Founders taproom

How is the place?

Spacious, nice, always busy.

Bottles/growlers?

Yes to both, but no growler fills of Class 3 beers.

Good food?

Yes.

Bottle selection?

Usually have everything available, including Backstage releases, especially lately with Smoked Porter and Sweet Repute. Bottle shops around town usually have prior Backstage releases for a while too.

 

Founders is a great place to hang out.
Last weekend they had Backwoods Bastard is the cooler as well as the regulars so you never know what you will find.
Food is mostly sandwiches but they are some of the best I've had.
They way this year is going we may still have snow on the ground and/or in the air the first week of April!

 

As a fisherman I can tell you that there will most likely either be ice on the lakes or the ice will have just come off. Either way your only hope is to target cold water species. Trout, Pike, etc. Went fishing for smelt last weekend in southern MI and we had to drill thru about 2' of ice, and that was in 80' of water. Good luck!

 

Founders might surprise you with what they have on tap. You said you'll have missed the chance at KBS...You never know with them. They could tap a keg for the "locals" and you might just luck out. As others said, place is a great place. Service has always ranked a top there even when they are super busy. I as well as many others that are in the beer circle love Founders. Can't go wrong with their beer. Food is great as they use a local bakery for fresh bread for all their sandwich's. Hope you enjoy the trip

And if there is any way you can push that trip back to April 19th, that is their annual "Black Party". That will be a good time. Cheers

 

The family and I are headed to GR in two weeks and I am thinking of stopping in early on a saturday for dinner. I have 11 year old twin girls. I know some breweries are more kid friendly then others. Would there be any issue with bringing them?

 

During the day, absolutely not. We just had a family outing with kids to Founders last Friday. I don't think minors are allowed past 9:00 PM.

 

if you are there first week of April then there is a chance you might get some KBS either at Founders or in some off the beaten path stores(not a great chance but a chance none the less). what for and where are you fishing? im assuming steelhead?

 

We need a good thaw but not likely in at least the next ten days. MOST years, steelhead fishing is the hot item around this time. Once that ice finally goes, the rivers will be unfishable for at least two weeks considering how much snow is on the ground. You can still go after Steelies in this cold weather... I just hate dealing with frozen lines and spawn bags. Also, icebergs.

 

yeah first week of April could be a crapshoot this year. with as much snow as we have, if we get a good melt rather than a slow steady melt then the rivers will be BLOWN OUT. the way things are looking though id bet we will still have some snow and the rivers will be in ok shape. should be a really good spring for chrome.

 

ah the PM, possibly my most favorite place ive ever been. i prefer steelhead fishing other rivers in the spring because the PM gets so many people but its my favorite place to be in November for fall steelhead. maybe ill see you out there though, i spend a lot of time all over west Michigan during the spring and fall. doesnt get any better than chrome fresh in from the lake.
this one is from the PM in September. hit me up when you are in the area if you like.

 

yes.

that one was on the flyrod though. i was streamer fishing for kings and i got a nice surprise.

 

Cool to see fly fishermen who like good beer! I'm regularly up in Baldwin fishing around the Green Cottage so hit me up if anybody is heading up.

 

My friend has a cabin in Ruby Creek on the Big South branch of the PM. Fewer fish... But bigger fish! Haven't gone up since November though. Rough winter. Lookin forward to getting up there again.

 

I know this is now a fishing thread, but I thought I'd answer anyway... (Cool pic btw!)
If you are stopping for dinner, I would suggest not to go any later than 5pm if you want a table. It's first come first serve for tables, you just seat yourself. When all tables are full, you are on your own to jump at the first opportunity. I actually like this compared to a debacle like Stella's that can't keep a list straight to save their... (Sorry).
Anyway, it's a friendly place where you can bring your family up until prime dinner time. Awesome sandwiches, and delicious beer.
Enjoy!

 

Hopefully not underwater then!

But seriously, check the taproom website before you go as they change beers quite regularly. Bottles and bombers are available I'm coolers and there is quite a large company store now. They have excellent sandwiches, flatbreads, and appetizers. No kids after 9 as has been mentioned.

 

Oh, and Sweet Repute has been gone for a couple weeks now. I have a feeling the 50 Firkin party wiped that out...