151 Fountain Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 234-3700

Webster defines Scholar as (a person who has done advanced study in a special field, or a learned person). Well my friends I was in the company of many “learned” individuals last night.

Where you say… well Grand Rapids Community College of course. Who doesn’t associate college with beer drinking?!? Hidden inside a nondescript building. Two floors above an underground parking lot. Tucked back down a hallway, you’ll find one of my new favorite places for Michigan brewed beer.

FOUNTAIN HILL BREWERY is operated by students enrolled in the Craft Brewing, Packaging & Service Operations certificate. Just .5 miles from the Van Andel Arena, Fountain Hill made for a great stop on the way to rock out with Weezer and the Pixies.

Because this was a quick there and back evening trip from the east side, I didn’t get to sample as much off the beer menu as I would have liked to. Which only means one thing…… a return trip is a must and will be happening soon.

Along with a fairly priced $5.00 Pub Cheese plate I had the Handsome Devil 7% American Wild Ale. Fountain Hill describes this as having flavors of toffee, fig, brett funkiness (a temperamental yeast w/ funky aromas), oak and toasty maltiness, with a tart dry finish. That’s what stood out to me in this beer, the tart! My kinda beer. Just enough acidic fruitiness without being a sour. Not for everyone of course. Just ask my company. One sip caused a cheek pucker and violent head shake. To each his own.

She was washing her cheese and crackers down with the Posh English IPA 6.8%. This coming from an occasional beer drinker who prefers grapes to hops, “I really liked it. I’ve been struggling with enjoying beers lately. It wasn’t a super hoppy IPA. Seemed pretty mild, so it went down easy. Yummy for sure!” Folks, I think the point is pretty clear. Stick with me and we’ll find all the great beers together.

I’ll assume most locals already know of this hidden gem. If you don’t already and are in GR or planning a trip there for a show, perhaps your own brewery tour, I can’t recommend Fountain Hill highly enough! Walkable from Grand Rapids Brewing Co., Atwater, The B.O.B., HopCat, & Founders. This will be a stop near the top of my list each time I visit Grand Rapids. My yearly Art Prize trip just got a whole lot better.

Although it’s a fully functional brewery with 12 beers on tap and a small food menu, they keep limited hours of operation. They are still students. Check their website or give them a call before you make this your next stop.

Drink Michigan Beer