Founders Expansion With Beer Garden

 Founders Brewing Co. broke ground on a large-scale taproom expansion project on April 1 that will expand the taproom and add a second floor.
In place of the Grandville Ave. parking spots, Founders is building a 3,975-square-foot partially-covered beer garden that will feature multi-level seating, an outdoor bar and a fireplace. The taproom expansion is the second phase of the brewery’s $26 million overall brewery expansion project that will create approximately 50 new jobs and increase annual production capacity to 340,000 barrels of beer.  Also, the second phase construction will add an educational facility for beer tourists, additional offices, an enlarged deli kitchen and company store. Construction should be completed fall of 2013.
 The taproom will stay open during construction and the current layout will remain unchanged except for the restroom and company store areas.