I recently visited Founder’s, a popular brewery in downtown Grand Rapids. I’ve never really liked beer, but I decided I’d give it a shot because of how well liked the brewery is. With helpful advice from my friends, I was able to enjoy the beverage that had previously never been tolerable to me. The visit inspired me to create a list of my favorite beers for those over 21 that don’t normally enjoy the beverage. Since Founder’s is a local brewery that provides a ton of diverse and unique craft beers, a few of their drinks will, of course, be on the list.

Tropical Fruit – Founder’s

I tried this beer at Founder’s, and its name tells you all you need to know– it’s extremely fruity. It was the only one on the menu that didn’t register on the International Bitterness Unit (IBU) Scale. IBUs are used to measure the bitterness of a beer, and for many of us that dislike the taste of beer, it is the bitterness that bothers us. Indian Pale Ales (IPAs) are usually high on the IBU scale, hence, why for many, it’s an acquired taste. 

Tropical Fruit, on the other hand, isn’t bitter at all. It tastes like tropical fruit juice with carbonation. This beer probably tasted the furthest from alcohol compared to others I’ve tried, so if you want to drink a beer that tastes nothing like one, this could be your go-to. Unfortunately, Founder’s only seems to offer this beer on tap at their taproom downtown or during rare promotions. Yet, there are other flavors such as Mortal Bloom Tropical Fate that Founder’s offers year-round, they are just a bit more bitter. 

Rubaeus – Founder’s

Rubaeus is a raspberry ale. It has a unique wine-like aftertaste with notes of fruit, and it’s probably my favorite beer I’ve tried so far. Somehow, this drink fuses the textures and bitterness of hard cider, all under a blanket of raspberry flavoring. I’d recommend, if possible, giving this one a taste test before buying multiple. From my personal experience, people seem to either hate it or love it. You can find this beer at Founder’s Taproom (nitrogenated as well), and in most local stores. 

Draught Stout – Guinness 

This one is for the coffee lovers. Guinness Draught Stout is a nitrogenated stout that’s smooth, creamy and tastes like strong coffee. It’s different from any other beer I’ve ever tried. One of the best things about this beer is the pour. There’s a specific way to pour these beers into your glass because they are nitrogenated. Then, after pouring, you are supposed to let it settle for a couple minutes before you take your first sip. It is slightly more expensive than your everyday domestic beer, such as Bud Light or Coors, but it’s worth it if you enjoy coffee. My favorite way to drink it is poured from a can into an ice cold glass. 

Brunch – Farmhaus

Imagine this: it’s a crisp autumn afternoon with the windows cracked open. There’s football on in the living room, friends gathered around and there’s an ice cold Brunch cracked in your hand. Brunch is a hard cider, which I feel can be an alternative to traditional beer, and Farmhaus ciders are top-notch. Brunch tastes like maple syrup and cinnamon, layering over the hard cider foundation that begins every delicious Farmhaus beverage. If you aren’t in the mood for a sweet and savory Brunch, or if it isn’t in season, you can always pick from the other classic flavors Farmhaus offers, such as Daily Dry and Midwest Nice. Other seasonal ciders include Sweater Weather, a must have winter beverage, and After Glow, a smoky delight, which are both terrific. In addition, they’re made right down the road from Grand Valley State University. They have a high-quality taproom with a woodsy outdoor seating area to enjoy your drink and the people around you. You can also find their drinks at most superstores and some beer shops.