Founders Brewing Curmudgeon Returns In Kosmicki’s Collection

Founders Brewing Curmudgeon

Founders Brewing Company is bringing back another classic as part of Kosmicki’s Collection, the brewery’s series of small-batch, Michigan-exclusive beers created by Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. The latest return is Curmudgeon, an Old Ale brewed with molasses and oak-aged that brings a substantial 9.8% ABV to the collection.

The new Founders Curmudgeon is being packaged in 12-ounce bottles and is identified on the label as a limited release. The beer’s description promises a rich, malty and deceptively smooth character, with the molasses and oak contributing to a beer described as bold and complex. The vintage-inspired packaging also features Kosmicki’s portrait and signature, reinforcing the connection between the beer and Founders’ longtime brewmaster.

For fans following Founders Kosmicki’s Collection, Curmudgeon joins a series that has already included beers such as Czech Dark Lager, Baltic Porter, Barleywine Ale, Hefeweizen and Imperial Stout. Founders describes the collection as a way to revisit traditional beer styles and recipes that have largely disappeared from modern craft brewing.

Founders Brewing Curmudgeon: A 9.8% ABV Old Ale Brewed With Molasses

The centerpiece of this release is Curmudgeon Old Ale, a traditional-style strong ale that combines malt-forward character with molasses and oak aging.

According to the label, Curmudgeon is an Old Ale brewed with molasses and oak-aged. At 9.8% ABV, this is clearly positioned as a bigger beer, but Founders describes it as surprisingly smooth rather than simply emphasizing its alcohol strength.

The label specifically describes the beer as offering a rich, malty and deceptively smooth flavor, while each sip is characterized as “stubbornly bold and complex,” much like the weathered curmudgeon depicted on the bottle.

That combination makes Founders Curmudgeon particularly interesting for drinkers who enjoy malt-forward beers, traditional Old Ales, strong ales, oak-aged beer and limited Founders Brewing releases.

Founders Brewing Curmudgeon and Kosmicki’s Collection

The Kosmicki’s Collection is one of Founders Brewing’s more focused explorations of traditional beer styles. Founders says the series consists of small-batch, Michigan-exclusive releases brewed by Jeremy Kosmicki and intended to celebrate the roots of craft beer while revisiting forgotten or overlooked styles.

That makes Curmudgeon a natural fit for the collection.

The series began with Czech Dark Lager, followed by additional releases including Baltic Porter and Barleywine Ale. MyBeerBuzz has also previously reported on Founders Kosmicki’s Collection Imperial Stout and Hefeweizen releases.

Curmudgeon continues that exploration with a classic Old Ale, while the molasses and oak aging give the beer its own distinctive identity.

12-Ounce Bottles and Limited Release

The new Founders Curmudgeon will arrive in 12-ounce bottles, with the label clearly identifying the beer as a Limited Release.

The packaging features the Founders logo, the Kosmicki’s Collection branding and a vintage portrait of Jeremy Kosmicki. Musical notes, hops and an old-fashioned label design surround the artwork, giving the bottle a distinctly traditional appearance.

At this point, Founders has not provided release timing or detailed distribution information for this upcoming Curmudgeon release. Stay tuned to MyBeerBuzz for additional Founders Curmudgeon release details and tasting notes as they become available.

Label Text Founders Brewing Curmudgeon:

Founders Kosmicki’s Collection

Curmudgeon

9.8% ALC/VOL

LIMITED RELEASE

OLD ALE BREWED WITH MOLASSES AND OAK AGED

BREWMASTER
JEREMY KOSMICKI

REINSPIRED, TIMELESS CRAFT

NET CONTENTS 12 FL. OZ. (355 ML)

© FOUNDERS BREWING CO., GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503

Curmudgeon is an old ale brewed with molasses and oak-aged. Coming in at 9.8% ABV, this beer offers a rich, malty, and deceptively smooth flavor. Each sip is stubbornly bold and complex just like an old, weathered curmudgeon.

ME VT MA NY IA HI 5¢/OR MI 10¢/OK+ PUERTO RICO/CTRV

FOUNDERSBREWING.COM | PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. DO NOT LITTER.

CA CRV

Related Founders Brewing news on MyBeerBuzz.com:
Follow more coverage of Founders Brewing Company and Kosmicki’s Collection with Founders Czech Dark Lager Coming to Kosmicki’s Collection, Founders Brewing Baltic Porter Coming to Kosmicki’s Collection, Founders Barleywine Ale Coming to Kosmicki’s Collection Bottles, Founders Kosmicki’s Collection Imperial Stout Coming, and Founders Brewing Unveils Kosmicki’s Collection Hefeweizen.

About Founders Brewing Company:

Founders Brewing Company: Grand Rapids Craft Beer Tradition

Founders Brewing Company is a nationally recognized craft brewery based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with roots dating to 1997. Co-founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers started the brewery in downtown Grand Rapids, initially operating from a 9,800-square-foot facility. The brewery’s early years were challenging, but Founders eventually developed a reputation for brewing complex, flavorful beers that helped establish its identity within American craft brewing.

Founders Brewing’s history includes influential beers such as Dirty Bastard, KBS, Breakfast Stout, Centennial IPA and All Day IPA. Jeremy Kosmicki joined the brewing team during the brewery’s formative years and became closely associated with many of Founders’ best-known beers. The brewery’s own history notes that Kosmicki brewed the first batch of All Day IPA, which eventually became one of Founders’ largest and most recognizable brands.

Today, Founders Brewing Grand Rapids remains the brewery’s home, with its facility at 235 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW. The brewery has expanded dramatically from its early days, including major investments in brewhouse capacity, fermentation, packaging, cellar space and barrel-aging operations. Founders says its Barrel House became a major part of its brewing, warehousing, distribution and barrel-aging program.

One of the brewery’s most interesting current projects is Kosmicki’s Collection, a series of small-batch, Michigan-exclusive beers brewed by Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. Founders describes the collection as a tribute to traditional beer styles and recipes that inspired the early craft beer movement. The series focuses on rediscovering classic styles through limited releases rather than simply following mainstream beer trends.

That philosophy makes beers such as Founders Curmudgeon, Baltic Porter, Czech Dark Lager, Barleywine Ale and Imperial Stout particularly relevant to fans interested in traditional beer styles and limited Michigan releases. Curmudgeon, with its 9.8% ABV Old Ale brewed with molasses and oak-aged, fits directly into the collection’s exploration of richer, classic beer styles.

Founders also maintains a major Grand Rapids taproom overlooking the brewhouse. The taproom serves as a testing ground for beers that can be difficult to find elsewhere, including taproom-only releases. The brewery offers tours, events, food, a beer garden and additional visitor experiences.

Founders describes itself as “Born & Brewed in Michigan” since 1997 and continues to emphasize its connection to Grand Rapids and the state of Michigan. The brewery says it remains committed to using Great Lakes freshwater resources responsibly while supporting local causes and businesses.

For fans of Founders Brewing beer, Grand Rapids craft beer, Michigan beer, Old Ales, barrel-aged beers and limited releases, Kosmicki’s Collection provides an ongoing look at the traditional styles and brewing ideas that helped shape the brewery’s identity. Curmudgeon adds another rich, malty and oak-aged entry to that growing collection.

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