Microbrewery goes green to make its brews

By BECKY McKENDRY
Capital News Service
LANSING — In a trendy neighborhood in downtown Grand Rapids, the Brewery Vivant in an old funeral parlor boasts original hardwood detailing, ornate stained glass windows – and Belgian-inspired farmhouse beer, escargot and duck nachos. And it contributes to the environment. In only its second year of business, Brewery Vivant has established itself as one of the leading eco-friendly breweries in the nation, and was the first in to become Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, a standard for high-performing green buildings. It’s also one of only six Michigan breweries to can their beer, along with Keweenaw Brewing Co. of Houghton; MillKing It Productions of Royal Oak; Rochester Mills Production Brewery of Auburn Hills; Atwater Brewery of Detroit; and Perrin Brewing Co.