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Founders Brewing explains why it makes beer ‘Brewed for Us’

October 18, 2013Keith Gribbins

Many craft breweries struggle at first. Many never succeed at all. Founders Brewing Co. is one of those famous brands that almost never made it. Two college buddies quit their jobs, take out big loans and almost go bankrupt brewing craft beer, but they bounced back. How?

Co-founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers found renewal and success by actually simplifying their business plan into a few golden rules, namely, brewing the beers that they loved. Just watch the video above. We dare say it’s poignant (when Stevens gets choked up, we get choked up). It’s a great comeback story, one of those redemption tales, punctuated when Engbers says “If we’re going to go down, we’re going to go down on our own terms.” Those terms meant making the beer they they personally love drinking, which spawned the company’s tagline “Brewed for Us.” It’s a lesson to all craft brewers. After the video, read our exclusive interview with Engbers. It might bring a tear to your eye too.

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Dave Engbers, Mike Stevens reflect on Dirty Bastard and roller coaster ride that was Founders Brewing
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Watch: Founders Brewing shares tips for using a jockey box at beer events

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. cheap jordans says

    November 18, 2013 at 1:10 am

    Set the cost of a $60 look at about $80 and potential clients will turn absent. While you’re it genuine which the straight forward gladness of a

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  2. alcohollawyer says

    October 22, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Poignant video on beginnings of Founders Brewing. http://t.co/NGfBtqNx2C @Foundersbrewing @CraftBrewingBiz

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  3. PourMeABeer says

    October 21, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    Behind the scenes video w/ Co-Founders Mike Stevens & Dave Engbers of @foundersbrewing explaining why they make #beer http://t.co/1KBuSGpEKH

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  4. UrbanArtParty says

    October 21, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    RT @GlunzBeeroness: Founders Brewing explains why it makes beer ‘Brewed for Us’ http://t.co/ruQ3iMXEbV via @craftbrewingbiz

    Log in to Reply
  5. GlunzBeeroness says

    October 21, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    Founders Brewing explains why it makes beer ‘Brewed for Us’ http://t.co/ruQ3iMXEbV via @craftbrewingbiz

    Log in to Reply
  6. Jason Kneupper says

    October 18, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    Jason Kneupper liked this on Facebook.

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  7. Nick Anderson says

    October 18, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    Nick Anderson liked this on Facebook.

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  8. josh_allard says

    October 18, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Is it weird to get emotional over a beer video? Great video on @foundersbrewing via @CraftBrewingBiz http://t.co/WACbhqT6du”

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Trackbacks

  1. Founders Porter – Crafts, Beer, and Craft Beer says:
    December 8, 2018 at 12:01 am

    […] of the weird ones that gets excited about things like messages in weird spots. This one says “BREWED FOR US.”, all caps, period at the end. If you don’t know the story, you should click that […]

    Log in to Reply

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