Founder's Brewery Tours

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by FaradayUncaged, Mar 12, 2015.

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  1. FaradayUncaged

    FaradayUncaged Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Michigan

    My wife and I are planning our first visit to Grand Rapids (and Grand Haven) at the end of the month, and of course a visit to Founder's is at the top of the list.

    I recently found that in addition to offering tours, they also offer tours & "guided tastings":
    http://foundersbrewing.com/store/brewery-tour-2/


    Has anyone done this tour and/or the guided tasting portion? I feel the tour is a MUST, but I'm wondering if the tasting portion is worth the additional cost, especially considering that we will definitely do our own tasting afterward in the tap room and I've had most, if not all, of the 'regular' offerings. This piques my interest:
     
    #1 FaradayUncaged, Mar 12, 2015
  2. Smokesnotes

    Smokesnotes Initiate (0) Apr 26, 2014 Michigan

    I've heard a few people talk about this tour. The "special" something is not always the same, but I've heard of it being previous Backstage beers, specifically I know that recently some people had Mango Magnifico, Bolt Cutter, and Doom (not all on same tour).
     
    #2 Smokesnotes, Mar 12, 2015
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  3. FaradayUncaged

    FaradayUncaged Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Michigan

    Have they mentioned the tasting being more guided than "This is an IPA. The ABV is 7 and the IBU is 80." ?
     
    #3 FaradayUncaged, Mar 12, 2015
  4. SoxFan

    SoxFan Zealot (720) Jun 16, 2014 Indiana
    Trader

    i thought the tour and tasting was a great experience. was there end of december. our "special" tasting was mango magnifico, bolt cutter and 2010 kbs. they had cbs flowing on tap all day as well. i was impressed. and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. other than specific recipes, they will answer any questions and give you any info you ask about.
     
    #4 SoxFan, Mar 12, 2015
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  5. apendecto

    apendecto Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Michigan

    What stops me from taking the tour is the price. I've been on a million brewery tours and they are all more or less the same. I'd love to see the underground cellar, but for $30?
     
    #5 apendecto, Mar 12, 2015
  6. FaradayUncaged

    FaradayUncaged Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Michigan

    The tour sans tasting is $10. Just select the 'Tour Only' option in the first drop down.
     
    #6 FaradayUncaged, Mar 12, 2015
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  7. FaradayUncaged

    FaradayUncaged Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Michigan

    That's quite the lucky list. So that was in addition to a tasting of everything otherwise on tap in the taproom?

    It sounds like the "guided tasting" is worth it from both knowledge and quality of what's provided.
     
    #7 FaradayUncaged, Mar 12, 2015
  8. FaradayUncaged

    FaradayUncaged Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Michigan

    Pulled the trigger today and ordered tickets for our visit in two weeks. I'll let you know what 'special' beer they pull out for us.
     
    #8 FaradayUncaged, Mar 13, 2015
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  9. strohme2

    strohme2 Pooh-Bah (2,001) Nov 3, 2007 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    @FaradayUncaged I posted this exact question via a FB page I frequent. The consensus was DO IT. My wife and I will be at the March 28th tour+tasting. I have been on many other brewery tours, am a Founder's homer and have had all the Backstage beers but I'm super excited.
     
    #9 strohme2, Mar 14, 2015
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  10. SoxFan

    SoxFan Zealot (720) Jun 16, 2014 Indiana
    Trader


    Off the top of my head, the beers from the regular rotation were all day, red's rye, dirty bastard, and maybe one other. i had a red's rye before but apparently not fresh. those amarillo hops are killer when fresh.
     
    #10 SoxFan, Mar 14, 2015
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  11. FaradayUncaged

    FaradayUncaged Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Michigan

    So it's not necessarily everything that is on tap in the taproom?
     
    #11 FaradayUncaged, Mar 14, 2015
  12. FaradayUncaged

    FaradayUncaged Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Michigan

    That's the same one we'll be there for! It definitely sounds worth it, and whatever we don't sample on the tour I fully intend to try in the taproom afterward. I'm new to most of the backstage releases, so I'm hoping to sample at least one I haven't had before. My wife and I have done many brewery tours before as well, yet somehow I'm much more excited about this one.

    We'll see you there!
     
    #12 FaradayUncaged, Mar 14, 2015
  13. SoxFan

    SoxFan Zealot (720) Jun 16, 2014 Indiana
    Trader

    pours are 4-6 oz and they usually have at least 12-15 different beers on tap at any given time. my math says that you would carry me out after tasting all of those in an hour on top of the special tasting :slight_smile: It's more than a fair tasting for the price. and you also get a certificate for a free beer at the bar as well as a glass. Enjoy and have a great time!
     
    #13 SoxFan, Mar 15, 2015
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  14. DrinktotheDead

    DrinktotheDead Initiate (0) Feb 11, 2014 Michigan

    Nike.
     
    #14 DrinktotheDead, Mar 15, 2015
  15. apendecto

    apendecto Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Michigan

    The secret to Founders is the 4 oz (or whatever size it is) pour.
     
    #15 apendecto, Mar 15, 2015
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