Higher Grain’s rustic, bright aroma of lemon citrus gives way to a fruity yet noticeable coffee flavor on the sip. The beer also features Michigan-sourced Wheat in the malt bill (hence “higher grains”) and of course, Lake Michigan water, as Brewery Vivant uses municipal Grand Rapids water.
“Creating a beer for after a morning run, we definitely wanted something bright. Augmenting it with coffee seemed only natural for the early hour,” said Spaulding. “Higher Grounds worked closely with us to find a coffee that would complement that bright citrus note with DR Congo Muungano single origin beans.”
Higher Grounds is a Traverse City-based coffee roaster that sources organic coffee via long-term, mutually beneficial trade relationships. Beyond fair trade, Higher Grounds promotes growers' well-being by supporting clean water access, emergency relief and other projects that build peaceful, resilient, and sustainable communities.
“The Brewery Vivant and Higher Grounds partnership is a great example of how two small businesses can collaborate to make a positive impact in the community,” said Elissa Hillary, president of Local First. “We love that our community will have the chance to experience this amazing B Corp partnership first-hand at Gazelle Girl this weekend through this new beer.”
Higher Grains will debut on tap and in 16oz pint cans at Brewery Vivant on Thursday April 20. It will also make a sneak peek appearance at the Sneakers & Sass race weekend kick off event at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids Friday before the race. Finally, the beer will accompany Brewery Vivant’s flagship beer, Farm Hand, on draft at the Finish Line for each participant (as well as on sale for spectators to enjoy). After the race weekend, Brewery Vivant will send a keg up to the Little Fleet in Traverse City to celebrate with the Higher Grounds folks and a limited amount of cases to Burritt’s Market.
About Brewery Vivant
The brewery is located in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, in a renovated funeral chapel built in the early 1900’s. Their staff of around 60 employees specialize in Belgian/French inspired beers and fare in a completely unique setting. Husband and wife partners Jason and Kris Spaulding opened the doors for business in December of 2010. Vivant beers are distributed throughout Michigan and the greater Chicago area. They are the first commercial brewery in the nation to receive Silver LEED Certification from the USGBC. Additionally they are 100% renewable powered, a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business, and are a certified B Corporation. Beer the Change®!
About Higher Grains
Roasting small-batch, artisanal coffees in Traverse City, Michigan, Higher Grounds supports social and environmental sustainability both locally and globally. We meet with our growers—traveling down dirt roads, past washed-out bridges, and up mountainsides. We drink coffee together, talking about the best ways to keep their farms sustainable and profitable. In this way, we provide coffee drinkers with the opportunity to engage in a cycle that begins at, and returns to, the growers. It's a simple idea, and our recipe for providing "Exceptional coffee from a world of good friends."
