Founders Brewing Co. Reviews

Waiter was not as helpful and knowledgeable as ones we have had in the past. The food and the beer was excellent

Due to the unfair business practice of distribution of products between local and big box stores. It would be much appreciated if you can come pick up your products. We can no longer support marketing this brand that wants to only support big box business and not support local businesses when it comes to distributing their speciality products. I encourage other local businesses that are not big box to really consider what is going on and take a stand.
Memeber of AARA Midwest

Founders Tap Room is NOT family friendly or able to handle large groups.
11/24/2018 started when I called the Tap Room early to see if they would accommodate a reservation since we were bringing a larger group of 11 people that included 2 senior citizens, 4 children and someone with a broken ankle. I was informed that the Founders Tap Room that they do not accept reservations.
A few minutes before 4 pm, my husband and I arrived early to set up our seating arrangements. We found a larger table in the first room we entered, but it only fit 6-8 chairs. I asked a wait person with purple hair how we could arrange the table to accommodate 11 people. She told me that people usually move table and chairs together from other parts of the restaurant because that was easier for her . My husband and I moved a smaller table and chairs next to the longer table. We arranged the chairs for 11 guests and a different wait person started setting place settings to get ready for our group.

Out of nowhere, the Manager, Aimee Stevenson, arrived with a negative attitude telling us that we could not move the tables together without a valid explanation. I explained to her that her staff member with the purple hair told us to move the tables together, but she refused to listen to our reasoning. I asked her for another solution since we had 11 people about to arrive for a family reunion, and she did not have a workable solution. She pointed out smaller tables in the same room that could fit 4-6 people, and then told me to walk into the other room to see if tables were available.

Based on her suggestion, I hobbled over to the other room with my broken ankle in a cast, and I looked up to see her walking so close behind me that she was almost hovering over me. I told her on a few occasions to get away from me since I could figure out a solution on my own. Her only suggestion was to use a table that was the same size as was available in the other room (up to 8 seats). She recommended that the other 3 people sit on a bench without a table surface to eat from. This was an unacceptable solution since were planning to eat appetizers, dinners, drinks, dessert not just a casual gathering.

As we were walking back to the original table, I told her that I wasn t sure this place was going to work for our needs, and that I was going to write a negative review about how I was being treated, and how the Founders Tap Room was not able to accommodate large family groups based on lack of reservations and larger tables. To my extreme surprise, this is the point where she snapped. She told me that I had to leave the premise immediately. When asked, she did not provide me with any reasoning, and I am was utterly shocked since I purposely and carefully avoided yelling, use of profane language and interference with any other patrons. She told me she was going to call the police if I did not leave immediately. I have NEVER been threatened like this in over 50 years of dining at restaurants. I asked her for the name of the President since I wanted to contact him about this experience. She refused to give me that contact name, but she said she would get me a card for her District Manager, and then left.

While waiting for the contact name, I walked outside to let our guests know what was going on. I walked inside and out a few times checking to see if she had returned with the business card. The last time I attempted to go inside to retrieve the card, a wait staff employee wearing a skirt who was waiting on tables outside, walked up to me and told me that I was not allowed to enter the restaurant anymore . When I asked him why, he provided no response to my question. I told him I was waiting for the Manager to provide a business card for me, and I continued to walk toward the door. He then pushed me, and he placed his arm across the door and across my throat. When I reached for the business card from the Manager, his arm pushed against my throat. This violent action out of line for the situation.

Great selection of beer for all tastes. Founders is a great brewery, tons of seating inside and out, awesome atmosphere for the college to middle aged crowd.

Really great beer and good food. Very happy with the staff

It's a very warm loving family oriented place to eat drink and mingle and meet new people I highly recommend this place to many people that want to branch out and find a new place to be able to enjoy yourself.

Wonderful service, drinks and food....and I loved the Elk mount!

Come here for lunch or early in the day. If you come here at night or anytime its packed, you get this typical Grand Rapids style seating, it's really awesome. Here's how it works:

You walk in the door and stand in a line. You scan the room looking for people who are wiping their mouths, yawning, or paying the bill. Your heart rate elevates as you've targeted a table about to vacate... Just as you're ready to pounce on it, it gets sniped by someone else who spotted it. Doesn't that sound like fun? This game can last 30 minutes or more. You can grab a table from anywhere in line too, this is the 'honor system' and the entitled individuals in the middle of the line often feel free to grab openings as they appear.

There are several GR restaurants that use this method to fill up their tables -- they don't want to bother with a host who will give you a wait time and walk you to a table when it opens up. It's pathetic.

That being said, the beer is awesome, some of the best in the state, and the sandwiches and light fare they serve is also very good. I love Founder's beer but to visit this place is much like going to a circus. Skip it.

Some of the best beer in the USA. Good prices. Amazingly good food which was a pleasant surprise. I ordered a pork sandwich special with duck fat aioli. Don't miss it.

The food is excellent and the prices wount kill your bank account. They have over 30 different brews I mean for beer that is brewed their. The staff are wonderful and helpful

Great beer. The crowd is kinda noisy and blegh, but its very good drinks and eats.

Founder's is always a good time! Live music tonight!

Great place to go anytime of the day. Great food just wish there was an easier way to get take out. Parking always is bad.

The young lady at the main bar where you order food and beverage needs an attitude check. My friend asked about NA options for me as I m 9 months pregnant and her response was you know this is a brewery... overall wasn t impressed with the service or the chaotic seat yourself atmosphere. If you re lucky enough to get a table you have multiple parties scoping you out and jumping on any opportunity for your spot. The salad was decent, those in my party enjoyed the beer (and yes they have coke products, which should have been the answer to the above question when we asked.) they need better attitudes and a better seating system.

Way better since they remodeled the place! Great beers and great atmosphere! I love the Ipas!

with all respect we like to inform you, our all store will no longer support your brand. please send some one to pick up your all products from our all stores.
if you like us to continue supporting your brand and start supporting us with providing your all new beer release. All New release You Guys Send to Big Box Store . Please have them to support , we can't--
---An Member Of AARA Midwest

Big, crowded, but great. The sandwich I had was really great and the beer I drank was even better.

Great atmosphere and great beer. If you're hungry then I recommend the french bread pizza! Also get here early, it fills up pretty quickly!

Devils Dancer is one mean sandwich, hurts more on the way out than on the way in

Awesome food. Had several different beers. All were fantastic.

Great selection of beers. The atmosphere was just right & a great place to spend the evening. The staff are all friendly & polite.

Checked !
I do not think I need to describe how good this microbrewery is doing! They have a good / quality product. I had theirs beers many times and they are alway amazing. However, this is the first time I have ever been in their facilities. It s pretty impressive. The place is huge and the ambiance is awesome. There is a festival going on today and I had a lot of fun. As far as the beer, I had the All Day IPA, which is their most popular. I m sure most people have had it. @ Founders Taproom - Grand Rapids

Great beer, great food, great people. Love the vibe indoors and on the patio outside, and the multiple bars.

Great variety of beers, love the ones that are bourbon barrel aged! KBS was on tap, always a good night when that's available! Staff was very friendly.

Top notch. Simple menu, mainly sandwiches. Once the bartender knows your "flavor" he'll bring you sample after sample for you to try.

Sandwiches were amazing, drinks were good too. Tavern feeling is cozy.

One of my favorite brew pubs. Great atmosphere, food and beer.

Everyone was very politle and lively. One bartender is specific was Giovanni (I m not positive of the spelling, sorry). He made our first experience at Founders one to remember. Will definitely be coming back!

Attentive staff. Great food. Vegan & vegetarian options. Outdoor patio.

Its ashamed, because I love the beer there. But the set for getting in is awful. We wait in line for 2 hours then they told us that if we dont get called by 815 we wont get in. We waited for 2 HOURS JUST TO BE TOLD NO!!! Thats ridiculous!

Best beer on earth, customer service is hit or miss. Can't beat the sandwiches anywhere!

Great beer and food. The live music here can be fun too.

Great beer. Great food. Very knowledgeable staff. Can t wait to go back

Awesome beer, great food and a cool brewery if you have a chance to visit, I would highly recommend it!

Founders never fails to delight the palette! The beer is phenomenal and food always hits the spot.

Food was prepared fairly quickly but they definitely lacked in the customer service department!

Tried 3 bars in downtown Grand Rapids tonight. Founders was by far the best. Best beer, best atmosphere, fast service and actually just a fuzz cheaper. Will be back next time I'm in town.

My favorite brewery. Period. Great vibe and always packed. During summertime, the best outdoor patio setting!

Love their beer. Love the setup of the brewery even more. The tour was cool and the food is great even tho it's overpriced.

Not favoring small liquor stores, playing games and allocating items to big stores. Will stop ordering all Founders.

Highly recommend their beer and the food is not to be missed either!

Service less than fantastic. No organization. Free for all. Mediocre food

Great atmosphere, very friendly staff and great sandwiches and beer. Reasonable prices

Not a beer guy but love founder's rubaeus, it's the only beer I like.

Fun place to go grab a drink and some pub food with friends and family. You have to go up to the window to order food.

This location is part of the microbrewery of the same name. You like beer? They have it. Tons of it. So many varieties to chose from. More that I could comprehend, really. They do not serve wine, liquor or foo-foo drinks. They have beer and soda pop. It is a microbrewery, after all.

They also serve food. Pub-style foods that are heavy, high calorie and decent portions and oh-so-good. I may have shortened my life by a few minutes eating there, but it was worth it. This is no place for vegetarians, though I guess they have some veggie-vegan friendly stuff on the chalkboard menu, I did not notice them.

You order your beer at the bar and take it to your table. Same with the food, just at the order window nearby. Someone will come by and pick up dirty dishes and refill your Pepsi product soft drinks, but largely it is self serve.

They are a music place with bands and open mic nights. On the night we visited it was open mic night and one patron has missed his calling and should be in a band touring with Ted Nugent or some other notable.

Great beer, obviously. I was glad to see they addressed the parking situation and created more parking. Next up, more seating, please! Awesome outdoor patio, gift shop and beer selection.

Good, crowded but not many beers for ppl who don't like hops

What an amazing place!! The brewery is house to many of the famous founders beers and they have so many of them on tap. The food is delicious and the vibe is simply amazing! This place is Always lively and buzzing! The last time I was here I got a few beers and peanuts and chilled in the sun on the outside patio. Can t wait for the place to open up again

This place is always busy and the servers do the best that they can. Great atmosphere.
One of the times I was here with a friend I left our table to use the restroom and when I came back my friend had left and so my drink had been taken. I told the bartender what happened as I was closing my tab and she gave me a free sample glass of beer. They are great!

**Edit**
Last time I was here my friend ordered something from the menu and they were out of it so the server gave us all a round of shots on the house! He also was so patient with me when I put in a complicated sandwich order. They really go above and beyond.

This has been my favorite brewery since I was old enough to drink. They have grown a ton since then and it can get kinda crazy in there, but it's still hands down my favorite. Best beer and best staff!

Greatly enjoyed the beer, food, entertainment, and service. Thea and Rose were the best. Patient and helped us find the right beers and let us sample a few. Large variety and place is huge with 3 stations and at least 8-10 bartenders. Waitstaff will serve you drinks if you are patient. Very clean. Food is ordered at a window and they give you a light up disc when ready. Sandwiches are huge and can be shared. Did not care for the pickle served with sandwich but the side coleslaw was fantastic. Sweet n tangy but no mayo.
First Sunday of month 5:30-7:30 has Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra free but can donate if wish.

Terrible business. It's not even Michigan owned anymore - they sold out to a foreign investor.

Best brew pub in GRAND RAPIDS. I come here often when I visit. It has great sandwiches.... and thier pickles.are amazing. There is great beer... i repeat great beer. High gravity beer, nitrogen infused rasberry beer was crazy good... thier IPA beers arge amazing. Great people watching here also and such a great environment. Pool tables are available. They also have a gift shop.

They sell beer and also have mini kegs available for sale..

View my pics and follow me for more great places to eat wherever I visit.

Order the 5oz glasses if you want to tour their selections.

Beer is great. The food is amazing. Service at the food stand and bars is amazing.
I wish I could have stayed longer.

F*** off you stupid xylophone hipster your music made us leave it sucked so much.

Great place with seating inside or out, great food, and some of the Best beer on the planet. If you park in the Founder's lot, just have your parking ticket validated inside and parking is free.

Always love coming here, one of my all time favorite places to get a beer and hang out.

There are better places in our city. Great beer, cruddy atmosphere.

I love Founders beer just as much as the next person. However, the way their brewery/dining experience is set up is mind boggling. I ve never seen anything like it before. With an establishment this large, you NEED to have hosts to seat guests. You NEED more servers to take orders.

Arriving at Founders is nothing less than awkward. You have to walk around the place like an idiot looking for people getting their bills and then crowd them until they leave. Then you can t sit down while the server cleans the table and you have to tell 4 other parties the table is taken.

If you are hungry and come on a busy night you might as well look somewhere else unless you can wait an hour or more for your food. You have to go up to the bar to order your food, you have to go up to the bar to get your tab, if you want drinks/waters the server comes around maybe every 15-20 minutes.

Founders does one thing very well and that s making great beers, which I ve now learned is best enjoyed anywhere but their brewery.

I really appreciated the social distancing serving table design to protect the employees at Founders

Beer was good, food was ok, but seating yourself was not so cool. Service was lacking. I tried waving to three waiters to no avail. Had to go to the bar twice to get my beer.

While attending Art Prize this past Sunday, I was very excited to visit Founders Brewery for the first time. We passed many other restaurants on our 13 minute walk, but we had our sights set on Founders. When we arrived, I stopped in the restroom. No stalls had toilet paper and all of the automatic soap dispensers were empty. My boyfriend mentioned his soap dispensers were empty as well. It took us a while to find a spot to sit due to the busy time we arrived, which was fine, but eventually we settled somewhere outside on the end of a longer table. Our waitress greeted us in a timely fashion, and we asked for a flight. When she came back with our credit card, we mentioned we were still deciding what we wanted to eat, and she told us she'd be back shortly. After about 5 minutes, we began searching for our waitress. She was no where in sight until another 5 minutes later. We kept trying to make eye contact with her but she walked past our table plenty of times and kept helping the people who came in after us before finally noticing our friendly wave after 20 minutes. We kindly asked for our check and left. We couldn't even order a regular sized beer after tasting the flight because she never once returned to our table. We understood it was a busy time, but she could have said, "I'll be right with you guys!" She had disregarded us completely. We will try again the next time we are in GR, and hopefully have a better experience.