A popular beer brewed right here in Grand Rapids is going away for a while.

Beer lovers are going to miss it.

Founders Brewing Co. released their 2013 availability calendar last month.  A total of 15 beers are listed under the categories of "year-rounds", "seasonals", and "specialties".

Founders makes a wide variety a great beers and have been recognized across the country for doing so.  Now, one of those beers will no longer be bottled all year...

 

Founders Red's Rye PA

Red's Rye PA is being moved from "year-round" to "specialty".

Red's Rye PA will now be only be bottled for two months of the year (September and October) instead of all twelve. It is also being moved from being sold as a six pack to being sold as a four pack and the price per bottle is going up.

Serious hop bitterness, along with an unyielding grapefruit bouquet from the Amarillo dry hop, balances the malty richness of four varieties of imported Belgian caramel malts. Pours a spectacular crimson with a creamy tan head. A generous addition of rye malt accentuates a spicy, crisp finish.

Yup.  I agree.  Bitter with a little grapefruit and a nice finish.  Picking a favorite beer is a tough choice, but if I had to.  It would be Founders Red's Rye PA.

But don't take my word for it.  Thousands of reviewers agree, giving Red's Rye PA a near-perfect score.

Why shorten production of Red's Rye PA?

Simple.  Short shelf life.  The shelf life of Red's Rye PA is 90 days.  That ties it for the shortest shelf life of any of Founders' beers.  Decreasing availability will increase demand and help to ensure the beer won't stay on store shelves longer than it's meant to.

The decision to make the change was not taken lightly.  Founders explains:

We discussed modifying the Red’s Rye PA recipe to extend the shelf life, and researched it for some time, but it simply wouldn’t be the same beer. As difficult as this is, we aren’t willing to compromise our recipe and a beer that we believe in just to get it on the shelves longer.

Red's Rye PA will remain available on draft at Founders and other locations.  But not in bottles.  The final bottles of 2013 will ship in February.

Here's the 4-step plan to success in 2013:

  1. Stock the fridge with Red's Rye PA in February.
  2. Head to Founders.
  3. Grab a bar stool.
  4. Order a Red's Rye PA!

 

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