Founders Coming to Colorado this Fall

Backwoods Bastard and Breakfast Stout will be permanently in my fridge. The Porter is pretty good too. I don't drink anyone's IPAs so I can't speak to those. I only lament the end of production on their Imperial Stout, it was one of the best non-BA, non-adjunct Imp Stouts out there.

 

I'm psyched for this. Besides kbs and Backwoods, they have a lot of 4-pack ba beers that I've enjoyed (maybe others hate them, but I thought they were pretty good). I had a Dankwood last night, it was alright. Stuff like that sits around forever, which is not the worst thing in the world. I'd rather have those beers turding up the shelves than Bullshit from mikeller or evil twin.

 

From the article:
So why did it take so long for the Grand Rapids-based brewery to add one of the country’s most rabid fan base of beer drinkers? Co-founder Mike Stevens explained, “Colorado’s been on the list since we really started making moves outside of Michigan, but it’s also a competitive market. Part of it was, that we needed to get our economies of scale up and build a more mature business.”

A Competitive Market, in Colorado, that’s an Understatement.

 

Their porter is one of the most underrated beers out there, imo.

 

I just wish they'd bring back Red's Rye to bottles. That was my goto when I lived in KC. Love that beer.

I'm sure I'll grab a breakfast stout, all day, and the porter from time to time, but don't think they'll be regulars for me.

 

Rubaeus is probably their normal beer I'm most excited for. It's almost like New Glarus Raspberry Tart in cans. Normal Breakfast Stout is another I'll probably buy. I'm not that big of a fan of the others. Bell's is more up my alley.

 

Didn't we all know they were scared to come here though? So many breweries have rolled in to Colorado only to pack up and leave a year later, Founders was wise to get their shit together before jumping in.

 

I'm of the opinion that Founders and Bells (and other similar larger/regional breweries) see potential success with our grocery store law changes. Supplying every store in the region is no big deal to places of that size and scope. I don't think they expect to dominate the shelves of places like Lukas or Davidson's where they're competing with 500 SKU's. Instead, they can do well in King Soopers where they're competing with 25-50.

 

If they ever make the regular Founders Imperial Stout again, both that and Expo will be frequent buys for me. Though I think you can make the argument that almost all of the "top flight" Russian Imperial Stouts are of a similar quality these days, I personally prefer the flavor profiles of those two above almost any others.

FIS in particular is the king of that viscous crude-oil mouthfeel without any barrel aging getting in the way, so I definitely hope they consider bringing that one back. Both Bells and Founders price points are usually very good for the quality that you get with their porters/stouts/brown ales.

Sumatra is also a nice one for those who like lots of coffee flavor.

 

That's always been my feeling on FIS too, that Yeti and TenFIDY are my imp stout standards. It may be fond memory, but FIS would be my favorite of the 3.
I didn't get into their other seasonals and specialties, we love the Sumatra and several of their 4 packs. I still love KBS though I think the industry has caught up to it. I'll grab it when I can, but I won't be waiting in any lines.

 

While Colorado has embraced beer lines, I can't imagine KBS being that tough to obtain. It isn't in their other distro areas. At least not in the last 3 years. They make a lot of it now.
I haven't had it lately, but FIS did used to be pretty damned good. Then again, it's not like many imperial stouts aren't. It feels like a style that's tough to screw up based on the % of good vs. bad examples.
Never had it, but Curmudgeon's Better Half sounds pretty tasty.

 

All Founders releases sit down here in Albuquerque, even CBS. Maybe year one with Founders in Colorado will come with some hype, but afterwards things will probably normalize and you can get the stuff on your own schedule.

 

It isn't a "potential success". It's literally a contract they have to obligate to secure shelf placements in the rest of the region. I'm curious to see how it all plays out in 2019, also given my jobs.

 

Samesies. My current favorite is now The Dweller from Green Man, followed by Expo... FIS was my favorite for the longest time...

 

So rumor has it this is delayed again. Any truth to that?

 

Nice to know.

Cheers!

 

Anyone have any info on how Bell's is doing? Anecdotal observations are fine. I'm just curious if they're making a splash. If they can't, I'm not sure anyone can. At least outside of flavor of the month hype.

 

All I've seen around here in GJ since last year is Two Hearted and Lager Of The Lakes.

Cheers!

 

I've seen two hearted at one shop and that is it. Wibby ofest won out.