Founders Spectra Trifecta will join the brewery’s ArtPrize Series this fall. ArtPrize is the largest art competition in the world that is held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Founders Spectra Trifecta follows previous releases – Mosaic Promise, and Inspired Artist Black IPA.
On June 2nd, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) vetoed a measure that allowed images of minors to appear on alcohol labels in the state. One label at the core of the debate is the Founders Breakfast Stout label, featuring a Continue Reading →
Founders Brewing Company (Grand Rapids, MI) is expanding distribution to North Dakota, South Dakota, and Western Minnesota in June, 2015. The brewery has inked a distribution deal with Johnson Brothers.
“We’re looking forward to getting our beer to all of the Midwestern Continue Reading →
In a little over a week, Founders Brewing Co. will release their first Backstage Series offering of 2015, Blushing Monk. The release marks the first time the brewery has re-brewed a Backstage offering.
Founders Breakfast Stout features the likeness of a baby on the label. For a state like New Hampshire, that’s an issue. Existing laws make the bottle illegal to sell in the state.
Founders Brewing Company (Grand Rapids, MI) has sold a 30% stake in the brewery to minority investor, Mahou San Miguel. The partnership comes with access to international distribution, and long-term strategic growth.
Founders Spectra Trifecta, For ArtPrize Competition
FoundersSpectra Trifecta will join the brewery’s ArtPrize Series this fall. ArtPrize is the largest art competition in the world that is held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Founders Spectra Trifecta follows previous releases – Mosaic Promise, and Inspired Artist Black IPA.
Brewed in the traditional kolsch style, which requires fermenting ale yeast at a colder temperature and give she beer a clean finish without fruity yeast esters. This bright, golden beer is brewed with a trifecta of natural ingredients: earthy, floral and slightly sweet chamomile; a touch of citrusy lemongrass; and a hint of spicy fresh ginger.
Founders Spectra Trifecta will be available in 12 ounce bottles. This is a not a full market release. This year’s competition runs Sept. 23 – Oct. 11th.
The brewery has not yet announced this offering.
Style: Kolsch Availability: 12oz Bottles Distribution: Michigan, Wisconsin, greater New York City and greater Chicago Arrival: September, 2015
5.9% ABV, 20 IBUs
Previous releases (click gallery below)
Founders Artist Inspired Black IPA , the first release in the series. (2013)
Baby Pictures To Be Legal in New Hampshire [UPDATED]
On June 2nd, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) vetoed a measure that allowed images of minors to appear on alcohol labels in the state. One label at the core of the debate is the Founders Breakfast Stout label, featuring a baby eating oatmeal.
Wednesday, Senators joined the house in overriding Hassan’s veto of the legislation. Rep. Keith Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester, New Hampshire, originally sponsored the legislation, in order to gain the ability to sell the beer in bottles.
Once passed, the bill will take effect in 60 days. Founders Breakfast Stout could be sold by the fall.
The original Beer Street Journal story appears below.
The Founders Breakfast Stout label is still banned in New Hampshire.
On June 2nd, Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) vetoed a measure that would have allowed some images of minors to appear on labels in the state. Seen above, Founders Breakfast Stout, with an image of a child eating oatmeal.
Hassan stated in her veto message
“Substance misuse, including alcohol misuse, continues to be one of the major public health and safety challenges facing us as a state. Moreover, statistics suggest that New Hampshire has among the highest rates of underage drinking in the country.”
The bill was introduced by Rep. Keith Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester, New Hampshire. Murphy wants to purchase Founders Breakfast Stout for the taproom.
Founders Adds North & South Dakota, Western Minnesota
Founders Brewing Company (Grand Rapids, MI) is expanding distribution to North Dakota, South Dakota, and Western Minnesota in June, 2015. The brewery has inked a distribution deal with Johnson Brothers.
“We’re looking forward to getting our beer to all of the Midwestern states with the addition of our new partners Johnson Brothers,” said Co-Founder & CEO Mike Stevens. “As we continue the progress on our facility expansion, it’s going to allow us get our beer to even more enthusiasts this year. And we’re starting with some of our neighbors.”
Founders website and Twitter will (@foundersbrewing) have more launch event information.
In a little over a week, Founders Brewing Co. will release their first Backstage Series offering of 2015, Blushing Monk. The release marks the first time the brewery has re-brewed a Backstage offering.
On the eve of Blushing Monk’s return, now is a good time to look back over the series.
Founder’s launched the Backstage Series with Blushing Monk, a Belgian-style raspberry ale back in July of 2011. The 750ml bottles were born into the lineup as a part of the the brewery’s expansion from 28,000 barrels to 50,000+ barrels. (1 barrel= 31 gallons.)
The second release was a doozy, a beer that has appeared in bottles just once, and sells out almost instantly on draft – Canadian Breakfast Stout. The coffee, chocolate, maple syrup, bourbon barrel imperial stout is still the beer geek equivalent of the Bat Signal. Tap that beer, and folks will walk out of surgery for a glass. (Here comes the “over rated” comments below.)
Since then, Founders has brewed a boozier cousin to Old Curmudgeon, Curmudgeon’s Better Half, Bolt Cutter Barleywine (for their birthday), took a page out of the Nemesis Series playbook, even brewed a fantastic lager that unfortunately was the slowest selling beer in the Backstage Series.
Next week we find ourselves right were we started a few years ago with our glasses full of raspberries. It’s been a fun, boozy ride. By the looks of things, Founders is just getting started.
Founders CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout). The second release in the Backstage Series, and one of the most sought after. The base in imperial stout, brewed with coffee, chocolate, and finished in bourbon barrels with maple syrup. PIC: Beer Street Journal
Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half (Release #3, 2012) is a spin on the brewery’s Old Curmudgeon. His “better half” was an old ale aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. 11.9%
Founders Frangelic Mountain Brown combined flavors of hazelnut coffee with brown ale. As of December, 2014 it was holding up quite well. 9%
Founders Bolt Cutter celebrate 15 years of craft brewing. The 15% ABV barleywine made it not so legal in all states, thanks to ABV caps.
Founders Doom came along as Backstage Series release #6. Combining two of the brewery’s favorite things- hops and bourbon barrel aging. 9% ABV
Let’s get weird. Founders Mango Magnifico con Calor certainly did. The high gravity fruit beer featured tropical mangos, and Michigan grown habaneros. 10% ABV
We were all waiting for this. A throwback brew, or at least a nod to Founders Nemesis 2009 comes Sweet Repute. In case you forgot what hangovers were like, Repute was there to help as a 12.6% maple syrup, bourbon barrel wheat wine.
Founders Smoked Porter joined the Backstage Series as release #9. Based beer was a porter with beech-smoked malt and oak-smoked malt. 8%
Founders Dissenter IPL showed off the brewery’s style versatility, with a complex 8.7% strong pale lager. #10 still lingers on shelves in a few places.
Founders Big Lushious rounded out 2014 with dessert. The rich stout was loaded with notes of coffee, dark chocolate and of course, raspberries. For days.
In 2015, we are back where we started. Founders Blushing Monk has been bottled, and hits shelves March 2nd. Cellars fantastically is you’re asking.
New Legislature Could Allow Babies On Bottles in New Hampshire
Founders Breakfast Stout features the likeness of a baby on the label. For a state like New Hampshire, that’s an issue. Existing laws make the bottle illegal to sell in the state.
The piece of the law states:
RSA 179:31, VII (a): “Advertising of liquor or beverages shall not contain any reference to minors, pictorial or otherwise.”
This year, that could change. State Rep. Keith Murphy who owns Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester, is sponsoring new legislation that could allow the image, and similar images, to appear on beer labels.
Founders is legally allowed to sell Breakfast Stout on draft in New Hampshire, while the bottles are still disallowed.
Founders Brewing Company (Grand Rapids, MI) has sold a 30% stake in the brewery to minority investor, Mahou San Miguel. The partnership comes with access to international distribution, and long-term strategic growth.
Mahou San Miguel is based in Spain, founded in 1890 under the name Hijos de Casimiro Mahou. The group holds stake in various breweries around the world.
We knew that taking on a partner was the necessary, responsible thing to do for the future of Founders because it would open up new doors for growth as well as ensure our legacy for years to come,” said CEO and Co-Founder Mike Stevens. “We spent a long time determining who would be the best partner to help us grow Founders while staying true to our beers and our culture. Mahou shares our family values and a commitment to their communities; they also believe in the importance of long-term partnerships. We are honored to be working with a brewer that commands so much respect.”
Mahou purchased the San Miguel Brewery in 2000, and Cevezas Alhambra in 2007. Additionally, the group has partnership agreements with Carlsberg and Warsteiner. Founders Brewing Co. is the first American craft brewery investment by Mahou San Miguel.
Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI) will re-introduce Black Rye in 2015. The last time this offering was available was in 2006.
Black Rye is a dark ale brewed with a lot of rye malt, and hopped with a blend of German and American hops.
“Because of how quickly the craft beer enthusiast community has grown, most people drinking craft beer and even Founders beer today have never tried Black Rye,” said Dave Engbers, co-founder and vice president of brand and education at Founders Brewing Co. “Officially, this beer is a re-introduction. But for most, it’s a new Founders beer.”
Founders Black Rye will be available in 12oz/ 4 packs starting in January. It will precede the April release of Rubaeus in the seasonal lineup.
