Founders Brewing Co. today announced the release of Bolt Cutter, a 15% ABV barley wine brewed in celebration of the company’s 15th anniversary. The beer will be available in Founders’ taproom from November 11 through 16 through a ticketed release system only, and in stores November 19.
Dry-hopped with a mountain of Cascade hops, Bolt Cutter is a cellarable barley wine with an ABV of 15% that is balanced by a malty sweetness and spicy complexity, resulting from barrel aging some of it in bourbon barrels, some in maple syrup-bourbon barrels and some using standard fermentation only. The brewery has allowed the beer to mature in bottles and kegs since July so that it would be perfect for its November release. Bolt Cutter pours a deep copper color and is best sampled at different temperatures to allow the flavors to unfold.
And there’s a story behind the name. “Years ago,” said Co-Founder, President & CEO Mike Stevens, “when our brewery was located on Monroe Ave in Grand Rapids, we were defaulting on our loan. Eventually, the bank called and threatened to chain our doors shut if we didn’t come up with the money that we owed them. We had seven days to come up with half a million dollars.”
“So I bought a pair of bolt cutters,” said Co-Founder, Vice President of Brand & Education Dave Engbers. “We were determined to keep our doors open and to keep brewing beer, no matter what it took. Luckily, we never had to use them.”
Engbers keeps the bolt cutters in his office as a reminder of how far the brewery has come and the journey they’ve taken since brewing their first beer in November 1997.
To thank the company’s fans and followers in West Michigan for their years of support, Founders is throwing a free anniversary party on November 17 in their taproom, located at 235 Grandville Ave. SW.
About Founders Brewing Co.
Established in 1997 by two craft beer enthusiasts with day jobs and a dream, Founders Brewing Co. has made a distinctive mark on the craft beer community by brewing complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics and tons of flavor. Founders is one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in the nation, currently ranking among the top 50 largest craft breweries in the U.S. The brewery has received numerous awards from the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival, and its beers are often rated among the best in the world by RateBeer and BeerAdvocate users. Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders is a proud member of the Michigan Brewers Guild and the Brewers Association. For more information, visit www.foundersbrewing.com.
SOURCE Founders Brewing Co.
