Founders Appreciation Thread

I'll add to the list.

The taproom is an amazing place with a wonderful patio. The taproom-only brews are usually very good, and they are diverse in style. Their annual parties are fun. I always leave there with at least one growler of beer (I'm a few hours away). Their KBS release is extremely straightforward, and if you are lucky enough to get a ticket, simple to pick up.

Now to some of the beers. Porter is the best non-flavored porter I've ever had. Harvest Ale is my favorite hoppy beer. Breakfast Stout is a seasonal regular. I'm growing on FIS, and have a vertical building. Rubaeus is a top fruit beer. Backwoods Bastard is a delicious barrel-aged and relatively easy to obtain beer. KBS needs no further explanation.

Lastly, everyone I've met that works for Founders has been great. They're all good people who care about the beer and your experience, whether that's in the taproom or out in the bars and restaurants.

 

I am really jealous of anyone who has Sweet Repute. I missed out on it when I saw it (wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money at the time) and that was the last time I ever saw a bottle. That has been my biggest beer regret ever.

Backwoods Bastard quickly became a BA staple for me. I bought at least a case last year, I love it so much. I am happy it sat around, so I could periodically pick it up over a few months.
Their IRS is great. I have a lot sitting as I love seeing how it has been changing over time.
Centennial is a delicious IPA. I am glad it is in cans.
I do enjoy All Day, but I wish it had a little more body. Oat Day IPA? After seeing that they have a black session IPA, I decided that I want to brew one.
I am not the biggest fan of fresh Curmudgeon. I really enjoy it at 9+ months. Very chocolate forward to me, then.
Kentucky Breakfast Stout was good, but I have not found the hassle to be worth it at all. I am happy to have it, I just do not seek it. This has actually proven to please me when I have seen it on tap while not seeking.
CBS was insane. I could not believe how delicious it was. Probably a top 5 beer for me.
Red's Rye is probably the beer that I would choose to drink from Founders all year round, if I could only choose one. I would love it in any weather.

I am not a fan of Rubaeus. Like Rubaeus, Big Lushious was a medicine raspberry bomb to me. Their backstage stuff is really pricey for what they have been recently. Do 4 packs of it, or something. I wish more breweries would just do 4 packs instead of bombers.

 

Much appreciation for Founders here. Put it this way, there was a thread a while back asking if you were limited to one brewery who would it be. I didn't even have to think about it. Founders would be my choice and its not close. Everyone seems to hammer them on the latest back stage series which I think is unfair. CBS and Doom set the bar so high its tough to match but Blushing Monk for example - while not up to CBS/Doom standards is still a fine brew.
Accross the board Founders is tough to beat, All Day is one of the best bang for the buck brews out there while every stout they make ( CBS - KBS - FBS and FIS ) are simply fantastic. I just had my first taste of Double Trouble last night and as they say - the hits just keep on comin. Rubeaus is another fave.
Note to Founders - Please - Please - re release CBS and/or Doom. Don't over think it, they are amazing and its been long enough. Throw your fans a bone boys.

 

Usually a hit or miss. Great stouts, mediocre everything else

 

Definitely not. That being said, I was being cantankerous. Either way, my position stands. Founders has not pulled any rabbits out of the hat as of late...only turds

 

Founders was my first love when I started trying craft a few years ago. I had never heard of them, but I guess the label art caught my eye. They are still one of my favorites.

 

Living in a state that Founders doesn't distribute to its easy to say I'm not a fan of some of their offerings. Yet overall they make some tasty beers and Backwoods Bastard is proof that Founders can Nail a Bourbon Barrel Aged Brew.

 

If Founders is a top ten for you, right now, you're out of touch with the entire industry- just like Founders.

 

Everything I've had from Founders has been great. Not one bad brew. I would hope they would look toward Texas if they need to expand. I would drive to that brewery. Great beer! Keep it up!

 

Founders gets an A in my book! Most definitely a solid Midwest brewery.

 

Their stouts are good. All of their other beers are meh.

 

Saw this thread, thought I'd drop in to say that I also love Founders. Definitely a top 5 Favorite brewery of mine.
I specifically love their Porter, Breakfast stout, and Backwoods Bastard. For some reason I haven't yet tried all the beers that are readily available to me, but its on the to-do list.
Also had Blushing monk for the first time this year and it was the bomb-diggity. Saving another bottle for a couple years
Cheers

 

O rly? Care to expound?

I like Founders for reasons already mentioned. They are widely available (important for me and I'd imagine others who don't enjoy revolving their life around chasing beer), their quality control is fantastic (I know what to expect when I open their beer), they care about and COMMUNICATE with their customers (Three Floyds could take note), and their beer is good.

Not only is their beer good, but they are all pretty darn good EXAMPLES of style and they are CONSISTENT across their portfolio.

 

Or hopelessly jaded.

If people don't care for Founders, more power to them. The world would be a tragically boring place if we all liked and disliked the same things. But the idea that they are "out of touch" seems baseless. As far as I'm concerned, making good beer that people want to drink is about as "in touch" as any brewer needs to be. And on that front, Founders seems to be plenty in touch.

But if you want to give a little bit more detail on what you mean by "out of touch", I'm honestly interested in listening to it.

 

WTF are you talking about? Or are you just trolling?

They make good beers in a wide variety of styles, widely available and reasonably priced (except for some of the Backstage Series). There aren't many breweries that are as well rounded as Founders. I'm not saying everyone should like their beers but your comment is pretty ignorant.

 

That taste thing is such a weird thing. It's like different people's are different. Crazy I know.

 

I do wish Founders brewed more lagers, but I have Great Lakes for that.

 

Founders Breakfast Stout was the beer that brought me here, and forever changed my view of beer. The line up I have tried so far, has been solid and never disappointed me. Do I need to try more, especially, Porter and Imperial Stout? Heck, yeah!!

 

Other than Harvet their IPA line up has been far surpassed by other breweries. They are not bad just very meh for todays standards IMO. I agree with you on the dark beers though.