From Brewery Vivant:
On Thursday September 2, Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits and partner Brewery Vivant will officially launch their new line of distilled spirits and draft cocktails, branded under the Broad Leaf name. The initial lineup includes a vodka and a gin available in various draft cocktails and in 750ml bottles for purchase at both breweries. The gin is infused with a collection of 9 botanicals: lemon peel, bay laurel, cardamom, angelica root, pink peppercorn, cassia, grains of paradise and of course coriander and juniper. It is a distinct & well balanced gin that serves a variety of cocktail opportunities. The vodka is distilled from grapes which impart a mild floral and fruit component creating a smooth versatile spirit that allows the flavors of the cocktail to take the spotlight. The pubs will offer rotating draft cocktails that feature each of these spirits with plans to expand to more offerings in the future.
“We set out to launch with a duo of spirits that are multi-functional and essential for any liquor cabinet - from experienced cocktail makers to those who are just beginning their home bartender journey. In addition we wanted to make base spirits that work well with a broad expanse of flavors. The aim is to use these versatile spirits to create unique and diverse draft and batched cocktails to serve at Broad Leaf and Vivant.” says VP of Product & Design Jon Ward. “FairGame Studio rocked out a cool modern design and we printed the labels at Middleton Printing here in GR on hemp paper with raised braille which has become a signature for Broad Leaf brands” he adds.
These first two spirits have been distilled in partnership with Long Road Distillers. These two craft makers have partnered together in the past for Long Road’s Beer City Whisky Series, which used Vivant’s Big Red Coq as the basis for a whisky in 2019. Excited to continue the partnership with Long Road, the company also plans to work with other distilleries depending on the type of spirit they are producing.
“Grand Rapids is making phenomenal spirits and we have so much respect for what our local distillers are doing. We wanted to utilize the expertise from our friends here in town to help guide us in crafting our own unique recipes as we build our Broad Leaf Spirits brand. We look to expand our offerings into whiskey, rum & cordials in the near future and look forward to partnering with other local great spirits makers as well” says CEO Jason Spaulding.
Vivant was originally envisioned as both a brewery and distillery back before owners Jason and Kris Spaulding opened the doors in 2010. However at that time the growing demand in the craft beer market was expansive enough to focus solely on brewing beer. Much change has taken place since those early days and consumers are increasingly interested in offerings beyond craft beer. Additionally, the Covid outbreak has had a defining impact on the craft beverage industry and the innovative leaders within it.
“The pandemic really forced us to look at our business model and step back to see what opportunities we could grow into. Given our focus on flavor exploration at Broad Leaf, spirits were a natural next step since they allow us to play with flavors both within the spirit itself and in the cocktails we serve them in” says Company President, Kris Spaulding.
Who we are
Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits is a Certified B Corporation and one of the first brewpubs and distilleries in the city of Kentwood. At our tasting room, we focus on flavor exploration, building community and finding the connections between industry and the natural environment. Broad Leaf explores what it means to be a modern American craft brewery and distillery.
Brewery Vivant is the world’s first LEED® certified commercial microbrewery and a Certified B Corporation. We brew beer in the European tradition with the addition of American ingenuity. At our pub we strive to elevate the enjoyment of beer & food and the sense of community in everything we do. Brewery Vivant prides itself on being a destination brewery in the “Beer City” of Grand Rapids. We are in the list of top 30 largest brewpubs in the U.S. according to Brewer’s Association definitions and have distribution throughout the State of Michigan.
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