Beer City Bites
Featured on FOX 17 Morning Mix
Nothing says summer like bold flavors, backyard grills, and an ice-cold Founders beer in hand. FOX 17 Morning Mix recently joined us in our kitchen to explore a few taproom favorites—each featuring the bold character of Founders beer. From KBS smoky bacon jam to a Dirty Bastard infused barbecue, these dishes are built to impress. Bring them to your next cookout and become everyone’s favorite grill master.
KBS Bacon Jam
Consider this your new secret weapon. Smoky bacon, maple syrup, bold spices, and a bit of bourbon barrel aged goodness come together in a jam that plays well with everything—from burgers to breakfast.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cooked, diced bacon
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp mild chili powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup KBS
- 2 tbsp chipotle purée
- 12 oz maple syrup
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan.
- Add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent.
- Stir in diced bacon and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add chili powder and paprika; cook another 3 minutes to toast the spices.
- Pour in KBS and balsamic vinegar; stir and deglaze the pan. Let the liquid reduce by half.
- Remove from heat. Stir in chipotle purée and maple syrup until fully combined.
- Cool slightly and serve warm—or store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Dirty Bastard BBQ Sauce
Kick your BBQ game up a notch with a dirty twist on a classic sauce. By blending your favorite BBQ sauce with the rich, malty depth of Dirty Bastard, you’ll get a smoky, savory finish that’s perfect for ribs, burgers, and anything hot off the grill.
Ingredients:
- 1 quart barbecue sauce (your favorite style)
- 1 cup Dirty Bastard
Instructions:
- Pour Dirty Bastard into a saucepan over medium heat.
- Reduce beer by half (should yield about ½ cup).
- Allow the reduced beer to cool slightly.
- Mix thoroughly into the BBQ sauce and stir well.
- Use immediately or store in the fridge until ready to slather.
Centennial IPA Hot Sauce
This hot sauce brings just the right balance of heat and hop. The floral bitterness of Centennial IPA blends perfectly with butter and heat to create a balanced sauce that’s perfect for wings, tacos, or dipping just about anything that could use a kick.
Ingredients:
- 1 quart hot sauce (Frank’s or your favorite base)
- 6 oz unsalted butter
- 4 oz Centennial IPA
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add Centennial IPA and hot sauce.
- Simmer gently, stirring frequently, until fully emulsified and smooth.
- Serve warm or bottle for later use.
Whether you’re grilling with friends or just crafting the perfect burger for one, these recipes bring the bold, flavorful character of our beers right to your table.
Big thanks to FOX 17 for having us on to showcase these cookout-ready creations!
Tried one of these at home? Tag @foundersgrandrapids on Instagram with your masterpieces and let us know how you’re cooking with Founders. For questions or to connect with our taproom team, drop us a line at info@foundersbrewing.com.
Cheers!
