Founders Brewing Co. mug club members on Sunday got a special preview of the expanded taproom and many liked what they saw — and drank.
Snazzy New Beer Garden: Founders revamped taproom has this and more. (Photo/Charley Honey)
For those who love fine beer along with their art, Founders Brewing Co. is reopening just in time.
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Grand Rapids’ ever-expanding brewery will open its doors to the public at 11 a.m. today (Monday), 13 days after closing for major renovations to its taproom and two days before the start of the mammoth ArtPrize competition downtown.
Re-Purposed: The bar from Founders’ former location has found a home in the expanded taproom. (Photo/Charley Honey)
Scores of Founders’ roughly 1,700 mug club members got a preview of the place Sunday and they weren’t disappointed in the refurbished space that includes an improved stage and sound system for live music.
They hoisted a toast to the spacious new digs as Mark Dorich, director of retail operations, welcomed the ale aficionados and introduced a short promotional film. It retraced the brewery’s growth over 16 years from a humble pub on Monroe Avenue NW to its sprawling home at 235 Grandville Ave. SW.
The showcase of the $26 million project’s second phase is a 3,975-square-foot, open-air beer garden fronting Grandville. Two roaring firepits and ceiling-installed space heaters kept patrons plenty warm on a cool and drizzly day, while the staff kept them amply supplied with Red’s Rye and other favorite brews. I found the Inspired Artist Black IPA, recently rolled out to benefit ArtPrize programming, particularly, well, inspired.
Ready for ArtPrize: Refurbished taproom.
Inside, the bar from the original Founders has found a second life in a cozy alcove off the main taproom – a welcome historic and homey touch to those of us who have been hoisting since those halcyon days back in the Brass Works Building.
As mug club member Ben Chiauk smartly observed, “They’ve scaled up without going upscale.”
For musicians, a higher stage with new lighting, acoustic tiles and added speakers designed to better distribute the sound were a welcome sight as well.
Founders entertainment coordinator Joey Basch told Local Spins that Founders has added acoustic treatments, new speakers and subwoofers, and given sound techs the wireless ability to mix sound from anywhere in the larger-capacity room.
“It’s pretty incredible, it’s beautiful,” said singer-songwriter Jennifer Wilson, a faithful Founders fan since the Brass Works days. “I’m excited to hear music and play music (and) to be able to see the musicians.”
The taproom will continue to host national and regional acts Thursdays and Saturdays, with occasional Sunday shows as well.
Fans can check out that improved musical environment for themselves later this week when Founders resumes live music with a bang at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, hosting a free “grand re-opening show,” starring West Michigan faves Cabildo, Punksuhate, AOK, Hundo and The Boogiman (DJ Spydre Murphy).
— Charley Honey for Local Spins, with John Sinkevics
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
