Dave Engbers
Dave Engbers is the Co-founder and President of Founders Brewing Co. Founders has made its distinctive mark on the craft beer community by brewing complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics and tons of flavor. It is one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in the nation, currently ranking among the top 20 largest craft breweries in the United States as of 2015.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, Engbers attended Hope College where he met fellow Founders Co-founder Mike Stevens. The pair spent their college years dreaming of opening a brewery and, after a few years spent on unsatisfying career paths, Engbers and Stevens decided they never wanted to look back on life with regrets. They wrote a business plan, secured funding and opened the doors of Founders Brewing Co. in 1997.
Building the brewery from the ground up, the pair had to spend time in every role. As the brewery expanded and became successful, Engbers now leads the charge as the face and personality of Founders.
Founders has enjoyed remarkable success, far outpacing its competitors in the craft beer industry. The company has seen its annual barrel output nearly double each of the last seven years while distribution has expanded from seven states to 37. Since 2009, the company has expanded its facility consistently to keep up with product demand. Founders shipped 269,701 bbls in 2015 and anticipates an output of 415,000 bbls at the end of 2016,
Engbers, his wife Amy, and their four kids live in Grand Rapids. Outside of work, Engbers can most often be found in the kitchen entertaining friends or taking advantage of the great outdoors in Michigan.
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