Grand Rapids breweries within walking distance of the convention center

Grand Rapids was first dubbed Beer City USA in 2012. Since then, its reputation, and the reason for it, has only grown. Experts and readers of USA Today voted Grand Rapids America's Best Beer City in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The good news for meeting planners and conference attendees is that a number of breweries that helped earn the city its moniker are within walking distance of the Downtown Convention Neighborhood.

Six downtown breweries offer spaces that are ideal for off-site meetings and events, all with amazing food and drink options. (Grand Rapids breweries serve up some of the city’s best meals.) Many also offer behind-the-scenes tours and are happy to arrange tastings for groups. Many have outdoor seating that allows guests to dine in the fresh air during warmer weather. Find even more outdoor dining options with this list.

Most of these breweries are part of the Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area, which means guests can order up a craft beer to sip as they stroll around Downtown, in and between the Central Business District, Hotel and Arena districts, the West Side’s Bridge Street corridor and the Monroe North neighborhood.

Keep in mind that operating hours, tour options, event space availability, menu items and ordering procedures are subject to change. Our services team can assist you in securing the private event space available at some breweries. Attendees exploring the city on their own should always check a restaurant’s website or social media before they go. You can also search these outdoor locations on our Restaurants page.

The Breweries

All of the breweries listed below participate in the Beer City Brewsader® program. Attendees just need to download the Brewsader app (available on Google Play and The App Store) and check in to any eight participating breweries to earn a free t-shirt.

Atwater Brewery is located at the corner of Monroe Ave and Michigan St, right at the base of Medical Mile. The brewery specializes in traditional German style lagers, along with unique ales like their Decadent Dark Chocolate, which won a bronze at the World Beer Cup. Private event space is available.

BOB’s Brewery is located in The B.O.B. (Big Old Building), a converted warehouse that also features a beer garden, pizza restaurant, live-music venue, nightclub, comedy club, and special event and banquet spaces for 20-2,000 guests. It was the first microbrewery to open in downtown GR, in 1997.

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits - Westside serves cocktails made with spirits crafted at Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits - Kentwood along with a selection of favorite Broad Leaf craft beers on tap. It also offers an incredible array of over-the-top milkshakes, including boozy versions. Rotating guest chefs turn out a diverse and dazzling array of food options.

City Built Brewing Co.’s cross-cultural approach to beer and food has made the brewery a favorite among locals. City Built is less than a mile away from the convention center and it’s accessible via the free Downtown Area Shuttle (as are most other downtown breweries). If attendees prefer to walk, they will enjoy the flat, sidewalked trek along Monroe Ave.

Founders Brewing Co. was one of the first craft breweries to open in Grand Rapids. These days, Founders has become not just the city’s largest brewery, with a footprint of a full city block, but also one of the largest breweries in the country with national distribution. The brewery features a second-floor event space that accommodates up to 65 seated guests with additional space of 45 seats on the patio.

Fountain Hill Brewery is part of Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Students operate the brewery as part of their work toward earning a Craft Brewing certificate. Fountain Hill was the first federally and state licensed college owned and operated brewery and pub. The brewery is typically open one night a week for three hours during the fall and winter semesters (mid September through November, and late January through mid April).

Küsterer Brauhaus is a Bavarian-style beer hall on Bridge Street. Ingrained with German tradition, their beers are the result of years of researching brewing methods both near and far. Küsterer is named for Christoper Kusterer, a German-trained brewer who opened a brewery on the west side of Grand Rapids in 1843 and helped form the Grand Rapids Brewing Company in 1893.

New Holland Brewing – The Knickerbocker is another Bridge Street destination. It offers several rooms for private parties and events, including an all-season beer garden with retractable roof. In addition to crafting their own beer and spirits, the brewery emphasizes local ingredients in its food menu.

Check out this map to see just how walkable these breweries are from the convention center and downtown hotels.