Founders Brewing Company to host "Firkin Freezeout" beer garden party

On Saturday, February 15 Founders Brewing Company will host the first Firkin Freezeout. The beer garden party will feature 50 firkins, or mini kegs holding roughly 10 gallons of beer. The event will also include ice carving and barbecue. The Freezeout event is open to guests of all ages.

"The entire allotment [of firkins] should yield about 3,072 pints," says Joey Basch, entertainment and events manager at Founders. "The event lasts as long as the firkins do."

"Like a snowflake, no two are alike," says Basch. While the firkins will contain core brews such as Centennial IPA, Red's Rye, All Day IPA, Porter and Dirty Bastard, pours from different firkins of the same brew may have differing flavors. In addition to the core brews, there will be a limited pouring of Ruby Crystal Ale.

"It's a unique opportunity to do this," says Basch. "Ice carving really seems like something children would enjoy." As the first all ages party hosted at the brewery, Basch is happy to finally host an event that welcomes craft beer fans and their kids.

While specific barbecue plans are still under wraps, Basch mentions kabobs and other dishes braised in the brewery's limited edition Smoked Porter, from the experimental Backstage Series.

"We didn't want to take anything away from [Winter Beer Festival] or try to replicate that," says Basch. "We want to do something low pressure, [that] brings appeal and will showcase our outdoor space."

The Firkin Freezeout will be outfitted with freestanding heaters and built in fire pits.

The party will begin at noon on Saturday at Founders brewery. RSVP to the event here.