It’s no secret that Grand Rapids is Beer City, USA. But before the craft beer boom of the 21st century, this city already had a long history with the frothy beverage. Let’s raise a glass to how beer shaped Grand Rapids.
In the mid-1800s, immigrants from Germany and the Netherlands brought with them the knowledge of beer brewing, and soon Grand Rapids was home to multiple breweries. By the 1890s, the Brunswick Brewing and Bottling Works was one of the largest producers of beer in the state. Though Prohibition temporarily halted the beer industry, Grand Rapids’ love for brewing never truly faded.
Fast forward to 1997, when Founders Brewing Co. was founded. It started small but has since grown into one of the largest craft breweries in the United States. Their taproom is a must-visit for anyone who loves great beer and a lively atmosphere. Check out Founders here.
More recently, Grand Rapids has seen an explosion of breweries like Brewery Vivant, housed in a former funeral chapel, and The Mitten Brewing, which is in a restored Victorian-era firehouse with old-time baseball decor. Today, the city boasts over 40 breweries, making it a paradise for beer lovers.