In a frothy rise to the top, Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been heralded as the best beer city in the United States for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 2024 "10 Best Readers' Choice" awards by USA Today. The city, known for its rich brewery scene featuring heavyweights like Founders Brewing Co. and the Belgian-inspired Brewery Vivant, has long claimed the moniker "Beer City USA." As per the report by WZZM13, this title comes after Grand Rapids managed to surpass other well-known beer-centric locales including Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The top ten rankings from USA Today featured, in order, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, Columbus, Ohio, Fort Collins, Colorado, and Richmond, Virginia, with Jacksonville, Florida, capturing the sixth spot on the list. The River City’s inclusion was highlighted not only for its burgeoning brewery count—which now exceeds twenty—but also for its innovative Jax Ale Trail, a self-guided tour giving beer aficionados a chance to win free prizes like T-shirts and koozies. Jacksonville’s Goozlepipe & Guttyworks at Kickbacks Gastropub even snagged the number seven spot in USA Today's Best Beer Bar list. This nod was detailed in an article by First Coast News.
Fighting off competition from 19 other cities to claim its title, Grand Rapids was held up for public voting to solidify its position at the summit of American beer cities. "Michigan’s second-largest city sports the state’s strongest beer scene, thanks largely to the presence of the world-renowned Founders Brewing Co.," said a release obtained by 99WFMK. It speaks to the city's claim to fame, with over 80 breweries listed on its official “Beer City Ale Trail” and a busy calendar packed with events catered to hops aficionados.
The culture embedded within these communities is not just one of consumption but also creation, with novice brewers finding ample opportunity to get their foot in the door amongst a thriving homebrewing scene. USA Today's accolade recognizes cities that have truly made brewing an integral part of their identity, with beer festivals and specialty beer stores also being part of the criteria for the selection. The landscape of American beer continues to evolve dynamically, and cities like Grand Rapids and Jacksonville are standing testament to a craft that has long been a staple of American culture.
