Heading to Grand Rapids, MI

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Ken134, Aug 30, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Ken134

    Ken134 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2013 Illinois

    I'm headed to Grand Rapids on Thursday, Sept 1st & Friday, Sept 2nd. Does anyone have any recommendations for pints & food? I've done some initial research and realize that there is no way I can cover that many breweries in two days (family trip). Just curious if some stuff is worth skipping or a definite must-visit?
     
    king75 likes this.
  2. djtothemoney

    djtothemoney Zealot (591) Nov 30, 2015 Ohio

    HopCat and Founders are absolute musts.
     
    Ken134 likes this.
  3. gratefulbeerhead

    gratefulbeerhead Initiate (0) Dec 7, 2009 Indiana

    Brewery Vivant is an excellent stop!
     
    Ken134 likes this.
  4. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You can't skip Founders if you haven't been and are from out of town. I've only been twice, but have hit it up both times the past couple years on the annual trek with my family up to Traverse City. I think the food is overrated (I'd prefer some bar/pub food like burgers, etc. instead of just sandwiches), but they have great beers and I've been able to take my kids with me without problem. And to that last comment, both times were a Saturday leading into the evening time, so it was trending more towards the "going out" crowd, but it was still cool.

    I'd really like to get to Vivant as well sometime since I tend to dig the Belgian styles they focus on.
     
    Ken134 likes this.
  5. AnchorDrops

    AnchorDrops Initiate (0) May 11, 2013 Michigan

    Vivant has great food, and currently a great selection of cans, as well as Paris, a wine barrel aged sour.
     
    Ken134 likes this.
  6. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I'll echo the places mentioned above. Brewery Vivant's beers are Belgian inspired (along with some sours), but the beers are not very Belgian-y in my way of thinking. Great food and great vibe there too! Founders is self-explanatory. HopCat is a great beer bar that also brews a couple beers, but they are more renowned for their guest tap list and bottles (as well as their crack fries).
     
    Ken134 likes this.
  7. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    The Mitten has pretty good beer, and pizza.
     
  8. Ken134

    Ken134 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2013 Illinois

    Thanks everyone. This should fun. Founders, Hopcat, Vivant, and Mittens on the way out.
     
  9. jbck109

    jbck109 Initiate (0) May 30, 2010 Michigan

    Greyline brewing has better beer than the mitten! May be better to skip mitten and go there, unless you want pizza. Pizza good, beer...meh. Greyline has a decent patio too!
     
  10. Zaphog

    Zaphog Grand Pooh-Bah (4,676) Sep 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Founders, Vivant, Perrin and HopCat are all musts.
     
    NateJames85 likes this.
  11. Ken134

    Ken134 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2013 Illinois

    Ended up going to HopCat, Vivant, Founders, Perrin, & Crankers in Big Rapids. It was a fun trip and thanks for the suggestions everyone. :slight_smile:
     
    Zaphog and GuyFawkes like this.
  12. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Out of Perrin & Vivant, which did you prefer?

    I'll be up there in a few weeks but it's not a beer-centric trip; I'll probably only be able to pull off one stop. I've already been to Founders & Hop Cat, so I'd like to try something new...
     
    Ken134 likes this.
  13. Ken134

    Ken134 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2013 Illinois

    I prefer Vivant but that was because of the Belgian style beer selection at Vivant.
     
    GuyFawkes likes this.
  14. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    How was Crankers? I usually stop in Big Rapids once a year, but have never been there.
     
  15. Ken134

    Ken134 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2013 Illinois

    It was decent beer with a good menu. Had the Big in Japan (Session IPA, citrus and apricot), Irish Setter (IPA & Red Ale mix), & 5th Voyage Coconut Porter. Wasn't planning on being in Big Rapids, just had to help my brother with car trouble. Sometimes you got to make lemonade when life gives you lemons.
     
    croush likes this.
  16. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I stopped at the Cranker's Grand Rapids location a few months ago and was very pleasantly surprised. I had visited the main location in Big Rapids a few years ago and thought the beers were mostly just average, so I think things have improved quite a bit with this brewery.
     
  17. kgncfl

    kgncfl Pundit (793) Dec 24, 2013 Washington
    Trader

    Lots of good choices, but for a couple of unknown spots I love what they are doing very quietly at Railtown and also the newest spot in GR Creston.
     
  18. sdhopaddict

    sdhopaddict Devotee (373) Oct 9, 2016 California

    I'm heading up to Grand Rapids the first weekend of November and considering visiting Bells, Dark Horse, Transient, and potentially New Holland besides the other recommendations of Vivant and Founders. Is it worth visiting New Holland? I'm only familiar with their BA stouts and we got the Coconut Rum Dragon's Milk already out in San Diego. I also can't find much info online for what they would have on tap.

    Dark Horse is also a ways out of the way but I'm considering it since they don't distribute out to California. Is it worth hitting Bells if I'm not expecting to be into their more malt forward style of IPA? I'm more into west coast and NE style IPAs, thus the potential drive out to Transient.
     
  19. Jmorey

    Jmorey Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2015 Michigan

    New Holland does have a tequila barrel dragon milk tapping soon (later this week? i can't remember) but it will be at both locations. If you'll already going to be in GR I'd say to go to the new GR location. I haven't been but it's all fresh and new, and I imagine would have the same stuff.

    If it was the summer season i'd say hit new holland, oddsides and the coast towns, but it's not...

    Bell's has a lot of pub only offerings on tap usually.

    Also, amazing that you have the coconut rum dragon's milk already, as right here in mid michigan, we don't...
     
  20. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.