Visiting Beer City in Grand Rapids Michigan

This Visiting Beer City in Grand Rapids Michigan post is sponsored by Experience Grand Rapids. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Visiting Beer City and Its 60+ Breweries

Beer City is a place. Oh, yes, it's real. I'm a pretty lucky guy. Recently I had the opportunity to visit Grand Rapids Michigan with a group of guys for a weekend of fun and beer. Experience Grand Rapids wanted to bring us in and take us on a tour of the breweries that can be found in the city. Now I had never been to Grand Rapids, and I'm always up for an adventure plus beer, so this was right up my alley. In the end, we visited something like 12 breweries in two days (ok, we may have hit more than 12). I have to say, I walked away impressed. I hope you enjoy this post about Visiting Beer City in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Grand Rapids boasts over 60 breweries, which is an impressive number when you realize that the city itself is not all that large. Even better, these breweries aren't just pumping out world class beer, they are also creating some incredible food and dining experiences in the process.  Many of the breweries specialize in specific styles. For example, if you head over to Brewery Vivant, you will be treated to French-inspired brews and food. You will find dishes like nachos…your typical bar food….made with duck confit, house beer cheese, and lemon zest. Now I know that may sound like an odd dish, but when you put it in your mouth…just wow. Incredible flavor.

Or maybe you find yourself at Harmony Hall, taking in a flight of brew while trying to finish the ridiculously sized pretzel. If you do find yourself there, be sure to try the grilled cheese. It's made with great bread, bacon, sour cream, chives, cheese, eh…you get the idea.

Grand Rapids seems to have a brewery for everyone. Into German-style beer and food? No problem; hit up Cedar Springs Brewery. Like pizza? Mitten Brewing has you covered. How about Puerto Rican food? CityBuilt Brewing can scratch that urge.

My Experience Visiting Beer City in Grand Rapids Michigan

To really get a feel for the beer scene in Grand Rapids, check out the video below. We shot this over the two days we were in town, and in it, you will meet the founders and brewers at places like Founders Brewing, Brewery Vivant, Cedar Springs Brewing, CityBuilt Brewing, and more.

Become a Brewsader

When you do visit Grand Rapids (and you really should), be sure to grab a Brewsader Passport. Available at many of the breweries as well as the welcome center at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, this little book tells you everything you need to know about the beer and breweries in the city. Each brewery has a page that tells you what they are known for and where to find them. In addition, as you visit breweries you have them stamp your book; acquire eight stamps and you get a Brewsader T-shirt. You can find out more about the Brewsader program at the Experience Grand Rapids website.

So no matter what it is that you like, when it comes to great beer and food, Visiting Beer City in Grand Rapids Michigan should be the first thing that you do.