Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival: Cheers All!

To have an opportunity to sample many exciting offerings in one place — and just in time for the holidays — is nothing short of brilliant timing as the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival returns for their  fifth year.  

By arriving a full week earlier than in past years, it gives you and the more than 12,000 people who will migrate to downtown’s DeVos Place that edge in party planning or culinary gift giving, as you consider what is delivered right to your city’s doorstep.

One of the highlights of this annual event is the chance to partake in the very limited seating food/beverage pairing meals, where local chefs give you front row access to their creations and thoughts on entertaining. As you dine, you will hear firsthand about the food they prepare and toast it with some of the best vintage in the world. Again, personal connections made right in the heart of your city.

To me, the highlight of the festival this year is to have the opportunity to hear former Grand Rapids Press food critic Jaye Beeler. She will share stories about her beautifully rich and downright gorgeous book celebrating Michigan’s artisanal food industry, Tasting and Touring Michigan’s Homegrown Food: A Culinary Roadtrip. The text is brought to life through the skilled eye of Grand Rapids’ award-winning photographer Dianne Carroll Burdick, whose images are contained within the book.

And, how can you have a food and beverage festival event in Beer City USA and NOT have beer be a part of it? Be sure to visit and sample from 21 breweries, including Arbor Brewing Company, Arcadia Ales, Atwater Brewing, Bell’s Brewing, Brewery Vivant, Cranker’s Brewery, Darkhorse Brewing Company, Dragonmead Brewery, Founders Brewing Company, Jaden James, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Mount Pleasant Brewing, New Holland Brewing Company, North Peak Brewing Company, Paw Paw Brewing, Perrin Brewing, Right Brain Brewery, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Short’s Brewery, Tri-City Brewing, and Wolverine State Brewing.

For a complete list of events as well as pricing of various activities, please visit the event site.