Much like America centuries ago, Grand Rapids is slowly expanding into the west.
What was once a few dive bars scattered around has grown into an impressive drinking and dining community, and it just keeps growing. Sovengard, Jolly Pumpkin and Butcher’s Union led the way—now we also have Nonla Burger, One Bourbon, Arktos Meadery and many more.
So, we decided to do our next brewery tour right here, but I have to be honest: We didn’t get around to nearly as many spots as I planned. Turns out it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re daydrinking with coworkers!
That said, we had a great time, and you will too if you visit any of these gems from the Best Side—er, sorry, West Side!
Greyline Brewing
1727 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
greylinebrewing.com
We started our journey at Greyline Brewing, a high quality brewery with a devoted following that sometimes gets overlooked due to its isolated location on Alpine. Launched by former Founders staff who wanted to take their own approach, the beer has been consistently delicious ever since. And when we stopped in a Thursday, the place was bustling, but not too loud.
I enjoyed a Mosacca IPA, one of the brewery’s mainstays for good reason. It’s bold but approachable, simple but not boring, and lets the hops shines. This should be considered one of Grand Rapids’ iconic IPAs. Other Revue staff enjoyed the Humblebee, a sweet, light, honey oat ale “perfect for summer.” The Tropical IPA made with orange, lemon and pineapple was fruity, but not too sweet; tart, but not sour. And our stout-lover had the Fade, an oat stout on nitro that was smooth and creamy with no bitterness.
That’s not to mention the food, prepared by one person in a tiny kitchen located right inside the cozy taproom. My tacos were all bursting with flavor and absolutely covered in both raw onions and pickled onions, which is how I think all food should be served, personally. My coworkers all loved the sliders and chips too. Really, it’s the perfect lunch spot, and always works great for dinner before or after a movie at the nearby AMC.
Brewery Nyx
506 Oakland Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
brewerynyx.com
One true hidden gem is Brewery Nyx, which is tucked away off Wealthy and Cesar E. Chavez Ave. and just opened a year ago. This brewery is entirely gluten-free, to the point that outside food isn’t even allowed unless it’s from Papa Chops Eatery, the only other fully gluten-free facility in town.
Talking with the extremely friendly staff, Nyx said plenty of people come in who aren’t even gluten-free but just love the beer, and you can count the Revue team among that group after visiting. We noticed that even though the beer tasted like beer, it wasn’t as filling or bloating as usual. Call it placebo if you want, but we all agreed!
We had a few flights between us, and here were the highlights:
Red: This is the ideal beginner’s brew. Easy to drink, not overly malty, but not bland and watery like the Lite beers newbies often try.
Salted Lime: If you want something light and refreshing, similar to a gose, and perfect for summer, here you go!
Stout: Drinks lighter than most stouts but still tastes rich and creamy.
NZ IPA: A great “session” IPA, that’s easy to drink and not too bitter but still with plenty of hops.
Hazy IPA: There’s something tropically, florally delicious about this one that really blew me away. Nyx staff suggested it was actually “pine,” but I think I need to drink a few more pints before I can say for sure.
Hua Hin: Ginger lemongrass pale ale. Need I say more?
On top of the incredible beer, we loved the very casual and open feeling of the taproom. It was brew day when we visited, and we could watch it all happen while smelling the very beer we were drinking being made. Plus, cornhole!
Broad Leaf Westside
443 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids
broadleafbeer.com
Next we headed to Broad Leaf’s new location in the former Sovengard space. Smoke from the wildfires forced us to sit inside, but I’ve enjoyed the patio and its storage container seating a couple times already this summer—it’s well worth visiting with friends.
Inside, Broad Leaf has creative and casual vibes, with neon lights, a few arcade games to play and great art. We were ready for another snack and ordered the duck fat fries, which were absolutely perfect for an afternoon of drinking. Then we got the Oko Pancake, made with cabbage/scallion batter, then topped with crispy cabbage, kewpie mayo, furikake and soy caramel. It’s a beautiful blend of flavors and textures.
With drinks, our group was all over the place thanks to Broad Leaf’s, well, broad selection. One coworker really enjoyed the Strawberry Gin Freefall, a cocktail on draft with Broadleaf Gin, strawberries, sage, pink peppercorns and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Another loved the Paloma-ish, made with agave spirit, grapefruit, ginger & rosemary syrup, lime juice and soda water.
Meanwhile, I got a flight, with a tasty yet balanced passionfruit beer; a fruity kiwi, coconut and lime sour; a refreshing juicy IPA, and an experimental pineapple/salt tart ale. All were great, and I can’t wait to return and see what else they've cooked up!
OTHER GREAT WESTSIDE BREWERIES
Küsterer Brauhaus:
I’ve had nothing but amazing experiences here at Cedar Springs’ Grand Rapids location. The atmosphere, the authentic German-style beer, the snacks—it’s all top-notch.
New Holland Knickerbocker:
This multi-floor brewpub offers multiple experiences, from typical restaurant seating to a bar-style area, a huge outdoor patio and a second-floor cocktail lounge.
Jolly Pumpkin:
Sour beer, pizza and creative pub grub. What more do you need?
Arktos Meadery:
This isn’t beer, but it’s a must-visit on the West Side. Fantasy vibes enhance the experience of sipping mead, a versatile honey-based beverage.
The Mitten Brewing Co.:
Solid variety of beers, along with incredible pizza that frequently wins Best of the West. Get a pizza flight!
Peoples Cider:
Not beer either, but this tiny spot next to Mitten is making some of the best cider in West Michigan, if not the world. The perfect place to wait for your table.
