Editor's Letter

There are political events, and then there are barn parties in rural Michigan. On May 14 in Mason County, the two became one and the same.

As I write this, Grand Rapids is not the bustling city I’ve come to know. Instead, COVID-19 has turned our city into a town where families are sequestered at home, and there still is much inequality within our city. 

As an artist at heart, the annual Arts issue of Grand Rapids Magazine has always been my favorite. This edition, brimming with creativity and inspiration, showcases the vibrant culture of our hometown and is a true joy to put together.

There’s an old adage, a suggestion for would-be authors that goes like this: write what you know.

Make sure to set aside some time to visit your favorite places and show them support after such a tough past year.

Hi everyone. It’s been a good ride, but unfortunately this issue is a bittersweet goodbye as my time at the helm of Grand Rapids...

The craft beer scene in West Michigan was completely different in the mid-90s.

There’s an argument that Woodford Reserve is one of the first true craft distilleries.

One of the best things about living in Grand Rapids is the city’s vibrant arts community. September is an exciting time because many of the community’s finest performing arts organizations kick off their seasons, from the ballet to the symphony to the theater.

Today is International Beer Day — yes, yet another made-up holiday that encourages us to drink or eat more.

Shortly before leaving for Las Vegas in 2017, I shot a segment of "Beer Beat with Pat" on WZZM 13 at Thornapple Brewing Company, at 6262 28th St SE in Grand Rapids.

There’s a really cool whiskey event in Grand Rapids this weekend.

Selecting the city's best restaurants gets harder every year.

The past two-plus years have been incredibly difficult for everyone.

Midwesterners are known for our modest niceness, our “opes” and our inclination to make fun of ourselves.

Summer might look a little different this year, but that didn’t stop us from putting together our annual City Guide.

One of the reasons I fell in love with beer was the stories around it.

A year or so ago, I was scrolling through my Instagram, as a millennial is apt to do, and I saw my childhood friend Collin O’Brien rocking out on drums.

Pretty much every Michigan town worth its salt has a decent brewery pumping out great beer, and the amazing aspect of Michigan living for a beer lover is a trip to one of those towns often is less than an hour away.

Pickleball! If you don’t know what it is, go look it up and try it out.