2beerguys beer blog

Brewery News – Founders Fest 6/18, Two Track IPA and 750 mL series (April)

Here is some recent news from Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan:

2011 Founders Fest – a celebration of beer and music

WHAT: Founders Fest. Our biggest party of the year, celebrating our three greatest loves: the city we live in; our fantastic, critically acclaimed beer; and really awesome music.

WHEN: Saturday, June 18th, 3–11pm.

WHERE: 235 Grandville Avenue SW. Downtown Grand Rapids. We shut down the taproom and move the party outside, closing off the streets surrounding the brewery, with a majority of the Fest’s vast expanse taking place on the beautiful brick-paved of Grandville Avenue.

WHO’S PLAYING: This year’s lineup is absolutely sickening, and by sickening, we mean INCREDIBLE AND YOU’LL LOVE IT.

We’re really stoked for this year’s headliner: GALACTIC (Legendary Jazz, Brass, Funk outfit from New Orleans)

And we’re also pretty geeked about the rest of the lineup. Here it is in a slightly particular order:

• RUBBLEBUCKET (Genre-smashing afrobeat-inspired jazz dance from Boston)
• TERRAPIN FLYER with MELVIN SEALS of the Jerry Garcia Band (The world’s greatest Grateful Dead tribute band from Chicago)
• THE RAGBIRDS (Awesome upbeat folk and world music from Ann Arbor)
• STEPPIN’ IN IT (Fun, witty, bluegrassy creole from Lansing)
• AB! & COCONUT BROWN (Danceable, inspired, thoughtful and aware full band LIVE hip-hop from Grand Rapids)
• FBC ALL-STARS (An all-Founders-employee supergroup featuring members of Chance Jones, The Total Blam Blams, Lights at Sea, Oracle, The Nicholas James Band and probably a ton of other bands cause these dudes are awesome)
• DJ SPYDRE MURPHY (Our own resident master of wax)

WHAT IS THERE TO EAT AND DRINK: Most of your Founders Favorites will be cold and flowing, along with some killer specialties and a beer or two JUST for the event. We’ll have some limited n/a bevs, too, for you to stay hydrated. Food vendors like The Cottage Bar and The Pita House will be on site for you to get your grub on.

WHAT IS THERE TO ENTERTAIN ME: Incredible live music all day, a local artist’s row featuring the wares of some of the area’s finest artists, roving entertainers to keep you on your toes and make you laugh and/or smile, Founders merchandise as well as commemorative Founders Fest gear available for purchase, all your favorite Founders employees, thousands of the coolest people around, and undoubtedly, a LOT more.

HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME AND HOW DO I GET TICKETS: Advance tickets are available April 14 both in our taproom and at www.foundersbrewing.com through our friends at Brown Paper Tickets. You should be able to simply search “Founders Fest” and purchase tickets from this awesome fair trade ticket site. Advance tickets are only $15 for the general public and $10 for 2011 Mug Club Members. Day-of tickets will be $20 for the general public and $15 for 2011 Mug Club Members. Without a doubt an incredible value. *Keep in mind, Founders Fest is strictly 21+.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.foundersbrewing.com/

Two Track – All Day IPA

We’ve voted (including myself) and the decision has been made.  On March 31st, on the Founders Blog, Sarah announced that they would be releasing a new beer, but needed our help to pick the name.

We’d been working on developing a cutting edge beer for two years or so, and we were able to perfect the recipe recently. Unfortunately, we ran into some rights issues with the working name we’d been using. But we’re brewers and craft beer geeks.

When we run into obstacles, we see opportunities. We realized this was our chance to see what the people who drink our beer think. Hey, if you like us, then we respect your opinion, because we know you know what’s good. So we’re asking for your help in choosing a name and a label for this new beer.

Here are the stats:

• A description. The beer you’ve been waiting for. Keeping your taste satisfied while keeping your senses sharp. An all-day IPA naturally brewed with a complex array of malts, grains, and hops. Perfectly balanced for aggressive aromatics, moderate bitterness and a remarkably clean finish. It’s the perfect companion for tall tales around the bonfire, working around the yard, or introducing great craft beer to your Uncle Ernie and Aunt Claudia.
• The stats. 4.7% ABV, 42 IBUs, 6 SRM
• Tasting notes. Fresh and hoppy, tropical fruits, oats and wheat.
• Ingredients. Three varieties of malts, Simcoe and Amarillo hops (among others).
• The accolades. Won a silver medal at the 2010 GABF.

The choices were:

• All Day IPA
• All Day Long
• Two Track – All Day IPA: WINNER

Here is the All Day IPA label:

750mL Series
When we purchased our new bottling line, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to look into a large format bottle to explore our Backstage Series by releasing limited runs of historically taproom-exclusive beers–and some new surprises. We chose a 750mL bottle for you to be able to share with your friends. The first beer in this series will be released later this year.

http://www.foundersbrewing.com/