Grand Rapids breweries unite to create cool Beer City Brewers Guild

We’re constantly crushing on Grand Rapids, Mich., being one of America’s grand, progressive beer cities. It’s got rad craft breweries (check). It’s got great beer educational opportunities (check). It’s got a big, craft-friendly grocery chain headquartered there (check), and now, it’s even got a forward-thinking beer and events guild. Wait, a what?

According to a recent press release, the New West Michigan Non-Profit Guild (don’t get them confused with these guys) has organized to raise awareness of the craft brewing culture within the community of Grand Rapids by forming the Beer City Brewers Guild 501(c)(6). The guild will be a vehicle for events, collaborations, charitable giving and knowledge sharing. Sound cool?

It is.

“The brewers thought we should get together to celebrate the initial Beer City USA designation and decided to do a collaborative beer. That was a success, and we enjoyed each other’s company, so we decided to band together to promote all of the breweries. We hope to encourage the spirit of collaboration; not only between breweries, but all related groups,” said Jackson VanDyke, Beer City Brewers Guild president and co-owner of Harmony Brewing Co.

What are the goals here?

First off, the Beer City Brewers Guild will continue to include collab beer releases such as the Beer City Pale Ale, where each area brewery created a rendition of a pale ale. Brewers Grove/Tree Beer is a united effort between breweries and the Friends of GR Parks, aimed at increasing the city’s tree canopy by donating a portion of Tree Beer sales toward this effort and physically planting trees in multiple parks for the last three years.

Licensed breweries and breweries-in-planning involved in the guild will include those within Kent County, Mich., or any city or township whose geographic boundary borders Kent County. Craft beer affiliates and enthusiasts are also encouraged to join the Beer City Brewers Guild to participate in meetings and serve on committees.

“Being selected to serve as the marketing chair on the guild board has been an honor,” said Kelli Williams, owner of Momma Needs a Beer. “Working with creative individuals who value collaboration over competition while embracing our community goes beyond beer. I feel lucky to support and promote such an incredible group of people.”

The Beer City Brewers Guild will host a festival to embrace their collaborative community spirit in the heart of downtown at Ah-Nab-Awen Park on Saturday, August 13. Be there!