Breweries that Built Beer City: Schmohz Brewing Company

Voted Beer City USA and America’s Best Beer City in multiple nationwide polls, Grand Rapids is firmly established as an international beer destination. Yet only a few decades ago, the city was barely a blip on America’s craft beer radar.

Our Breweries that Built Beer City series focuses on the early pioneers of the city’s beer scene. In this installment, we profile Schmohz Brewing Company – the second longest-running brewery in town.

Schmohz isn’t as high profile as a lot of other Grand Rapids breweries. In fact, it goes about its business rather quietly, with scant social media updates and little if any promotion. But its staying power is a testament to its ability to deliver a satisfying variety of beer styles and flavors, in a laid-back, friendly atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome.

Schmohz’s Origins

Jim Schwerin, a Michigan Technological University alumnus, opened Schmohz in 2004 during the first wave of the local microbrewery industry. Many breweries, including Founders Brewing Co., struggled to make ends meet before craft beer gained significant popularity, and many others closed up shop. In fact, Schmohz opened in the building of the former Robert Thomas Brewing Company.

Then and now, Schmohz looks and feels more like a neighborhood bar than many of its local brewery peers, with a nondescript exterior and a sparsely decorated interior featuring a mix of table and chair styles. There is a pool table, a few pinball machines and some other bar games. The only food served is free popcorn.

The overall effect is to focus visitors’ attention on what really matters to Schwerin: making great beer.

A Community for Locals and Visitors Alike

Schmohz is located in an industrial part of the city, near the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. It keeps a casual atmosphere with a bevy of regulars.

The taproom staff strives to learn the names and occupations of the brewery’s mug club members as well as their taste in beer. New guests are thrilled to discover an extremely receptive environment, as regulars are eager to share opinions on what beers to try and what else to see and do around Grand Rapids.

The brewery’s proximity to the airport makes Schmohz a logical first step to those flying into Grand Rapids. From Schmohz, it’s easy to hit a variety of breweries around town for a tasty weekend — which is what helps make Grand Rapids a great beer city.

What’s on Tap

Schmohz offers an eclectic mix of beers to please virtually any palate via its 16 taps. Enduring customer favorites include Treasure Chest, a gold-medal wining ESB (extra special bitter) pale ale;  Bonecrusher Stout, handcrafted with five specialty malts for a smooth-roasted chocolate flavor and a big black malt finish; and Hopknocker, a 9.5% ABV Imperial IPA with four different malts and six different stouts.

Seasonal selections include light, easy-drinking fruit ales like Pickle Tink Strawberry Wheat and fuller, richer beers like Kiss My Scottish Arse.

Open Monday through Saturday, Schmohz offers great daily specials – including a $2.00 pint with a growler fill on Tuesdays and $3 off pitchers on Thursday. Wear a Schmohz t-shirt on Saturdays, and you’ll get $1 off your first point.

Microbrewery Benefits

As a fairly small operation, Schmohz tries its best to accommodate groups - just fill out a form on its website to ensure space for your group. Schmohz also has a mug club, with limited spots to avoid a factory warehouse club feel. Members enjoy $3.50 pints on Mondays. 

The brewery isn’t just for beer fans; they also make drinks like root beer and black cherry soda – great non-alcoholic options for designated drivers or non-drinkers. Wine is also available.

Schmohz is a Beer City Brewsader® brewery – download the app and use it to check in when you visit. Eight check-ins to local breweries gets you a free t-shirt and 30+ check-ins earns a free sweatshirt.

If you’re looking for a brewery where the beer takes center stage, the vibes are chill and the bartenders know their stuff, check out Schmohz. You’ll see why it continues to be a local favorite more than two decades after its founding!

Beer selections and prices are subject to change; please confirm prior to your visit.

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 35+ currently on the Beer City Ale Trail. A third USA Today win in 2022 capped a decade of increasing national and international recognition for our craft brewery community. 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.