Kelce brothers tap Founders to potentially brew for football stars’ beer brand

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Founders Brewing Co. could become the brewer for a beer brand partially owned by the Kelce brothers.

Filings with the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau show that earlier this month, Founders received approval for two labels for Garage Beer, a brand partially owned by brothers and football stars Jason and Travis Kelce.

A Founders spokesperson told News 8 nothing has been formalized.

“We are always exploring potential contract brewing partnerships,” a statement from the Grand Rapids-based brewery said. “At Mahou USA and Founders, we prioritize quality and excellence in everything produced at our breweries. Contract brewing allows us to assist other breweries by sharing our expertise, techniques and procedures, and we occasionally enter into these partnerships. Regarding Garage Beer, nothing has been formalized yet – so we’re not ready to share more on that at this time.”

“I have great respect for the business that Founders has built and the quality standards that they have for all of their products as a brewer,” Garage Beer co-owner Andrew Sauer told News 8 partner Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, which first reported on the expected partnership.

He told Crain’s the partnership is still in the early stages, and “we are not at a place to comment too much.”

Garage Beer was first started in Ohio, the Kelce brothers’ home state. In June, it announced the Kelce brothers had become “significant” owners and would help operate the brand.

As of June, Garage Beer was sold in 13 states, including Michigan, with the brand looking to expand.

“People crave quality and simplicity, and Garage Beer nails both for me. We are light beer drinkers and Garage is the best light beer,” Jason Kelce said in a June release. “For me, the brand fits my lifestyle, and having a few beers is a great excuse to get the neighbors together.”

His brother, who is dating Taylor Swift, said for him, it comes down to the brand’s quality.

“I think everyone knows I like to have a couple beers now and then, so being an owner of Garage Beer and heavily involved in making the best light beer is exciting,” Travis Kelce said in the release. “There is nothing better to bring people together than an ice-cold beer, and for Jason and me that is what beer is all about — friends, family and fun. I have worked with Andy for years and I really trust the team and their approach to running the business. We look forward to taking Garage Beer to the next level.”

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