The range, diversity, creativity and quality of craft beverages made here in Grand Rapids is frankly astonishing. More than 100 local craft beverage producers include:
- Breweries crafting beers in virtually every style, drawing on global influences and eras past and present.
- Distilleries creating a wide array of artisan spirits, often made with pure Lake Michigan water.
- Wineries and vineyards utilizing the area’s abundant fruit crops to produce truly distinctive wine varietals available at many local wine bars.
- Cideries sourcing dozens of apple varieties from local orchards to make delectably different hard ciders.
- Meaderies producing contemporary versions of the ancient honey-based “nectar of the Gods.”
- Many of the above applying their beverage expertise to the creation of hard seltzers.
The area’s talented mixologists use these and other high-quality ingredients to craft an endless assortment of classic and innovative cocktails.
Alcohol-free beverages are also well represented here, from cider mills pressing fresh apple cider each fall to coffee shops roasting and brewing fair trade and organic coffee beans all year ‘round. Craft sodas? Check. Kombucha? You bet. Juices? Absolutely. Mocktails? Oh yeah.
One thing’s for sure: you’ll never go thirsty in Grand Rapids!
The Rewards of Drinking Local
As if great taste isn’t reward enough, you can also earn prizes for drinking Grand Rapids beverages:
Beer City Brewsader® is a passport app that enables you to check in to Grand Rapids breweries. Check in to 8 breweries and you’ll earn a FREE collectible t-shirt. Check in to 40+ breweries and you’ll be crowned an Ultimate Brewsader, entitling you to all sorts of awesome perks. There are also a bunch of fun challenges and badges to earn through the app.
Flights of Flavor is a food-and-drink promotion that offers special food and/or drink flights at local restaurants, bars and breweries. Get the digital pass to find flights and check in to participating destinations. Each check-in earns points that can be redeemed for FREE merchandise or charitable donations. Enjoy beer flights, wine flights, cider flights, cocktail flights and more.
Beer & Wine Festivals & Events
Time your Grand Rapids visit to attend one of the city’s annual beverage celebrations:
- Winter Beer Festival (February), a one-day outdoor event with hundreds of Michigan beers for sampling.
- Cider Week GR (May), featuring tap takeovers, cider brunches, pairing dinners, orchard tours, pairing dinners and more.
- Beer City Brewers Festival Pro-Am Competition (September), a Pro-Am competition pairing decorated home brewers with local commercial brewers.
- International Wine, Beer & Food Festival (November), Michigan’s premier fine-food tasting and shopping event.
Or search our Calendar of Events for daily Food & Drink Events – there’s always something delicious going on!
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