Grand Rapids Brewing Company

On January 1, 1893, six local breweries joined forces and opened Grand Rapids Brewing Company. Over the next two decades, they built a monumental brewery at the corner of Michigan Street and Ionia Avenue, what is now the site of a state office building.  

Capitalizing on the location’s ample supply of fresh spring water and a refreshingly drinkable flagship beer, Silver Foam, GRBC became one of the Midwest’s largest and best-known breweries. In 1920, Prohibition brought that success story to a crashing halt. When the bans on alcohol production and sales were lifted, GRBC merged with several other breweries and eventually left town. 

In 2012, 79 years to the day after the repeal of prohibition, Grand Rapids Brewing Company opened just 6 blocks away from its original location. Reviving a historic brand in a unique pub atmosphere with creative pub cuisine. 

GRBC now offers some of the same beer recipes from 1893, a food menu that encompasses Grand Rapid’s best butchers, bread suppliers, produce, wine and spirits.