Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers both had steady jobs when they decided to chase their dreams and open a brewery–which meant writing a business plan, quitting their jobs, and taking out giant loans. They figured if you’re going to live life, you ought to live it hard, without regrets.
After some initial challenges, due to making balanced but unremarkable beers, we were on the verge of bankruptcy. Then, the original Founders team decided to brew the kind of beer that they liked to drink: complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics, bigger body, and tons of flavor.
The Founders Family has grown around a simple statement: “We don’t brew beer for the masses. Instead, our beers are crafted for a chosen few, a small cadre of renegades and rebels who enjoy a beer that pushes the limits of what is commonly accepted as taste. In short, we make beer for people like us.”
We have been lucky to evolve into one of the highest recognized breweries in the United States. In 2011, Ratebeer.com ranked us as the 2nd best brewery in the world (up from 4th best in 2010), and we have several beers listed in the top 100 beers on Beeradvocate.com. We were the 2nd fastest growing brewery in the U.S. in 2009, the winner of 4 medals at the 2010 World Beer Cup, and the winner of 2 medals at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival.
We are proud to be doing what we are doing, and we give great thanks to our customers and credit to our staff for whom we continually work to provide world-class beers.
Our 54,000 square-foot production brewery is located in the city of Oakland Park, in the heart of sunny South Florida. Opened in June, 2013, this facility is the first of its kind in Broward County and the largest brewery in South Florida. This unique facility also features a 3,000 square-foot tap room where our latest offerings, special releases, and brewery exclusive beers are available on tap nightly.
Our job openings change frequently. Check them out and apply here: https://funkybuddhabrewery.com/jobs/
At Cigar City Brewing we make beer we like to drink and toast those who choose to drink with us. Behind all our beer is the philosophy that quality is achieved by giving first rate ingredients to first rate people in a space where they are free to pursue their passion. We acknowledge that what we do at Cigar City Brewing isn’t for everyone, but we welcome all.