Founders Brewing Co

235 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA

Address:	235 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
Phone:	+1 616-776-1195
Site:	foundersbrewing.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 12PM–12AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Lauren Strec

When I visit different cities, I make a point to find a local brewery and take a brew tour, if it is offered. Thus far, Founders is my favorite brewery that I have visited. I was in Grand Rapids for a weekend at the end of January 2013, and I found out that they had recently opened their doors for tours on Saturdays. But the date and time that I would have been able to go was not available for ticket-purchasing at their website. I stopped into Founders Taproom on the Friday night to inquire if I could get on the next days first tour. When I walked in, it was very busy with everyone from college students to old timers. The atmosphere was inviting and warm, yet it was pretty spacious. Still, I was able to find a seat at the bar, and was served pretty quickly. In addition to all the "classic" Founders favorites, they also had specialty brews, that you could only have within those walls. I ordered an Oatmeal Stout, which was delightful, and ended up getting an order of pizza bread, which was fresh and yummy-- the bread was awesome. After speaking with the bartender, she gave me the email of the contact for the brew tours, and I sent him a message to find out if I could possibly squeeze into the first tour time slot. He got back to me promptly, and told me that the tour was sold out, and they have to be very strict with the number of people, due to keeping the brewery sanitary. But he said I could stop by, and be on "stand by," in case someone couldnt make it. Lucky for me, thats exactly what happened, and I was able to get on the tour and learn Founders story and history, see the facility where the magic happens, get some insight into what makes their Taproom bread so good, and also get a peek at their future expansion layout. When the tour completed, I sat down at the bar again, ordered a spicy "Devil Dancer" sandwich and paired it with their Tellicherry Peppercorn ale. It was so freakin good! The bread really is the star, but all of the ingredients were delicious. I could have easily spent the afternoon in the Taproom, but duty calls and I had to work in the afternoon. If you visit Grand Rapids, make a point to visit Founders!

Vera DeVera

We took a daytrip to Grand Rapids and had visited only one other brewery in the same day (Brewery Vivant). It was a toss up between a cozier brewery, ELK, or Founders, and decided on the latter. Founders, established in 1997, occupies a block in the downtown /river district of Grand Rapids. We were lucky to find parking in their private lot (free on Saturday evening) since it seemed the brewery was bursting at the seams. There was a $5 cover since they had a band playing live music. There were 3 bar ordering lines, and it moved fairly quickly. If youre looking to have a leisurely chat with your beer pourer, go elsewhere. You have to know what you want it seems. There isnt any educational material to help you pick and we didnt want to hold up the line by asking what to get. I got the Mango Magnifico, a malt beer infused with mango and jalapeño notes. It was super sweet and since we had already eaten dinner, I wasnt hungry enough to pair it with something salty to offset the cloying taste. It is 10% alcohol, so youll get buzzed quickly. The oatmeal stout was dark chocolate and coffee flavored. Very smooth. We found a seat at the gas firepit outside. There wasnt much seating inside to watch the band. I would come again, on a weekday during the afternoon versus the evening. Were not into the young collegiate scene since were in out late 30s and it felt overwhelmingly bro-ish.

D J MichaelAngelo

The only thing that kept me from giving this place 1-2 stars was the friendly staff. Every employee we came into contact with on our visit last night was friendly, smiling, and polite. Unfortunately the gritty rock/guitar/hillbilly music was being played so loud it was impossible to carry on a conversation without screaming at the top of your lungs ....and this was way in the back, around the corner, farthest away from the stage as possible. I cant even imagine how aggressively overly-loud & blaring it mustve been for the poor people sitting in the main room by the stage, where the rock band was playing (this was Sat Oct 25 at around 9:30pm-10:30pm or so). The music was not my style, but like I said - I can even tolerate bad music as long as its played at a normal volume. This was my first time coming to Founders and I was surprised that there wasnt any dessert menu - nothing. Just the deli-style sandwhiches, soup & salad, french-bread pizza, etc. No liquor or mixed drinks or wine either - just beer. Yes I know its a brewery, but would it kill them to offer a few limited cocktail ideas for people who dont like beer? Apparently it would *lol* Anyway, it was fine I guess - if youre a beer lover than this place is definitely for you. Oh and yes the staff was extremely friendly, good-looking, and accomodating - that made our evening very enjoyable!

Samuel Frens

Founders is ubiquitous in Grand Rapids, and known nationally for their craft beer. The craft beer boom has made them all the more popular, and business is obviously very good for them. And for the most part, its very well deserved. Some of their beer is fantastic, well balanced, and the flavors subtle in some beers and not as subtle in others (which both of them work in the respective beers). Their one-offs at the taphouse are really where Founders gets to shine. In these beers, they really get to be creative in what they create. The blushing monk is really a great brew, and every time Ive had it, I have been blown away. They also have had a Franghellic stout on nitro that was truly fantastic. Now onto why I decided to leave it at four stars instead of five. I think that their staple dark beers arent that great. The breakfast stout is not very full bodied and doesnt have as much flavor as other oatmeal stouts that Ive had. Beyond that, I ordered their version of a Cuban sandwich and it was 90% bread and 10% meat and toppings which was severely disappointing. I cant say that all of their food is sub-par though, as their cheesy bread appetizer is really excellent. If youre in GR for any reason and havent been to Founders, you absolutely need to go. Just maybe dont order their sandwich and order their taproom specials.

Steven Petersen

Ive been a fan of Founders and their beer from the start. Unfortunately the experience in their pub has really gone downhill. Should I need to wait 15 minutes for someone to come to my table or 20 minutes for them to deliver my order? Keep it up and you will loose me, and plenty others, as customers to your new pub. April 2014 - OK, thought Id give it another chance. Nope, same problems. Although, strangely enough, if you are female and young, I note that your table (assuming you can find one to sit at) gets waited on a LOT more. Hmmm... Wonder why? Im guessing the basic problem is their brewery location has become so popular in GR, and they make so much money off it, they can treat their customers like crap and still make out like bandits. $30 for two sandwiches and two beers is a little steep. Dont get me wrong, the sandwiches were good and the beer was great. The random waiting of tables from the people working there certainly does NOT work. The waitstaff walk around and dont even try to look to see if someone is trying to wave at them to order a round. Oh well, it was fun going to Founders for a couple decades... Still like the beer, but it will be from the store or restaurant from now on. Makes me sad.