When you travel abroad, it is interesting to find out how loved and adored your city is by an outsider. It makes you humbled to hear a perspective we often overlook from just living in it day-to-day.
One reputation we gladly embrace -- and even now celebrate on a regular basis -- is the recent awarding of Grand Rapids as Beer City USA, tied with Asheville, NC.
To celebrate our award-winning beer culture (and because it is their mission to spotlight all things local), the Grand Rapids Public Museum will host Thank You, BEER!, a very special exhibition October 13 - December 30, 2012.
This exhaustive collection of all things Grand Rapids beer will spotlight everything from our ephemera -- like coasters and posters -- to the hard science of how grains and chemistry work together to create something truly world-class in a glass, right here in the 616!
Throughout the exhibition, there will be a solid package of beer-themed programming including beer tastings for a small fee, weekly Beer School classes starting Oct. 25, an elegant five-course dinner by Museum Chef Hans Dokl, and even a Brewers’ Challenge contest where the audience will choose the winner. Should we be scared of carbon elephant beer?
The Brewers’ Challenge Oct. 19 and 20 will feature merchandise, (non-alcoholic) cider, and home-brew displays. It will also give home brewers, as well as the local brew masters of our area establishments, a chance to share their story à la Story Corps fashion in an interview station.
Saturday will also be the first day that you can view "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall," directed by Kevin Budzynski. Budzynski, along with a cast of locals, lined up at area brew pubs all over West Michigan to contribute by singing in this fun, new, and possibly viral video celebrating our title as Beer City USA.
Admission: $8, Adult / $3, Child / $7, Senior
More Info