Tag Archives: Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery and Supply

On Tap: Gravel Bottom moves in Ada; get smart on beer and beer cooking

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org 

 

Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery will open a new facility as part of the Ada Village redevelopment project on Friday, May 11.

 

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into making this feel similar to what the other Gravel Bottom was: welcoming and comfortable,” Matt Michiels, Gravel Bottom owner, said in supplied material.

 

The new bar will offers 20 taps, which will allow Gravel Bottom to have more “experimental styles” in rotation.

 

“This was the opportunity to upgrade our equipment so we can brew more styles and be even more creative,” Michiels said. “And we’re able to brew bigger batches of some of those mainstays.”

 

And Gravel Bottom is certainly considered to be part of the Ada community.

 

“Gravel Bottom has become a well-known pillar of the Ada business community and we’re excited about their move,” George Haga, Ada Township supervisor, said in supplied material. “Their new home and highly-visible location on Ada Drive are another example of the transformation that is taking place in the Envision Ada project.”

 

“It’s very important for us to be a part of this community. This is where we started. And it’s exciting to have this chance for renewal,” Michiels said.

 

There will also be a new kitchen serving meals designed by Chef Eric Benedict. The menu will feature locally sourced, seasonally influenced dishes, including small plates designed to pair with Gravel Bottom beers.

 

The brewery is also acquiring a vintner’s license, meaning customers can look forward to wines, meads, and ciders both made by Gravel Bottom and others.

 

For more information visit gravelbottom.com .

 

Experience Beer continues free beer-education series at Harmony Hall

 

Harmony Brewing Company. (Supplied)

Experience Beer West Michigan has already launched its 8th annual free beer education classes but there are still four of the five sessions planned for Mondays from 7-9 p.m. at Harmony Hall in Grand Rapids. This series will be hosted by beer education specialist Ben Darcie.

 

The May 14 discussion will focus on sour maturation in sour beers from a representative of Speciation Ales. The May 21 discussion will feature a field trip to Gray Skies Distillery with representatives from Gray Skies, Long Road Distillers, Bier Distillery and Thornapple Brewing Company speaking about distilling.

 

The classes will wrap up on June 4 and will feature a brewer’s round table with 10 area brewers answering questions and dropping knowledge.

 

To learn more about Experience Beer WM, visit facebook.com/groups/ExperienceBeer .

Lindsay E. Papciak

 

Downtown Market offers cooking with beer class

 

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market will offer a class called “Cooking with Beer” on Tuesday, May 15 from 6-8 p.m.

 

The class, for ages 21 and older, will be allow for the making of a beer-inspired menu including a refreshing summer salad with beer vinaigrette, delicious beer-braised chicken, and chocolate stout cupcakes — yes, beer in dessert!

 

And you can complement your meal with your favorite brew, available for purchase from a curated list.

 

The cost is $95 per person. The market is located at 435 Ionia Ave. SW. For more information visit downtownmarketgr.com .

 

For those in need of a plan, here’s your Valentine’s Day cheat sheet


With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to prepare a weekend with your significant other because, and let’s be honest here, we know you haven’t planned anything yet.

If you’re one of those rare breeds who plans out Valentine’s Day months in advance, then you can use this for ideas for how to put a cherry on top of your picture perfect day. For the rest of us who just realized it’s already February 10, there’s still time, and here’s a cheat sheet.

For the sake of this list, we’ll skip dinner and go right to the good stuff. There are a lot of unique restaurants in Wyoming, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and the surrounding areas to sit down and have a nice dinner. If your partner doesn’t have a favorite spot, try something new! There are a lot of great options not too far away.

Here are some couple’s events sure to make for a delightful Valentine’s weekend.

The DeVos Performance Hall will be hosting two concert events this weekend. The Bad Boy Reunion Tour features Faith Evans, Mase, Carl Thomas, and Case on February 13 at 7:30 p.m. The following evening, Tommy Emmanuel will perform his upcoming album It’s Never Too Late.

Searching for a date idea that’s a little more “hands on”? Well, the Downtown Market has three events for you and your valentine. The Couples: Valentine’s Day cooking class is offered February 11, 12 and 13 and is a great way to relax with your partner and enjoy small plate demonstrations, an effervescent cocktail, and a little bit of hands-on cooking. Before the meal, enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar Lounge and their heated outdoor happy hour featuring specialty cocktails, craft beer, and select wine.

Robinette’s is hosting their Love, Wine & Chocolate event on February 13 from 1pm to 5pm. The cost is $12 per couple and includes wine tasting, a souvenir wine glass, and a chocolate snack bar. On top of the items to tickle your taste buds, you can also customize a pair of five-minute earrings with Sara Neal. Sara provides supplies for earrings and you pick out what you want. The earrings are then made right there in front of you. No reservation required.

Be a kid again at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Be a kid again at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Want a unique date to bring out you and your valentine’s inner child? Look no further than the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum’s 2nd annual Grown Up Play Date on Friday night. Play laser tag, participate in a building wide scavenger hunt, enjoy local craft beers, wines, and ciders, and “grown up” pizza offerings from local restaurants. The best part? It all benefits the Children’s Museum’s programs and exhibits. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are just $30 per person.

Looking for a unique beer experience centered around Valentine’s Day? Make sure to stop in at Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery and Supply out in Ada. Gravel Bottom has two Valentine’s Day beers that can either compliment a desert or be enjoyed on their own. The first is a robust porter called the Lion Heart which can be paired with chocolates and raspberries. Also on tap is the Susie Q, a cream ale packing a bouquet of flavor with hibiscus and rose hips. Cheers to love!

When it comes to valentines, ice can be nice. Grand Rapids is hosting their 3rd annual Valent-ICE festival this weekend. The festival is to celebrate love and winter in Downtown Grand Rapids and features over 50 sculptures and more than 15 tons of ice! Much like ArtPrize, residents can walk around the city and enjoy the sculptures over the weekend. On Saturday, February 13, the largest sculpture will be revealed and Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield of Food Network’s “Ice Brigade” will carve the public sculpture from 6,000 pounds of ice. The final piece will stand 12 feet tall.

Valent-ICE is very nice
Valent-ICE is very nice

Single? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lincoln Country Club on Lake Michigan Drive is hosting the Rivertown Singles ‘Lady in Red’ Party on Sunday from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Both girls and guys are invited to wear red, a little, a lot, or another color entirely if you prefer – whichever makes you feel most comfortable. For $8 you’re privy to a cash bar, a dance floor, drawings, and a lot of singles looking to mingle.

Who says only couples get to go out and have fun on Valentine’s Day?