Beer City USA: Visiting Grand Rapids
The title “Beer City, USA” may be a rotating title, but Grand Rapids, Michigan deserves the use of this title unless another city can boast their winnings. Through USA Today polls, Grand Rapids has earned the title ever year from 2012 – 2017, and maintained a strong 2nd in both 2018 and 2019. Therefore, I choose to say we were visiting Grand Rapids, Beer City, USA.
Visiting Grand Rapids, Beer City, USA Day One
Perrin Brewing
Our only visit was to Perrin Brewing in Comstock Park, which is about 10 minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids. My first thought walking up to Perrin Brewing, was that it looks like an old farmer’s market.
Not sure what to order in our flights, Matt asked our server if we could have one of everything, with the exception of a couple he named off. She recommended “The Globe” and we about fell over when she brought it out. In other words, we were the spectacle of the place. Everyone who saw the globe was asking us how we got it!
Thankfully we had our friends to help us try them all. Perrin Brewing makes some great beer, and the atmosphere is pretty cool!! A couple of our favorites were the Gold, Grapefruit IPA, Funk You Berry Much, Passion Fruit Gose, and Matt liked the Caramel Nitro.
Visiting Beer City Day Two
Grand Rapids Brewing Co
Stop one to Grand Rapids Brewing Co was a great way to start the afternoon. Located in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids, in a beautifully maintained/restored historic building, and filled with reclaimed materials.
Floors, walls, tables, flight holders, and even tap handles are all from reclaimed wood, and give this place so much character.
Grand Rapids Brewing is well known for their extensive food menu of items cooked with beer, and has been featured on Travel Channel’s Man Vs Food. However, we only snacked on their Scotch Eggs, and the kids had some Dank Fries.
My favorite brews were Rosalynn Bliss Blonde and Get to the Copper. Matt liked the Jon Ball Brown and Bon Bon Fire.
HopCat
On the same block as Grand Rapids Brewing, the next corner, is HopCat. Although not a brewery, HopCat has been recognized as one of the top Beer Bars in the world. This is well deserved because their mission is to bring us great beer. With 49 taps, and at least a 250 bottle list, I’m sure you will find something to please the palate.
Speaking of palate pleasing, HopCat is the home to Food Network Magazine’s Top Ten Fries in America. Beer battered and seasoned, we all shared their Cosmik Fries, and Vladimir Poutine. You can read more about all their recognition here!
HopCat has many locations, and each is unique. Grand Rapids location is full of original woodwork, wood ceilings, antique beams, and a stunning bar. Even old bikes and art, hang from the ceiling. See if there is a location near you. We enjoyed partaking in some beer tasting from all over.
Mitten Brewing Co
Finally, our stop to Mitten Brewing Co, Engine House No. 9…..our favorite! This restored, Victorian era, vintage baseball-themed, brewery/pizzeria is a homerun!! Detroit Tiger fans can enjoy the little touches, like the old Tiger Stadium seats in the waiting area.
We shared some brews, pizza, and laughs. Everyone loved the pizza, and my girls are asking if we will go back again this summer.
Final Thoughts
All the brews we tasted were great!! This summer we will be on the lookout for their Peanuts & Cracker Jack, because we’ve heard great things about it, but have yet to try it.
We enjoyed all these breweries so much. Therefore, it will be hard to check out new ones next time we head to Grand Rapids. We have so many more breweries on our bucket list.
In conclusion, it’s understandable why Grand Rapids has been voted Beer City, USA so many times. Is visiting Beer City, USA on your bucket list? Connect with us on Instagram, because we want to know where your favorite breweries are located!
More Michigan breweries we’ve visited:
OMG that “Globe” is to die for! Looks like a great place for a couples getaway!
Grand Rapids is an awesome area for a couples getaway!!
I think Asheville, NC would have something to say about the title 😀
Love beer and brewery tours so I’ll have to try and make it to Grand Rapids now!
I bet they would too!! Hope you make it up there, I think any beer lover will enjoy!
That globe is impressive! I bet every was jealous for sure!
They sure were. They were all wondering what was so special about us, lol!!
This looks like a beer lover’s dream, how cool!
We were certainly shocked!!
Wow didn’t know that Grand Rapides was named Beer City! I love the way each place serves its flights differently and creatively. I love the Globe Flight, that is cool.
I love how they are all served differently too. So creative!
Wow! Now I want to try a globe! I really enjoyed this post. Thank you.
Thank you!! Happy you enjoyed it!! Hope you get a chance to visit!
The pizza photo made my mouth water. Yum!
Me too when I was working on the post!
Absolutely love The Globe beer flight! Must put this on my list of places to visit. I’m more of a craft-beer-on-training-wheels girl while my husband loves IPAs.
That was me last year. Then I dove in pretty hard!! Hope you get there!
What a cool way to serve a beer flight!
We were certainly surprised!!
We were in Grand Rapids earlier this year. I had no idea it was Beer City USA. I’m jealous we didn’t know about all the cool places and we didn’t get to try the globe!
Now you have a reason to go back!
Pizza and fries, yes please! We may not drink but we can eat!
Yeah, we love our food too!
What a fun place. This is right up my husband’s alley.
Even the kids had fun!
That globe flight is crazy! We love to try beer all over the country, so this might have to join the bucket list. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, add it to your bucket list!! There are over 80 breweries in the area!!
I live in Asheville, NC, the self proclaimed craft beer capital of everywhere. That world flight of brews looks even better than what we can order in Asheville!
They were the first Beer City….. until Grand Rapids swooped in. We hope to visit Asheville too!
I don’t drink, but that globe is cute!
Great thing about most breweries is, they have awesome food too!!
You guys are always having so much fun! Love it!
Thanks!! Easy to do when you make it a priority!!
This looks like a fun place to visit. Hubby would have loved those darker brews for sure. My question, though, is were the Scotch Eggs better than the ones you can get here at Rose & Crown?????
HA!! That’s a tough one. They were quite different, and we do LOVE the ones at Rose & Crown!!
Beer City! How have I never heard of this? Sounds like a good time for sure!
We’ve been out there so many times, and this was our first time visiting the downtown area!! Happy we did!
Wait. What? Take me with you! Amazing presentation. And I bet delicious. I’m a sucker for a great brew and fun atmosphere!
We need to do some brew hopping down here in Florida!!
Sounds like fun places to visit. I would definitely be up for the Food Network fries at HopCat!
They deserve recognition for the fries for sure!!
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