Founders Brewing Co. has been a Local First member since 2007 and been the presenting sponsor of the Local First Street Party for 8 years. The Detroit Free Press called the brewery “a downtown Grand Rapids institution that grew from two hopeful co-founders into a major beer influence” and the brewery was recently recognized as the 17th largest craft brewery in the nation. Regardless of its growth and distribution footprint across 32 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and a handful of international markets, Founders continues to deeply value its West Michigan community.
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“It’s important to us ultimately to stay downtown, to stay in Grand Rapids,” says Co-Founder and CEO Mike Stevens. “Grand Rapids is where we started our business. We’ve been growing in Grand Rapids. My partner and me were born and raised in Grand Rapids.”
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Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers both had steady jobs in the late 90s when they decided to chase their dreams and open a brewery–which meant writing a business plan, quitting their jobs, and taking out giant loans. They figured if you’re going to live life, you ought to live it hard, without regrets.
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After some initial challenges, due to making well balanced but unremarkable beers, they were on the verge of bankruptcy. It was at this point that the original Founders team decided to brew the kind of beer that got them excited about brewing in the first place: complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics, bigger body, and tons of flavor. And they haven’t looked back.
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Founders is currently undergoing a facility expansion that will take them to 900,000 bbl of annual capacity—capacity that will be built up over time as new equipment gets installed. This expansion will include a new brewhouse, increased cellar space, splitting out the canning and bottling lines so both can run at the same time, new office space and more.
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The brewery currently employees almost 300 people, referred to as members of the Founders Family. Founders 1700 Mug Club Members, who keep their mugs behind the taproom bar, are considered the extended Founders Family.
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Fun fact: find out more about the Founders phrase “Brewed for us” here.
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A huge thank you to Founders for their support of the Street Party and for partnering with us to celebrate all things local every summer! Find out more about this year’s Street Party (and see what Founders beers will be on tap) on our event page.
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