Brewery Vivant Launching new Wood-Aged Sour Beer Program

Brewery Vivant will celebrate their fifth year brewing in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids on December 20. The brewery will launch a new sour beer program as part of their anniversary celebration.

On December 20, the brewery will release a wood-aged sour beer Anniversary Ale in its retail shop, a first for the brewery. The beer will be offered in a 500ml glass bottle. It is the first of Brewery Vivant's new, large scale sour and wild series of beers.

“We are launching our new sour beer program in glass bottles versus cans as higher CO2 volumes are part of this old-world style of wood aged beer.  The bottle provides champagne bottle-like protection from brewing with these wild yeasts.” Says owner and president, Jason Spaulding, “The anniversary ale will be the first offering out of our new wild & sour program where beer is fermented in foeders (large wooden tanks) and vast numbers of wood casks. Brewing in the Belgian tradition we use multiple wild yeasts & bacteria to create wonderful sour flavor complexity in these beers.  The hardest part is the waiting. Many of these beers will age for a year or more.”

The pub will be open its usual hours from Noon - 10PM on Sunday, December 20th, pouring exclusive and limited beers, serving extra special and creative dishes, and raising funds for the neighborhood’s elementary school.

The day will also include some surprises from beers, to food, to special guests. An informal program and the owners’ brief remarks will begin at 7PM.