I typically make my way over to Grand Rapids twice per year. One of the regular stops for my friends and me is The Big Old Building or the B.O.B. as most people call it. It’s a mainstay in the community and a great nightlife attraction.
The B.O.B. is perhaps most famous for holding multiple venues inside its three floors, including:
- B.O.B’s Beer Garden
- B.O.B.’s Brewery
- Bobarino’s Restaurantt
- Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club
- House Of Music and Entertainment (HOME)
Between the live music, comedy club, great food, and delicious beer, it’s truly a special place. They have interesting and often hilarious decor, all based around the theme of BOB. I was obsessed with their rendition of the Last Supper, where the apostles and Jesus were replaced with famous BOB-named celebrities. Jesus was Bob Ross, naturally.
You can imagine my broken heart when I learned last year that The B.O.B. was closing its doors in early 2022. My dismay went away after nine months when I learned a few weeks ago that The B.O.B. was reopening and back!
I didn’t want to miss an opportunity when I wasn’t sure how long it would last, so when my wife and I took a weekend trip to Grand Rapids, we made sure B.O.B.’s Brewery was on our list.
Their beer menu was limited, but the options ranged from your standard Blonde Ale and IPA to wild combinations like the Apricot Basil Shandy. This one was so unexpected and interesting, I decided to review it in more detail here.
This Shandy had a light, straw color edging toward light gold with a small fizzy head. It was crystal clear, and the appearance reminded me of any number of American Light Lagers.
B.O.B.’s Brewery’s menu described it as a “lite beer made with real apricots, enhanced with a hint of basil.” A taste-bud-provoking combination to be sure, and as a Shandy, I expected it to be light and sweet. From the smell, I got a mild amount of sweet apricot, but no basil.
On drinking, I enjoyed the sweet, puckery apricot flavor right up front, but it’s here that the spice of the basil mixed in and added an intriguing savoriness to the beer. The basil did much to cut the sweetness and balance it, making it an easy beer to drink.
The Apricot Basil Shandy was light in mouthfeel and had an aggressive fizziness in carbonation I’ve come to expect from Shandies.
The B.O.B. is one of those landmark places in Grand Rapids everyone needs to visit at least once. I was shocked when they closed their doors and were up for sale. Now that they’re back open, take advantage of the opportunity to see what they have to offer with their great brews!
Disclaimer: Zach purchased this beer for review.
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