Your Perfect Saturday Brewery Hop Itinerary in Grand Rapids

Your Perfect Saturday Brewery Hop Itinerary in Grand Rapids

Sip, stroll, and savor your way through Beer City USA

Grand Rapids isn’t just known for craft beer; it defines it. With a mix of nationally acclaimed breweries and hidden neighborhood gems, it’s the perfect place for an all-day brewery hop. Whether you're a stout lover, sour sipper, or hazy IPA chaser, this Saturday itinerary hits all the right notes with a few delicious detours along the way.

11:00 AM – Start at Vander Mill

505 Ball Ave NE

Ease into the day with brunch and a crisp cider. Vander Mill’s taproom offers a calm, casual setting to kick off your hop. Try the Totally Roasted cider paired with a breakfast sandwich or cider-glazed bacon. It's a light start before diving into the heavier pours.

Recommendation: Totally Roasted — a semi-dry cider with candied pecans, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Try this: Breakfast BLT with egg, avocado, and cider-glazed bacon.

12:00 AM – The Knickerbocker (New Holland Brewing)

417 Bridge St NW

Head to The Knickerbocker—New Holland’s downtown outpost with a massive beer garden, cozy indoor seating, and house spirits if you’re feeling adventurous. Grab a Dragon’s Milk Reserve or Tangerine Space Machine, and maybe a wood-fired flatbread if you’re down for food round two.

Recommendation: Dragon’s Milk Reserve — a rich, bourbon barrel-aged stout with rotating flavors (try the s'mores or vanilla chai variants if available).

Try this: Brewpub Pretzel with cheese fondue + beer mustard.

1:00 PM – Brewery Vivant

925 Cherry St SE

Next, take in the ambiance at Brewery Vivant, a former funeral chapel turned brewery. They specialize in Belgian- and French-style ales. Order the Farmhand or Big Red Coq, and pair it with their signature duck nachos or truffle fries. Pro tip: the stained glass and vaulted ceilings make your beer feel extra sacred.

Recommendation: Big Red Coq — a hoppy Belgian-style red ale with a spicy finish.

Try this: Duck Confit Nachos or the Truffle Fries — both are local favorites.

2:00 PM – City Built Brewing Co.

820 Monroe Ave NW

This brewery blends Grand Rapids’ love for beer with bold Puerto Rican flavors. Expect mango sours, hazy IPAs, and an incredible menu featuring yuca fries, sofrito pork tacos, and empanadas. It’s a fun, upbeat spot right along the river.

Recommendation: Coconut Milkshake IPA — smooth, juicy, and slightly sweet with tropical vibes.
Try this: Bori Balls — fried rice balls filled with sofrito pork and cheese.

3:30 PM – Founders Brewing Co.

235 Grandville Ave SW

A Grand Rapids icon. The vibe picks up in the afternoon as locals and visitors gather for fresh pours of KBS, All Day IPA, or small-batch taproom exclusives. The beer garden is a great place to people-watch, and the food menu is stacked with crowd-pleasers like beer cheese pretzels and brisket sandwiches.

Recommendation: KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) — bourbon barrel-aged, chocolatey, and iconic.

Try this: Dirty Bastard Brisket Sandwich — slow-cooked and piled high.

5:30 PM – Greyline Brewing Co.

1727 Alpine Ave NW

Small but mighty, Greyline serves up some of the city’s best under-the-radar brews. Their Kona Brown and Mosacca IPA are worth a stop. It's a more laid-back, locals-only vibe—perfect to catch your breath mid-hop.

Recommendation: Kona Brown — a smooth brown ale brewed with fresh Kona coffee.

Try this: Greyline Burger with hand-cut fries.

6:30 PM – The Mitten Brewing Co.

527 Leonard St NW

This historic firehouse-turned-brewery serves pizza flights and porter flights—with a vintage baseball twist. Order the Peanuts & Crackerjack Porter or Triple Crown Brown, and enjoy it with a Mitten Supreme pie. A cozy, nostalgic spot before the grand finale.

Recommendation: Peanuts & Crackerjack Porter — peanut-buttery, chocolatey goodness.

Try this: Pizza Flight — yes, it’s real. Try four mini slices with different toppings.

8:00 PM – HopCat

25 Ionia Ave SW

Wrap up your day at the legendary HopCat downtown. With over 100 taps and a solid rotating list of local and national brews, you’ll find something that hits just right. Don’t forget the Crack Fries (yes, they renamed them—but locals still know). It’s a fun, buzzy environment to end your night on a high note.

Recommendation: Local rotating tap — ask for what’s fresh from Arvon, Speciation, or Eastern Market Brewing.

Try this: Cosmik Fries (formerly Crack Fries) with cheese sauce or beer-battered pickles.

Brewery Hop Tips for the Ultimate Experience

  • Walking-Friendly Stops: Most breweries on this list are within 10–15 minutes of each other (especially downtown and west side spots). City Built, Founders, HopCat, and Knickerbocker are easy to connect by foot.

  • Transportation Help: Want to skip the walk? Consider a small-group beer tour, party bike, or rideshare to take the stress out of hopping.

  • Brewsader® Badge Bonus: Download the Beer City Ale Trail app or grab the Brewsader® Passport and earn rewards as you drink your way through GR’s best breweries.

  • Timing Tip: Most breweries open around 11 AM on Saturdays. Check each brewery’s hours before your trip in case of changes or events.

  • Stay Hydrated + Snack Often: Bring a water bottle and grab a bite at every other stop—Grand Rapids breweries are known for killer food as much as they are for beer.

Whether you're a beer newbie or a seasoned hops-head, Grand Rapids delivers. Cheers to your Saturday brewery hop in #BeerCityUSA!

Contact Us
Contact Us
No items found.

Continue reading