Brewery Vivant is a small brewery located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The brewery features a number of regularly-brewed beers, as well as a plethora of small-batch and experimental brews only available at their tasting room. The tasting room is in a bit of an odd location—it’s an old funeral home.

Brewery Vivant was inspired by Belgian farmhouse breweries. They continue to specialize in Belgian-style beers, though they have expanded their repertoire to include other European styles, as well as American styles and experimentations. As a result, Brewery Vivant’s beer list is wide-ranging and eclectic, though all of their beers are clearly produced with an artisanal approach. The beer list also changes frequently, so there’s always something for everyone and always a reason to come back to try new beers. We were able to try four different beers, each one quite different than the next. We tried a lager, a historical farmhouse ale, a blackberry lactose IPA, and a fruited sour ale blend with strawberry and rhubarb. We found each beer to be well-made, and most of them tasted different than anything else we had ever had before.

The brewery also has a small food menu featuring local ingredients. There are a handful of sandwiches, burgers, and salads, along with a few appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The food could best be described as elevated pub food. While we didn’t enjoy a full meal, we ordered fries with aioli and were pleased with our selection.

While the setting is a bit odd, Brewery Vivant makes some unique and delicious beer. It is well worth a visit if you’re on a beer tour of Michigan.