Grand Rapids continues to draw attention from around the country for our quality of life, affordability, economy, education, beer, etc. We've heard we are the best place to raise a family, start a business, retire, and so much more. How about best place to have a cocktail?

Yep, Grand Rapids is being ranked this week by the popular online site Travelocity, along with the American Distilling Institute, as one of the Top 10 Craft Spirits Tourism Destinations in America.

Travelocity says, “This interest in craft goods extends to travelers, as visitors increasingly look to have experiences that are both authentic and local. The first ever Craft Spirits Tourism Index looks at factors including the number of craft distilleries by population, the number of awards received by local craft spirits, accessibility by air, hotel costs and more.”

The ranking identifies these 10 “Large Metro Areas” (1 million +), and guess who's number 10?

1) Seattle, WA
2) Portland, OR
3) Denver, CO
4) Washington, DC
5) San Diego, CA
6) Philadelphia, PA
7) Austin, TX
8) Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
9) St. Louis, MO
10) Grand Rapids, MI

Did you know we're home to several award-winning distilleries and tasting rooms? Yep, again, we are. They include Bier Distillery, Grand Traverse Distillery, Gray Skies Distillery, Long Road Distillers and New Holland Brewing’s Knickerbocker Brewpub & Distillery.

Experience Grand Rapids, the local convention and visitors’ bureau for Kent County, has worked to draw attention to the region’s growing craft spirits and cocktail industries and is planning its annual GR Cocktail Week, November 8-19, 2017. The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, which will celebrate its tenth annual event, November 16-18, 2017, expanded its focus on craft cocktails and spirits to its event which draws more than 18,000 over a three-day period.

 

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