Grand Rapids brewery marks city’s birthday with new beer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — To commemorate Grand Rapids’ 175th anniversary, City Built Brewing Company has designed a new lager to celebrate West Michigan’s unique heritage and biodiversity.

“This particular one is a lager,” Edwin Collazo, CEO and president of City Built Brewing Company, said. “It’s going to be light in body and color.”

Available on draft and in cans, City Built’s new collaboration with the city of Grand Rapids is another example of unique partnerships between the brewery and organization’s around town, including its prior beverage release with local podcast Bad Idea Social Club.

City Built Brewing Company has collaborated with the City of Grand Rapids to release a new beer that commemorates the city’s 175th anniversary. (Courtesy City Built Brewing Company)
City Built Brewing Company has collaborated with the City of Grand Rapids to release a new beer that commemorates the city’s 175th anniversary. (Courtesy City Built Brewing Company
City Built Brewing Company in Grand Rapids. (Sept. 14, 2020)

“We do have a reputation for being collaborative and working with lots of breweries on different beers,” Collazo said.

A student from Kendall College of Art and Design — Abe Jannenga — crafted the commemorative design for the can’s label. It includes motifs of Grand Rapids’ iconic river and the various examples of biodiversity in the natural area.

“I think it’s a really cool can and a really cool opportunity for that student,” Collazo said.

The new beer will be available at select bars around town beginning this Friday, though customers can sample the drink now at City Built Brewing Company or during the group’s next event.

“This Saturday, we’re actually celebrating Oktoberfest,” Collazo said. “It’ll be on tap. We’ll have live music to celebrate Oktoberfest but also to celebrate the beer.”