Pure Michigan Pints

Speciation Cellars

Grand Rapids, Michigan

It’s time. FOR A NEW BREWERY REVIEW. I’ve hibernated over the winter with a usual dose of SAD (maybe I haven’t had enough craft beer in my life), but I’m back. Or maybe I’m going to just make one appearance.

As recommended by Grand Rapids locals, I tried Speciation Cellars—a new spot to me that focuses on these crazy wild ales; their menu is insane. I was warned the place may not be the easiest to find. But luckily they had a big sign directing me in. If not, I would have more than likely gotten lost …

Beer Selection — 4/5

Even though they had around 12 beverage selections, they didn’t skimp in the realm of creativity. Some of the wild ales really hit. For my first beer, I tried Megafauna, an oak aged sour ale with cherries and beets (yes, you read that correctly) coming in at 8% abv. They even had a regular lager and pale ale to appeal to the masses. In the realm of decadence, an imperial stout with vanilla and fudge was on draft as well.

To be exact, they had 8 beers on draft, two seltzers, one cider, and four wines. While I enjoy variety, I stuck to the beers (but did try a sip of one of the seltzers). Their draft selection varies. (As I publish this two weeks later, it is already different.)

Vibe — 4/5

The vibes in here are interesting. Slightly industrial (as is expected in many places) with interesting art on the walls. This is a creative place. Brewing equipment is seen in the background. It’s cozy without being too much and without trying to hard. They clearly don’t want to be something they’re not.

Service — 5/5

I was the only person in the brewery upon arrival. The bartender was friendly enough and even made recommendations for other breweries when I told him I didn’t reside in Grand Rapids. To top this off, he even gave me an industry/friends/family discount on my beers.

Beer Quality — 4/5

This is where Speciation really shines through in the realm of uniqueness—these beers were crazy (but in the BEST possible way). I like my flavors bold; I like places that take risks. Which I know isn’t as common in the industry anymore. Places seem to be sticking to the safer beers or making shittier beverages. I do get the need to create beers the general public wants, but I don’t like when the market is so saturated in predictability and blandness. Again, they had the lager and pale ale to accommodate a beer drinker not ready to take the full dive into flavor land. (And these two beers were actually flavorful for what they were.)

For me, the best beer they had on draft that I tried was the imperial stout. It had a great creaminess and the vanilla and fudge made for a luxurious sipper.

Food—N/A

Overall — 17/20

You can’t go wrong heading to Speciation. It’s a cool place with cool vibes with tasty beer. (A.k.a.—Everything you could want out of a brewery.)