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Founders Bike Team: Yankee Springs Time Trial

We’re extremely proud of our bike team, Founders Alger Racing—eight members made podium at the Yankee Springs Time Trial on April 17, 2011. Here are photos from the race, many of which show the racers on the podium, holding the mugs that they received for placing! (Click on one of the thumbnails to launch a mini photo gallery.)

Check our Adventure page to see what we’re doing to support an adventurous lifestyle, in our community and beyond.

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Guard Dog

 

This is too fun not to share…

 

A dog lays on top of cases of Founders beer in a warehouse.

 

Ozim is the dog of Ben Robbins, who works at our Indiana distributor, Cavalier (based in Indianapolis). He’s protecting some fresh cases of Centennial IPA, which had just been delivered to their warehouse. “My two favorite things: Founders Centennial IPA and my dog,” Robbins says.

We say, “That sure is one smart guard dog.”

Thanks for sharing, Ben!

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750mL Bottles To Be Released This Year

As was announced in this MLive article, we are planning to release specialty beers in a 750mL bottle format later this year. Our new packaging line allows us to use this new bottle size—and we’re excited to be able to distribute some of our limited release beers, which were previously only available in kegs and almost exclusively in our taproom, in bottle form for more to sample.

We’re not ready to announce what our first few releases will be yet, but only a couple have been confirmed. That being said, if you’d like to share what beer you think we should offer in a 750 in the comments, know that we WILL read it—though we’re not making any guarantees.

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Help Us Pick a Label!

We’d been working on developing a cutting edge beer for two years or so, and we were able to perfect the recipe recently. Unfortunately, we ran into some rights issues with the working name we’d been using. But we’re brewers and craft beer geeks. When we run into obstacles, we see opportunities. We realized this was our chance to see what the people who drink our beer think. Hey, if you like us, then we respect your opinion, because we know you know what’s good. So we’re asking for your help in choosing a name and a label for this new beer.

Now, imagine yourself sitting around a table, beer in hand, brainstorming with a bunch of brewers, cellar masters, packaging whizzes, and other beer geeks.

 

Here are the materials you’ll need to help you make your decision:

 

  1. A description. The beer you’ve been waiting for. Keeping your taste satisfied while keeping your senses sharp. An all-day IPA naturally brewed with a complex array of malts, grains, and hops. Perfectly balanced for aggressive aromatics, moderate bitterness and a remarkably clean finish.  It’s the perfect companion for tall tales around the bonfire, working around the yard, or introducing great craft beer to your Uncle Ernie and Aunt Claudia.
  2. The stats. 4.7% ABV, 42 IBUs, 6 SRM
  3. Tasting notes. Fresh and hoppy, tropical fruits, oats and wheat.
  4. Ingredients. Three varieties of malts, Simcoe and Amarillo hops (among others).
  5. The accolades. Won a silver medal at the 2010 GABF.

 

And, by the way, you only get to vote once—there’s no wavering in the craft beer world. Make your decision by 5pm on Monday, April 4, or else it doesn’t count. OK, you’re ready:

 

 


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The Original Red

A painting of an old man with crazy hair and wearing glasses, done in red paint, hanging on a wall.

 

We have the “original Red” painting hanging up in the brewery (above). It’s the basis for the label of our Red’s Rye PA, which started as a taproom-only beer for a few years and went through a few name changes before becoming what it is today. This painting was done from a photograph of a man in Kalamazoo by Justin Bernhardt.

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Founders and Social Media

We’re in the running for the brewery with the best handle on social media, according to this survey by the Beer Wench. We’re super excited because it’s something that we’ve worked to improve over the past ten months or so. We’d appreciate it if you could support us by filling out the survey‚Äîand feel free to comment on this post with what you think we could do to improve our social media presence.

Here are links to our social media outlets:

 

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Spring Gear Sale!

According to the revolution/rotation of the Earth—and the creators of calendars—spring is here (at least it is wherever you can find Founders beer). It doesn’t feel like spring yet at the brewery because Michigan winters don’t let go easily, but we’re looking forward to busting out some t-shirts. We’ve put six of our t-shirts on sale to help everyone get ready for spring (some are only discounted online). Here’s a retro baseball-style tee that has us dreaming of Opening Day:

 

 

This sale ends on March 31—or when our inventory runs out!

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NYC Bottle Release

A giant Red's Rye PA bottle appears to be rising from behind the NYC skyline.

 

Bottles of Founders beer will be available in the NYC area starting March 26. Bottles of KBS will be available (in limited quantities) starting April 2. Check our beer locator to see where we are currently distributed and to find contact information for our distributors if you’re interested in locating a particular beer.

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March Madness 2011 = Lotsa Beer Brackets

March heralds in that time of year when even people who don’t know the difference between double dribbling and traveling fill out brackets and dutifully watch the NCAA men’s basketball tournament (or at least the highlights, so they know who won).

A few media outlets have decided to build upon everyone’s bracket fever by producing beer brackets. Here are some that feature our beer:

 

 

  1. The Washington Post‘s Beer Madness 2011 bracket pits 64 beers against one another. It’s split into four different types of beer (malt, hops, roast, fruit & spices) rather than four regions. You can find‚Äîand vote for‚Äîour Dirty Bastard in the malt section.
  2. Our friends at the Whiskey Goldmine are giving beer enthusiasts the chance to fill out brackets and submit them in an attempt to predict what beer will win in their taste testing tournament. Our Breakfast Stout, Porter, and Centennial IPA are all in the running.
  3. Rumor has it that DRAFT Magazine may be hosting a bracket with another of our beers up for the national championship…
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Crimson Dynamo Now on Tap!

Yes, there’s a new addition to our in-house tap list: Crimson Dynamo.

This beer is a session red (4.7% ABV) bursting with flavor: amber caramel malts are balanced by Simcoe and Cascade hops.

And here’s a pint, on our bar, in all of its glory (and ready for you to try!):

Crimson Dynamo

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Valentine’s Day, Founders Style

Valentine’s Day is on the way. Everyone gets their lady flowers, chocolates, and/or a teddy bear‚Äîwhy not surprise her with some Founders underthangs (and perhaps some beer for the two of you to split)?

Check out these two options, which are available in our online store:

Founders ladies boy shorts

Founders Dirty Bastard thong

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KBS 2011

Bourbon barrels stacked two high in the Founders production facility.

Bourbon barrels filled with KBS have been aging in the caves beneath our fine city of Grand Rapids for a year and were delivered to our production facility yesterday (see above).

The official distribution release date for KBS is the Ides of March (3/15). However, we’re having our KBS release party in our taproom three days earlier, on Saturday, March 12. We’ll see you here if you want to be one of the first to try the 2011 batch of KBS (bottled and on tap). Doors open at 11am (as usual) and evening entertainment will begin at 9:30pm. Limit one case per customer, while supplies last.

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Brand New Deli Set to Re-Open Wednesday at 11am!

Alrighty folks, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it¬†appears as if our brand new deli will be up, running, and ready-to-go by the time we open on Wednesday, January 12th! All apologies for the¬†recent inconveniences; it has all been in the interest of bringing you a better Founders, and¬†we think you’ll like the changes: better equipment, new sandwiches (!), an order AND pick-up window… amongst other really cool things. Needless, to say, we’re very excited!

Hope to see you for lunch AND dinner! 🙂

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Taproom Deli Opening Delayed

Due to some unforeseen delays, our taproom deli will not be opening until the middle of next week (the week of January 9). Until it opens, you’re welcome to bring in your own food. We also have delivery menus available if you’d like to order some food (“Five pizzas to 235 Grandville Ave, please!”), and everyone’s favorite munchies‚Äîpeanuts and pretzels & cheese‚Äîwill still be on hand at the bar.

Thanks for your patience as we work to make a better Founders for everyone. We think you’ll like the changes we have planned.

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Taproom to Re-Open Tuesday, January 4th at 4pm, Deli will NOT be open.

As our internal expansion and improvements round third base, we’re happy to announce that the Taproom will be open at 4pm on Tuesday, January 4th.

Unfortunately, we will be without the services of our beloved delicatessen. It is tentatively scheduled to re-open at 11am on Thursday, January 6th. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Tuesday’s Open-Mic night with Nicholas James and Jason Heystek will proceed as regularly scheduled, and the weekend’s entertainment with Northern Skies (1/6) and The Fainting Generals (1/8) will not be affected.

In the meantime, feel free to bring in your own grub, and we do have some delivery menus available for your perusal if you need to munch on something. (Deli closure does not affect the availability of bar munchies. Peanuts and pretzels & cheese will be available at the bar.)

Hopefully on Thursday the new deli will be fully operational and kicking out awesome sandwiches yet again.

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Taproom Closed Sunday and Monday, January 2nd & 3rd

As you may have noticed, we are knee-deep in the process of our expansion, and are currently undergoing a series of interior renovations. As a result of this, the Taproom will be closed Sunday, January 2nd and Monday, January 3rd. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 4th at 4pm and will resume normal business hours, 11am-2am on Wednesday, January 5th. 

We apologize for the inconvenience, but we think you’ll like the changes.

 

Notes: On Tuesday, January 4th, we may be without the services of the Founders Delicatessen, and may have to work around the construction on Wednesday and Thursday, but will operate under our normal business hours on those days, 11am-2am.

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