Cheers! Downtown Market launches free summer-long happy hour series

As the temperatures begin to rise outside, the Downtown Market is raising its glass to cooling things down inside.

The market is launching a free “Happy Hour Libation Lectures” series this Thursday, May 5, and the weekly event that runs through August will give Grand Rapidians a chance to learn the ABCs of mixed drinks, beer, whiskey, and more. The classes, which run from 5-6:30pm at the Downtown Market every Thursday through the end of August, will be taught by folks from local distilleries and breweries and will range in topic from greenhouse-infused mixers and cider cocktails to “the martini debate” (Gin or vodka? Shaken or stirred? The debate will rage on in a very delicious way.).

“We wanted to give smaller spirit and beer producers a mouth piece in Grand Rapids,” Jenney Grant, the culinary and beverage manager at the Downtown Market, says, noting that several of the businesses involved have recently opened, such as Big Hart Brewing. Others won’t debut until later this year, including 18th Amendment of Muskegon, which is slated to open its doors in late fall or early winter. Other businesses involved in the series include:Long Road Distillers, Gray Skies Distillery, Our Brewing Company, and Uncle John’s Cider.

“This is a chance to promote smaller businesses,” she continues. “I know what you need as a small producer to be successful, and that’s to be able to tell your story and share your passion. This celebrates the things we love about Grand Rapids — that entrepreneurial spirit and getting to watch businesses become anchors in our community.”

Plus, Grant notes, the series is emblematic of a city that is increasingly dedicated to keeping its dollars local.

“People want to support local,” she says. “We’ve seen that with food and beer and now distilling and cocktails.”

The first lecture, which will start at 5pm today, Thursday, May 5, is titled “How To Use Your Cocktail Books,” and the kick-off event will focus on the book “Tequila Mockingbird,” which, as you can imagine, is chock full of drinks with a literary twist — think cocktails with names like “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margarita” and “Vermouth the Bell Tolls.”

Other upcoming events this month include “The Martini Debate” on Thursday, May 12, “Beer 101” from Big Hart Brewing Company on May 19, and a crash course on the Scandinavian spirit Aquavit from Long Road Distillers on May 26. To see the entire schedule, please go here.

Photos courtesy of the Downtown Market

Cheers! Downtown Market launches free summer-long happy hour series

Related Tags

Recommended Content

Across Our Network