewing

Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown coming in May

Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown is the next specialty offering by the Grand Rapids, Michigan based brewery.

Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown has the look and feel of a beer from the brewery’s Backstage Series – Frangelic Mountain Brown Ale. While that edition was brewed with hazelnut coffee, this “mountain” brown ale is brewed with Sumatran coffee.

The is bold brown ale gets its body form a team of malts, including caramel malt for sweetness, flaked barley for dense foam, a bit of chocolate malt for color, and aromatic and munich malts for added depth. German and perle hops add a touch of bitterness to balance the sweetness. The addition of rich Sumatra coffee takes this perfectly balance brown ale to a decadent level.

Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown will be a 12 ounce bottle release. Tap room on April 29th, Distribution starting May 2, 2016.

Style: Imperial Brown Ale (w/ Coffee)
Hops: German, Perle
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Release: May, 2016

9% ABV

Other coffee infused beers by Founders includes: Breakfast Stout, Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Canadian Breakfast Stout and Frangelic Mountain Brown.

 

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Founders Brewing, Headlines

Founders Palm Reader, a 12oz bottle potential

Founders Palm Reader, a future pale ale, celebrates the brewery’s home state of Michigan.

Looking to fill another mysterious seasonal slot, Founders Palm Reader uses a hop you might not have heard much about… until now. If you are familiar with the Czech Republic born noble hop, Saaz, then you know a little about Zuper Saazer. This Michigan-grown hybrid is much like Saaz, but with a citrus kick. A little old world meets new world hops.

A tribute to our beautiful state, this refreshing ale is made with Michigan-grown Crystal and Zuper-Saazer hops. Derived from Saaz, a traditional noble hop hailing from the Czech Republic, these Zuper-Saazer hops, grown locally at Hophead Farms, impart intense and fruity aromas. Combined with the citrus notes of Crystal hops and the simple malt bill, this beer is crisp, bright, and delicious.

Founders Palm Reader will be a draft and 12 ounce bottle offering. The brewery has not yet announced this beer.

Style: Pale Ale
Hops: Zuper Saazer

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft
Release: TBA

5.4% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Founders Brewing, Headlines

Founders Mango Magnifico is returning to the Backstage Series

Founders Mango Magnifico con Calor [Magnificent Mango with Heat], will be reintroduced to the brewery’s Backstage Series in March, 2016.

This release marks the 15th entry in the series (last time it was released, it was the 7th). Founders Mango Magnifico is brewed with mango and habanero peppers.

 Not a traditional fruit beer, the delicate tropical fruit in Mango Magnifico is punctuated by a hint of heat, increasing the overall depth of flavor and adding another level of complexity. A refreshing drink for the warm summer months.

Founders Mango Magnifico will be a draft, and 750 milliliter bottle offering in March, 2016.

Style: Fruit Beer (w/ Mango, Habanero Peppers)
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Return: March, 2016

10% ABV

Read more: Founder’s Backstage Series. Image via Founders Brewing Co.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, Founders Brewing

Spotlight: Founders Project PAM

Founders Project PAM is available now; the 14th edition to the brewery’s Backstage Series.

Founders Project PAM is a black IPA, aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. (Sound familiar? Looking at you, Sweet Repute.)

In development under a shroud of secrecy for years, Project PAM is brewed with an abundance of hops including, Chinook, Nugget, Centennial, Amarillo, El Dorado and Mosaic. It’s balanced with Crystal and Midnight Wheat malts and finally aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels to add complex oaky bourbon notes and the sweetness of maple syrup. Project PAM clocks in at 10.8% ABV.

What’s in a name? The brewery maintains it’s a mystery, but it has to do with the cellar barrel coding. The label features Jason Heystek, the head of Founders’ barrel program.

Taste. Founders Project PAM is bold, perhaps even a a battle between the black IPA and the maple syrup bourbon barrels this beer is aged in. We’ve already been asked a few times after posting this above pic to our social media – should they drink it, or age it. Our answer is always, drink now. This beer as you can buy in in December, 2015 is how the brewery intended it. drink it now.

Founders Project PAM is available in 750 milliliter bottles, and draft.

Style: Imperial Black IPA (w/ Maple Syrup. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Hops: Chinook, Nugget, Centennial, Amarillo, El Dorado, Mosaic
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Draft. Limited.
Release: 11/20/15 (Distribution shortly after)

10.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, Founders Brewing, New Releases

Founders Dirty Bastard cans release in November

Founders Dirty Bastard cans are joining the brewery’s year-round can lineup on November 4th.

The brewery launched their first cans back in 2013 with All Day IPA. Centennial IPA cans followed shortly after. Now, year round scotch ale Dirty Bastard can join the fray. The brewery attributes sales of Dirty Bastard kept Founders out of bankruptcy years ago.

So good it’s almost wrong. Dark ruby in color and brewed with seven varieties of imported malts. Complex in finish, with hints of smoke and peat, paired with a malty richness and a right hook of hop power to give it the bad attitude that a beer named Dirty Bastard has to live up to. Ain’t for the wee lads.

Founders Dirty Bastard is available in 12 ounce cans, in 12 packs. ERP $17.99.

Style: Scotch Ale
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft (Current). 12oz Cans (Potential)
Release: November, 2015

8.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Distribution Expansion, Founders Brewing

Founders Brewing Expands Distribution to Nevada, Northern California

Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI) is expanding distribution to Nevada and Northern California. Fans in both areas can expect beers from Founders lineup in October.

“We’re thrilled to continue to expand our distribution in the West where there is such appreciation for craft beer.” said Co-Founder & CEO Mike Stevens. “Northern California and Nevada are hubs for beer enthusiasts and we’re excited to add Founders to their list of choices. We think West Coast beer drinkers’ choices just got a lot harder.”  

In Northern California, Founders distributors include:

  • Matagrano Inc. in San Francisco and San Mateo counties
  • Markstein Beverage Co. of Sacramento in greater Sacramento and all surrounding counties
  • Delta Sierra Beverage LLC Modesto in greater Modesto and all surrounding counties
  • Eagle Distributing Co. in Marin, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties
  • V. Santoni and Co. in Woodland and Davis
  • DelReka Distributing in Del Norte and Humboldt
  • Sequoia Beverage Co. in Kings and Tulare counties
  • Elyxir Distributing, LLC in Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterrey counties
  • Foothill Distributing in Chico, Redding, and surrounding counties

Founders in Nevada:

  • Morrey Distributing in greater Reno
  • Capital Beverages Inc. in greater Lake Tahoe and Carson City
  • Blach Distributing Co. in Humboldt, Pershing, Lander, Eureka, Elko, and White Pine counties
  • Valley Distributors Inc. in Churchill and Mineral counties
  • Nevada Beverage Co. in greater Las Vegas including Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda counties

Expect Founders year-round offerings, and time appropriate seasonals, plus their canned offerings. Special release beers, TBD.

by Reid Ramsay