Vivant celebrates homebrewers with Rare Beer & Food Experience

GRAND RAPIDS — The parking lot was definitely an indicator that we’ve reached Conference Week. License plates from Florida, Alabama, Oregon, Maryland, Iowa and Ohio, just to name a few, were present in Brewery Vivant’s lot prior to the start of the second and last day of its ‘Rare Beer & Food Experience’ event. Attendees got to fulfill their appetites with this exclusive food and beer pairing event featuring the Belgian-inspired small batch beers Vivant is known for.

The newly renovated patio/beer garden spaces played host for some 60 AHA members and their guests. “Michigan weather welcomes you!” Brooks Twist, Prophet (yes — that’s his title), greets a member of Beer Nuts, a homebrew club from Cedar Rapids, Iowa at Station #2 during the on again, off again down pour of summer rain. Despite uncontrollable weather situations, everyone stayed reasonably dry while they enjoyed the culinary treats and rare beer that the kitchen staff and brewers offered.

Four stations each offered different

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