Founders Solid Gold 12Pk

Founders Solid Gold 12Pk is a 12-pack of the crisp, American-style craft lager from Founders Brewing Company, brewed at 4.4% ABV. Earning a 93 on RateBeer, Solid Gold stands apart from standard adjunct lagers by incorporating Lemondrop hops and craft-level attention to malt character while keeping the body light and supremely drinkable.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.4%  |  Origin: Grand Rapids, Michigan  |  Style: American Lager  |  Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Founders Brewing Company, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, built its reputation on bold ales like KBS and All Day IPA before turning its attention to the lager category with Solid Gold. Brewmaster Jeremy revamped the recipe around lager yeast, flaked corn, and a malt bill of 2-Row and Crystal malts, then hopped it with Perle for bittering and Lemondrop for aroma — a specialty hop that delivers a distinct citrus and herbal character rarely found in the style. The result bridges the gap between approachable American lager and craft brewing precision, using traditional adjunct grains but with deliberate, flavor-driven intent.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Clean cereal grain leads, followed by subtle lemon zest and a faint herbal quality from the Lemondrop hops. A whisper of fresh bread rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is crisp and dry, with grainy sweetness and a soft corn character at the front. Mid-palate, gentle notes of citrus, peach, and fresh-cut grass emerge before the Lemondrop hops provide a zesty, lemon-herbal lift that balances the doughy malt sweetness. Bitterness remains deliberately low throughout.

Finish: Short and clean with a lingering bready, doughy quality and a dry snap. The corn sweetness fades quickly, leaving a refreshingly neutral close.

How to Drink Solid Gold

Serve cold — around 38–42°F — straight from the can or poured into a pilsner glass to appreciate the pale gold color and bright carbonation. Solid Gold works well in a Michelada, where its clean lager base lets the tomato, lime, and hot sauce shine. Try it in a Shandy mixed with fresh lemonade, playing off the existing Lemondrop hop character. It also makes a reliable Beer-a-Rita, subbing in for generic lager with noticeably more depth.

Best For

• Stocking the cooler for a summer cookout or tailgate
• Introducing craft-curious friends to a flavorful but approachable lager
• Pairing with grilled foods at a backyard barbecue
• Keeping on hand as an everyday, session-weight beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Solid Gold taste like? Solid Gold delivers crisp cereal grain and gentle corn sweetness up front, with a distinctive lemon-herbal note from Lemondrop hops and a dry, bready finish that stays clean and refreshing.

How does Solid Gold compare to Yuengling Traditional Lager? Both are American lagers with a malt-forward, easy-drinking profile, but Solid Gold runs lighter in body and less overtly sweet than Yuengling Traditional. The Lemondrop hop addition gives Solid Gold a citrus-herbal brightness that Yuengling's more caramel-leaning grain bill does not share.

Is Solid Gold good for beginners? Solid Gold is an excellent entry point for anyone transitioning from mainstream lagers to craft beer, as it keeps the familiar crisp, light body while adding genuine hop character and a more nuanced malt profile at an easy-going 4.4% ABV.

Where is Solid Gold made? Solid Gold is brewed by Founders Brewing Company at their facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city widely regarded as one of America's top craft beer destinations.

What foods pair well with Solid Gold? Grilled chicken or bratwurst — the dry lager cuts through fat and char. Fish tacos — the lemon hop note echoes a citrus squeeze. Sharp cheddar — grain sweetness complements the cheese's bite. Salted pretzels — a classic, low-key lager match. Light salads with vinaigrette — Solid Gold's crispness won't overpower delicate greens.

What sizes does Solid Gold come in? Solid Gold is commonly available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as 15-packs and 6-packs depending on market availability.

Is Solid Gold worth the price? Solid Gold positions as a premium session lager that costs modestly more than domestic macro lagers but delivers noticeably better hop character and malt complexity, making it a strong value within the craft lager tier.

Why Solid Gold?

The use of Lemondrop hops is the key differentiator here — it gives Solid Gold a zesty citrus-herbal dimension that almost no other widely distributed American lager offers. Founders built their name on aggressive, high-ABV styles, and that brewing expertise translates into a technically precise lager where every ingredient serves a purpose. With a 93 rating on RateBeer and over 110,000 check-ins on Untappd, Solid Gold has earned broad recognition as one of the more thoughtfully constructed craft lagers on the market. At 4.4% ABV, it stays firmly in session territory without sacrificing the flavor that justifies reaching past the macro shelf.