Breweries that Built Beer City: Vivant Brewery + Spirits

When Kris and Jason Spaulding opened the doors to Brewery Vivant (now Vivant Brewery + Spirits) in 2010, their French and Belgian-inspired creations opened eyes to styles of beer rarely seen in Grand Rapids, and even West Michigan as a whole. 

Building on the tradition and artistic approach of these and other European beer cultures, Vivant’s beers were far different than Grand Rapids’ first craft breweries, pushing the boundaries of customers mostly familiar with light lagers. 

The brewery broadened beer lovers’ palates with unique, quality beer, as well as French and Belgian-inspired food, and it continues to do so today, as it has broadened its focus to include many other European-style beers, handcrafted spirits and craft cocktails.

Vivant Brewery + Spirits History

There was plenty of beer pedigree behind Vivant Brewery + Spirits, as Jason Spaulding was one of the founders of New Holland Brewing Co. in Holland. 

Spaulding had in mind a small, community-focused brewery making beers not readily seen across the U.S. beer market at the time. 

The Spauldings eventually found the perfect building for their brewery that felt European, evoking a monastery-like atmosphere, which was fitting as some of the most renowned breweries in Belgium are monasteries. The building, a long-time funeral home, was awarded the first-ever LEED certification for a production brewery in the United States. Vivant Brewery + Spirits remains a leader in brewing sustainability today. 

Along with Vivant’s focus on environmental sustainability, a triple bottom line approach means the brewery is focused on treating its neighbors and employees well to help ensure the business is on solid footing. Each year, the business releases its “Beer the Change” report, a look into its sustainability efforts.

In 2024, the Spauldings rebranded Brewery Vivant as Vivant Brewery + Spirits to reflect its expanded beverage program, which includes bourbon whiskey produced in-house in collaboration with Grand Rapids-based Live Fire Republic and clear spirits made by sister company Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits. 

What’s on Tap?

Vivant Brewery + Spirits' beers most often resemble styles found in Europe, like the flagship Farm Hand, a light and slightly sweet farmhouse beer, and Heiabrygg, a Norwegian farmhouse ale.

Other beers in the portfolio tend to be more American-esque takes on traditional styles, like Tropical Saison, refreshing mango-and-pineapple ale . The brewery has also expanded its barrel-aging and sour beer program, and an “Unapologetic Fruit” series, inspired by traditional Michigan pie and fruit fam combinations, has proven incredibly popular. Vivant rotates the beer on its menu, so you’ll find an updated list when you visit, or you can call ahead to see what’s on tap.

Signature cocktails like Fizz de Provence, made with Broad Leaf gin, blueberry and herb de Provence shrub, share space on the menu with classic drinks. Hard ciders, wines and alcohol-free hopwater and zero-proof cocktails are also available.

Grade A Menu

While the beer is delicious - and award-winning - the brewery’s menu is equally delectable and well thought-out. 

From the incredible hamburger to the infamous duck nachos and escargot to a Bosnian feta-and-filo pie, the food menu helped other breweries, even outside of Grand Rapids, begin to push the boundaries and offer out-of-the-box food options.

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits

For much of the brewery’s history, the refurbished funeral home in GR’s Uptown neighborhood housed most of the brewing operations. In the summer of 2019, the Spauldings opened Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits in Kentwood. Broad Leaf gives the company’s brewers more freedom to explore beers beyond the Belgian-style heavy portfolio. In 2022, they opened a second Broad Leaf Underground Bar location on GR's West Side, adjacent to downtown. In addition to craft beer, both Broad Leaf locations and serve spirits and cocktails, including several non-alcoholic options, and each offers a distinctly different food experience.

Check out Vivant Brewery + Spirits on this episode of Beer City Eats, with host Adrian Butler.

For more information on local breweries that offer unique food and craft beer experiences, be sure to download the Beer City Brewsader® Passport app. A visit to Vivant Brewery + Spirits and both Broad Leaf locations brings you closer to earning a free Brewsader t-shit (eight check-ins at local breweries) and free Ultimate Brewsader crewneck sweatshirt (30+ breweries). The app also features an assortment of fun challenges and badges, a list of local beer events, info on beer tours and more. Two other Breweries Yhat Built Beer City - Founders Brewing Company and Schmohz Brewing Company - are included in the Brewsader Passport as well.

Learn more about Vivant Brewery + Spirits from owners Kris and Jason Spaulding:

About the Breweries That Built Beer City series: Grand Rapids first earned the title Beer City USA in 2012, when there were far fewer breweries than the 40+ currently on the Beer City Ale Trail. This blog series focuses on those early pioneers – breweries that built an industry from the ground up starting in 1997 and firmly established the city’s reputation for world-class craft beer.