Wander West Best Brews

Wondering about the best Grand Rapids breweries to visit this coming year? Or, maybe you’re just ready to knock off some bucket list items? Whatever your reasons, you’re at the right corner of the internet! Read on below to find an extensive list, with the most recommended must-try breweries in Grand Rapids. Here, we give you our top five favorites, the local suggestions, and the hidden gems you may have never heard about!

Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used which means if you purchase via my link I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products I use and love!

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Our Top Five:

Sacred Springs Micro Brewery

• 1059 Wealthy St SE Ste B, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
• 616.826.2700

If you’re looking for a truly spiritual experience, everyone needs to check out Sacred Springs. What started out as a Kombucha brewing business soon turned into hard kombucha, delicious meads, and other brews for your delight. This unique spot carries hard kombucha, honey mead, mead and kombucha cocktails, and various flights to explore their long and spiritually-inspired menu.

One particular item stuck out to me… their Tree of Life kombucha! It’s an absolute must-try for my next visit! Not only can you get meads and kombuchas, but you can count yourself a winner as you gain the experience of sound healing and intention. However, since they spend so much time on the brews and experience, there’s no kitchen at Sacred Springs. Still, you absolutely can order food from Forty Acres Soul Kitchen for delivery to the taproom—let’s call that a win-win! So kick back and enjoy a peaceful and zen environment while drinking your brew of choice at Sacred Springs!

Image from Sacred Springs website

Brewery Vivant

• 925 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

One of the things that makes this brewery take a top five spot is it’s delicious beer, ciders, and other drinks. Along with the fact that the taproom is located in a refurbished funeral home, what makes them really stand out among its peers is their cuisine. Their culturally diverse, Franco-Belgian inspired menu brings you one-of-a-kind items like: Duck Confit Nachos, Poutine, Escargot, and Coq au Biere (beer-braised chicken leg and thigh). Personally, I got hungry just reading about those food options! If you’re looking for high-quality pub food, drinks, and all the feels then this is definitely the spot to put at the top of your beer bucket list!

Important Note: Brewery Vivant boasts years of award-winning sustainability techniques, so this is a great choice for the environmentalists in your life.

Image from Brewery Vivant website.

Speciation Artisan Ales

• 928 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

What makes Speciation so… special? Well, their brews are uniquely curated with local ingredients and literal “chill time” by the water. Why would they put their brews by the water? Let me give you an example of their process…

The Laurentian Series is a round of spontaneously fermented beers that are left to cool by each of the Great Lakes. This means their delicious ale concoctions contain the flavors of local Michigan flora and fauna—letting nature create a truly one-of-a-kind brew every, single time. They also age certain series on piles of Marquette grapes. It’s no wonder customers say their honey beers are the perfect mix of tart and sweet! As a bonus, they also have a dog-friendly outdoor patio (weather permitting) and a family-friendly taproom.

Image from Speciation Artisan website.

Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery

• 428 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
• 616.419.4676

Technically, this brewery hails from Dexter, Michigan but it’s so popular that it can’t help but have several sibling locations all over the midwest! Their Grand Rapids brewery location boasts features identical to its hometown with the perfect pub trifecta of bar food, delicious brews, and taproom views. The Jolly Pumpkin is known for its saisons—a spicy, light colored ale style. But, they also are a great choice for innovative food lovers with dishes like truffled mushroom pie with garlic sauce, goat and mozzarella cheese, and so much more! This is once place where bar food will not leave you any bit hungry or disappointed. The Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery is a great place for a relaxing night out with friends or family.

Image from Jolly Pumpkin’s Instagram.

Harmony Hall

• 1551 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
• 616.233.0063

What better way to enjoy beer in beery city than a German inspired pub called Harmony Hall? Started by three siblings, one can tell this german inspired “beer castle” is bound to give you some cheer and a fully satisfied stomach. There’s a variety of ales and beers to choose from as well as pub food. They even have some options like vegan chili and soft pretzels—so there’s truly something for everyone here at Harmony Hall!

Image from Harmony Hall website.

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The Local Favorites:

Finally, take a look at the local recommendations. Who knows Beer City, United States better than the Grand Rapids community?

City Built Brewing Company

• 820 Monroe Ave NW STE 155, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
• 616.805.5755

This Grand Rapids brewery’s tagline really does say it all, “You built this city, we brew its beer.” The locals have a bit of a cult following for this location so, of course, we had to include it in our list. Their tap list is definitely suspect number one with their delicious grapefruit juice sours to coffee and coconut porters, and so mcc more. Their diverse list of craft beers, ciders, and ales will always leave you feeling dazzled and coming back for more!

B.O.B.’s Brewery

• 20 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
• 616.356.2000

As the oldest brewery in Grand Rapids, BOB’s definitely needs to be a stop on your list. The acronym of it’s name is quite humorous and stands for “Big Old Building.” With a pun like this, you know you’re going to get the most creative and delicious beer, food, and service. BOB’s boasts of 21 different brews ranging from pale ales to dark amber porters and every, single palette will leave you satisfied! They match their highly sought after brews with equally tasty pub food and appetizers. They also have a beer garden, so outdoor and indoor seating is available. You can make reservations here.

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Find the Hidden Gems:

Here are some unique finds that definitely deserve our attention and you could be some of the first to experience these breweries—so go check them out!

Arvon Brewing Co.

• 1006 Division Ave S., Grand Rapids, MI 49507
• 616.340.9372

The crew at Arvon Brewing Co. are constantly evolving and releasing new brews for patrons to enjoy. Not only do they have a service industry Sunday special, where workers can get a dollar off full pours, but more specials every week as well as a taproom membership. Some home deliveries will be available in more lower Michigan areas, so be sure to check out their delivery guide here. Don’t miss out on try their special releases, if you happen to be in town for one, as their distribution is often limited! The definitely earned the number one spot for being a hidden gem! Make sure to check out Arvon Brewing Co. on your next brewery tour adventure.

The Mitten Brewing Company

• 527 Leonard St NW Grand Rapids, MI 49508
• 616.608.5612

Are you a baseball and peanut butter lover? Look no further for your dream brewery location! This hidden gem is a baseball themed microbrewery with tons of character and delicious beer choices. To go with their baseball theme, they boast a peanut butter roasted stout that is unmatched in its flavor—the famous Peanuts and Crackerjacks Porter. They also have a house made non-alcoholic root beer option. Complete with classically delicous bar food and some entertaining stories about it’s ghostly beginnings, you’ll have a full belly and warm heart but maybe a cold tap on the shoulder.

BONUS GEM: If you’re into ghost stories, you’re in for an extra treat. Ask the current employees about the mysterious baby footprints found in the Engine House 19.

Looking for more? Check out the amazing brewery map!

For your convenience, we’ve also included this wonderful Beer Map provided by Experiencegr.com (2019). Use this map to find the way to your new favorite sweet spot!

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