Filling in for Founders: Four Other Beers To Buy
If you haven’t been following the news surrounding Founders Brewing, we suggest catching up by reading these articles:
Long story short, Founders has since settled the lawsuit, but it’s hard to support a brewery that is tone-deaf to issues of this nature. You may also know that Founders is no longer an American-owned brewery, with Mahou San Miguel recently increasing their ownership to 90%.
And so, you may have noticed many people—taprooms and consumers alike choosing not to buy Founders. Call it the “Cancel-culture” or whatever, but consumers these days are putting more power behind their dollars. So, if you’re like us and find yourself skipping Founders when you head to your local liquor store, here are some local and regional replacements that will support breweries who aren’t embroiled in controversy.
Session IPA: Trinity Brewing Doodle IPA
All Day is Founders’ Session IPA coming in at a crushable 4.7% ABV and 42 IBUs, but we’ve got one better. Instead of picking up a 6-pack of All-Day, reach for Trinity’s Doodle Beer. Trinity’s hazy pale ale comes in at 75 “hop-bursted” IBUs and has that signature hazy IPA soft mouthfeel. If you’re looking to have a few at lunch and not affect your productivity in the afternoon, this is the session IPA for you.
“Smooth!” — Untappd User Logan M.
Scotch Style Ale: Dueces Wild Brewing Knuckle Dragger
While Founders’ Dirty Bastard has long been a favorite, put down the shorty bottle and head to Colorado Springs’ latest GABF Gold Winner. Dueces Wild’s Knuckle Dragger will quickly make you forget you even liked Dirty Bastard in the first place. Coming in at 7% ABV and 30IBUs, Knuckle Dragger is a quintessential scotch-style ale, dominated by rich caramel flavors and roasted malts.
“Sweet with dark sugar and caramel flavors. Light grain finish. Really darn good.” — Untappd User Mike S.
Bourbon barrel-aged Stout: Odell Brewing Barreled Treasure
One may think finding a replacement for KBS would be difficult, but we had a hard time picking which one would fill this spot. Would it be Weldwerks’ Medianoche or Achromatic series beers? Or would we head back to Oskar Blues for their incredible Ten Fidy? We continued ever Northward to Fort Collins and Odell Brewing. Their newly-released Barreled Treasure is a complex beast, barrel-aged in both rum and bourbon barrels, hence its 11% ABV and brimming with syrupy molasses, espresso and chocolate flavors.
“Omg yes. The coffee in this is splendid! Super smooth for 11%” — Untappd User Kellen B.
Fruited Sour Ale: Paradox Beer Company MF GOSE
If you’re looking for a replacement for Rubæus, look no further than any of the MF GOSE beers that Paradox releases. We’ve been really enjoying the Salted White Peach MF GOSE they recently released, but the Salty Limes, Pamplemousse and the Mango Limon have all equally been killer.
“Light, peachy, effervescent” — Untappd User Josh C.
So next time you head to the beer store, skip past Founders and try one of these, or find another favorite—that’s up to you. Cheers!
