High Five looks for funding to take next steps

GRAND RAPIDS — High Five Co-op Brewery is moving forward, with plans in the future to open a taproom. But it’s not easy, and the first co-op brewery in Michigan is asking for the public’s help.

The group has 13 days left on a Kickstarter campaign that launched in late August.

“The goal is $15,000,” said Josh Smith, General Director of the Board for High Five.

“We really want to get into a location,” he added, noting that the brewery plans on pouring beer, working with home brewers — both experienced and novice — and potentially offering food items for guests when it opens.

“We also want to go the extra mile in education,” said Smith.

In addition to continuing collaborations with local breweries — the next is in planning with EB Coffee & Pub — the brewery is also in the midst of planning monthly meetups to discuss progress and ideas, the first slated for Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Mitten Brewing Co.

“We’re really focused on fundraising and growing our membership,” said Laura Barbrick, Boa

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