Brewpub - Bells or Founders?

The ideal is to visit both, of course, but IMO Founder's is fantastic! The open-air environment, beer garden and just general look and feel / vibe is perfect for me especially at this time of year. You can't go wrong here, especially since it appears you prefer Founder's beer over Bell's anyway. You'll have a great experience!

 

I live in Kalamazoo so maybe that guides my thought but I would say Founders. I love Bells but the setup at Founders w/the wall that opens to the outside gives it a great vibe. The fact that both have pub only drafts is great & maybe that will help you with your choice....Bells has a tap list camera right on their homepage so you'll know what is on tap before you decide/go
http://bellsbeer.com/

 

Founders. The only problem with it is that there are wayyyy to many sandwich options. Wait..... That is not a problem. It is the opposite.

 

I know I'm kind of a homer, but I say Founders. I haven't been to Bells since the expansion, so understand if the environment has changed it can only be an improvement. Bells had no table service. So if you wanted something to eat or drink you had to go the bar. Always long ass lines behind the group of 8 all ordering drinks and food.

Founders has a separate line for food. If you want drinks you can go to the bar also they have wait staff to fill your orders at your table. When its busy sometimes it is faster to go to the bar if the server is swamped. Also they split their tips so its not like if you go to the bar you are somehow screwing the server. Also your credit card is stored in the computer so any service employee can ring you up.

Having said that...they both usually have beers that you can only get in the taproom. Bells seems to have more of those.

 

Guess I'll be the contrarian here, cause I prefer Bell's. I think they tend to have more interesting beers on tap - Founder's has had some real boring lists the last few times I've gone (like 90% shelf beers) but maybe I've just been unlucky. I've never had that problem at Bell's.

Other factors to consider:

• Bell's is quite a bit closer to A2 (80 minutes vs. 120 minutes), but it sounds like you already know that.
• Founder's is definitely much better for growler fills
• Dark Horse is an easy stop on the way to Bell's
• Founder's has more good breweries nearby (though KZoo isn't too bad either)

 

unless they are releasing black note (but that's another thread..haha) i'd pick founders. based on beers, brewpub space/layout, food, crowd, and locale (grand rapids vs kalamazoo).

 

It's a coin flip. Bells expansion helped the concept of relieving the line clusterfuck, but service and efficiency has been subpar in my multiple visits. Nothing they can't work out. I prefer their old menu based on the food options and price. There are a lot of veteran bartenders now splitting tips with fresh fish servers so I have sensed a morale issue between the rival gangs. Larry should finish the sportsbar ASAP, and then Bells is the winner hands down.

If Bells installs a 'flight only' line once the new bar is finished, that would be a giant line reliever.

 

I visited Oddside Ales In Grand Haven on the last Black Friday in the morning for the Morningwood and Hipster release. Then we went to Perrin's and enjoyed their fine brews including the last known siting of their Malted Milk Ball Porter. We then finished up our day at Founders. They were serving Sweet Repute XXX that day and if memory serve me correct, I think they had Blushing Monk on tap as well.

I can't speak for Kalamazoo but I thought those three places killed it with their special releases last Black Friday. I plan on going back to Grand Rapids again this Black Friday.

 

I did the exact same thing last year on BF

 

Neither are brewpubs

 

Sounds like you have a preference for Founders. You're decision is made.
Food options at Eccentric Café weren't bad, charcuterie was good, but hardly an attraction for me living in a large metropolis. Founders was easily one of the better experiences I've had, if not the best. Those sandwich options are legit.

 

Ugh.. your*

 

Both places have special reasons to choose where to go, but if you can wait until the day of your trip, check the tap list for each place, then make your decision.

 

My Black Friday was Oddside, then up to Muskegon for Pigeon Hilll and Unruly. I plan on doing that circuit again this year. Will probably have to be in line for Hipster a LOT earlier this year.

 

Skip both and go to Latitude 42 in Kalamazoo! The food is better than Bells and Founders, plus they have great beer. Enjoy the game this year, because it's the last year your suckeyes have a chance against the Wolverines.

 

Bells was closed when we went, but Founders was incredible.

 

Correct, for the OP Brewpubs are a type of license in MI. These are both brewery taprooms.

 

Since you are a buckeye fan, hit Bells on Friday and go to Founders Saturday.