Hey Everyone - A buddy and I are heading to Grand Rapids for a weekend soon. I've been once before in 2014 for the Homebrewers Conference, but I'm sure things have evolved since then. Looking for suggestions on some of the perhaps lesser known breweries to check out. I've been to.... Founders Harmony Grand Rapids The Mitten Brewery Vivant Schmohz HopCat (realize it's not a brewery) Might be forgetting a place or two. We also hope to hit Three Floyd's and Bell's in route to Grand Rapids. I know New Holland has the newish Knickerbocker that I hope to check out. I've also found some articles online that talk up City Built, Greyline and B.O.B.'s. What do you know/think about the Beer City Runner shuttle service? What are the good liquor stores/bottle shops? Thoughts? Thanks.
If you’re coming from Wiscy I would for sure hit up Transient on the way to MI (it’s not far outside the MI/IN border in MI.
Go to Speciation & Perrin. As for beer stores there may be some new options around but Siciliano's Market was always a great place.
I'd pass on Bell's (out of the way) and hit Transient as Ckoz suggested. It's exit 16 into Michigan. I've enjoyed Gravel Bottom in Ada in addition to some of the others listed. I'd skip BOB. I'm a big fan of Pidgeon Hill in Muskegon and Unruly is a block away and worth a stop. Also Odd Sides in Grand Haven. Also, if you go to Siciliano's, Trail Point in Allendale is 5 to 10 minutes further west on Lake Michigan Drive. Fucking Grand Rapids....too many choices.
Creston is a fairly new brewery just north of the downtown area, and I really enjoyed their beers and food. It's not far from City Built, although I has to drive right past it because of not enough time in the schedule to stop there.
Ive been to GR several times the past few years with most recently being last Spring. Horrocks Market was a great stop. Quite a bit overwhelming with just how much stuff they had along with trying to figure out the layout but staff were very good help. You've got Craft Beer Cellar right next downtown so that's pretty good too. On my trip last spring my favorites were Mitten, Greyline and Harmony. Ended up having lunch at Harmony Hall and really enjoyed the food as well. It's about 40 minutes from GR but if I would have had the extra free time I would have drove to check out Pigeon Hill too. On our first night there last year I ended up ordering their O.C.P. (Oatmeal Cream Pie) Brown from the restaurant we ate dinner and was very impressed. It's the only beer Ive had from them but that one alone almost convinced me to take the drive out to try more of their stuff. Maybe next trip.... Be sure to download the Beer City Brewsader app on your phone too. Check in to 8 breweries and you get a free t-shirt that can be picked up somewhere in town or mailed to you. Just ask the server at each brewery the password and you check in. Didn't have time to pick up my shirt before leaving so submitted it once I got home and they had the shirt mailed to me (they also covered shipping cost) within a couple weeks.
I was up in Grand Rapids around the holidays and it was only for a few days so I don't have a ton to add besides absolutely 100% go to Brewery Vivant. The atmosphere and eclectic beer list is not to be missed. There is also a super, super good food spot right across the street where I had some of the best pad thai I've had in the midwest. Founders was also dope but I was lucky enough to be there a mothership release weekend so the mood around there was probably more exciting than it usually is. I went to Mitten as well, the place was a cluster F, no room for even people waiting, but the beer was pretty alright. They had an amber on that had just won the gold at GABF. Pizza was just so-so
Totally agree. Worth every penny. I have talked to so many people who have used the BCR and every single one has highly recommended.
Will be in town for an overnight trip this week. Def will check out speciation and vivant. What’s the 3 must see spot? Also, is there a must hit dinner spot?
Have you been to Founders yet? If not, you should. But I'd have dinner at Vivant. I think their food is the best of all of the GR breweries.
Sorry, but I don't know anything about butchers union, so can't help you with that. I'm just an occasional visitor to the city like you, and breweries are the only places where I eat when I hit town. I forgot to mention earlier that if you decide to eat at Vivant, be sure to order the duck confit nachos from the appetizer list (it's really a meal item). Absolutely outstanding!
Butcher's is the most reliably awesome place to get food in town. Plus, you're surrounded by a ton of bars/breweries for after dinner spots. Sovengard's Biergarten is a must.
Skip: Schmohz, B.O.B. Hit: Vivant, Greyline, Speciation Siciliano's is far and away the best bottle shop, but Craft Beer Cellar downtown keeps a healthy stock and you get to sip while you search. We have a couple great distilleries too: Long Road and Gray Skies. And if you want a great cocktail experience, find Sidebar. It's magical.
