Beer, Wine and Cider
Voted Beer City USA and Best Beer Town in nationwide polls, named a Top 25 world beer city and home to one of the top 3 craft breweries on the planet, Grand Rapids is an essential destination for lovers of handcrafted adult beverages.
Choose from the following to create your itinerary:
Brewery Vivant
This Belgian-inspired brewery, set in a refurbished former funeral chapel, is a leader in sustainable business. Production facility tours include a look at the brewery’s eco-friendly initiatives as well as ample ale samples.
Founders Brewing Company
RateBeer.com named Founders the world’s 3rd best brewery and rated Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout as America’s best beer, so it’s a must for any beer itinerary. Tours and classes are offered on site.
Grand Rapids Beer Tours
Explore 3-5 area breweries in one session with guided public and custom tours emphasizing education and entertainment (and plenty of beer samples). Transportation provided. 4-6 hours.
Gravity Taphouse
Enjoy a meal at this 64-tap restaurant, which specializes in unique pairings of food and craft beer. Gravity’s beer sommelier, Angela Steil, is the world’s youngest Certified Cicerone.
Hop Farm to Tap Tour
Visit one of Michigan’s largest hops farms and discover how hops are grown, harvested and stored in Michigan. This Live Eventfully tour includes beer tasting. Offered Wednesdays and Saturdays during July and August. 2.5-3 hours.
Pilot Malt House
One of just two malt houses in Michigan, this facility converts local grain into artisanal varieties of malt for use by craft breweries. Go behind the scenes to see how it’s done.
Schmohz Brewery
This friendly neighborhood brewery serves 16 taps of finely crafted ales and lagers, plus its own root beer. Brewhouse tours are available. Beer pairing dinner available at the Doubletree Hotel.
Events
Cool Brews. Hot Eats.
Explore unique food and beer pairings during this annual event celebrating the city’s “Beer City USA” title. Dozens of area restaurants create special dishes prepared with and/or paired with craft beers and ciders. February each year.
Winter Beer Festival
More than 100 Michigan breweries bring 1,000+ craft beers to this outdoor festival at Fifth Third Ballpark every February. Sample beers and enjoy tasty food accompanied by fine music from local bands. February each year.
International Wine, Beer & Food Festival
Celebrate the finer foods in life at the Midwest’s premier tasting and shopping event, when hundreds of vendors and thousands of foodies meet up in downtown Grand Rapids. November each year.
