The term “dive bar” has evolved in meaning over the years. What once meant an uncertain destination for many now points to an off the radar, unpretentious spot that serves great drinks and is full of local character. If you’re looking for a lesser-known option that’s not as mainstream, Grand Rapids…
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Ah, Belmont. This town just north of Grand Rapids doesn’t get a ton of attention. For those who stop, there is a honeypot of delicious food and drink waiting for you in this unique corner of Kent County. Even if you haven’t been up that way, I’m sure you’ve heard of The Score, one of the biggest…
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Happy fall, everyone! I’m Ben Darcie, and I’m a 14-year veteran of the Grand Rapids beer scene, including being a beer writer for 12 years and working in the beer industry itself for 10 years. In short, I’ve spent the last 14 years getting to know the breweries of this great city, as well as their…
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In classic Michigan fashion, fall has arrived in full force, and quickly. Beers turn darker, cocktails turn toward hard spice, and we arrive at the penultimate season for hard cider. A good friend of mine, Pat Evans, wrote an awesome article on fall beverages a few years ago, which still holds…
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Amidst the chaos of 2020, Black Calder Brewing Company found itself in a supremely unusual position: trying to open a Grand Rapids brewery in the middle of a pandemic. I got to speak with Terry Rostic, one of the two owners of Black Calder, Michigan's first Black-owned brewery, about the journey to…
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If you’re experiencing some frustrations because vacation plans have changed or been canceled this year, you can still keep those getaway aspirations alive by crafting a fun-filled staycation right here in Grand Rapids. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, avid foodie, family fun instigator, arts…
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