Brewery Vivant

On Brewery Vivant
(http://www.breweryvivant.com/)


Brewery Vivant is a new Michigan microbrewery that opened in December of 2010.  As of this writing, that makes them less than 6 months old.  So, what can you do in 6 months?  Well, if you're following Brewery Vivant's plan, you can make some very nice beer.

Part of this likely comes from the 10+ years of experience the head brewer (Jacob Derylo) carried over from his most recent job as brewer at another wonderful Michigan brewery, New Holland.  New Holland has commercially produced a number of Belgian beers over the last decade, not even to speak of those which can only be enjoyed at the pub in Holland, MI.  This experience brewing Belgian styles is useful, as Brewery Vivant is a Belgian-style shop.

I was able to make it out to Brewery Vivant a few weekends ago for a Saturday night dinner and some drinks.  Unfortunately this seemed to coincide with the graduation of some of the schools in Grand Rapids, so things were a bit busy.  In terms of going to visit Brewery Vivant, it's important to note that it's somewhat of a small place.  It's basically the size of a small chapel (because that's what it used to be).  There are a number of tables that you can get your name on a list for, and two larger long tables and a bar that you can sit at on an at will basis.  If you want to be there at a high traffic time it might pay to come a touch earlier and just enjoy a few extra beers.

And a few extra beers won't hurt, because you're going to want to try them all.  Luckily they have sampler trays - they're a good idea for your first trip, or even just at the start to decide what you feel like that day.  There were about 10 beers on tap when I was there, and among a few sampler trays and trying things others had ordered I believe I tried them all.  The range of styles was diverse (within the overarching style class of Belgians) and well-executed.  Frankly, everything was solid and kept me coming back for more.  If pushed, my two favorites were probably the Vivant Brune and the Kludde Strong Ale.  The Zaison was also a very interesting take on a standard saison.  

It's oddly unfortunate for a Grand Rapids tourist, especially a Grand Rapids brewery tourist.  Brewery Vivant is the 7th (by my count, correct me if I'm wrong) brewery in Grand Rapids, after Founders, The Hopcat, The B.O.B., Grand Rapids Brewing Company, and The Hideout.  The unfortunate fact is that you now need to go to another brewery to make your trip complete.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that from a completionist standpoint - Brewery Vivant is a must if you are trying to get the best beer in Grand Rapids.  Frankly, it's a must if you're trying to get some of the best beer in the western half of the state.

Brewery Vivant is new.  There's a good chance you haven't even heard of it yet (well, by now I'm hoping you've figured it out).  It's hard to place it with the likes of Founders, or Bell's, or Arcadia, or Short's, or New Holland, even with a brewer with such an impressive back story.  Well, what I really should say is that it's hard to place it with the likes of those...yet.  It's really just a time thing.  Well...and a distribution thing.

I don't have the numbers, but if someone offered me a bet I'd take the side guessing that the five breweries I mentioned above have a combined output volume greater than all the breweries in the rest of the state combined.  Brewery Vivant has made a commitment to staying small.  The opening sentence of their philosophy on their website makes it clear:

"Against traditional philosophy of running a business, we have purposefully planned and designed our brewery to keep it small. We have chosen to take the path to become a great company, not a large one.  "

Arguably, this simply makes it more important for you to stop by Brewery Vivant while you're in Grand Rapids.  You're not going to find a six-pack of it in New York or Chicago, or even in most of the cities in Michigan.  Sustainability is very important, and any attempt of mine to quote bits and pieces would likely result in me just posting it all, so you should just check out their page on sustainability on their website.  What it means most obviously to you is that their beer comes in cans, not bottles.  Also, the farther you live from Grand Rapids the greater carbon cost to get beer to you, and the less likely you are to get it.  That said, it has been showing up a bit in Lansing, MI, so keep an eye out.

Oh, and the food is also pretty great.  A little pricey ($10-20 entrees), but worth it.  One last tip, I've also heard that they make a very nice Belgian beer-and-coffee.  I've not had it, but plan to the next time I'm there.