Restaurant
Unclaimed profile7 Monks Taproom Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
7 Monks Taproom runs a serious beverage operation across formats. The cocktail list spans classics, drafts, and cans, with happy hour deals. Beer is the deepest category, pulling from Michigan and Belgian breweries plus a 3 Floyds feature. Wine and nonalcoholic options fill out the program without stealing focus. House spirits anchor a solid whiskey-led back bar.
- What should I order?
- Start with the House Old Fashioned, built on house bourbon, demerara and cherry syrup, and angostura. For something sparkling, the Monk 75 tops gin with L. Mawby's rosé. Beer drinkers should check the 3 Floyds feature, with Munsterfest or Zombie Dust as likely picks.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Craft beer enthusiasts will find a long list of styles and breweries. Cocktail drinkers get a broad range from $8 happy hour mules to the $15 Intergalactic Monk. Whiskey fans have a dedicated list with Buffalo Trace and Angel's Envy Rye.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Happy hour brings cocktails to $8 and drafts to $5. Regular pours run from $4 Pabst to $13 Belgian ales, and cocktails from $8 to $15. Wine by the glass sits between $8.50 and $19.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The program's range is unusual for a taproom: draft cocktails like The Intergalactic Monk, canned options like Nitro Espresso Martini, and a 3 Floyds featured brewery rotation. The beer list leans into Belgian classics alongside Michigan staples.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail program spans three formats: classics, draft, and canned. Happy hour pricing is aggressive, and the list includes both standards and creative drafts. Customer reviews praised the Espresso Monk-tini and Old Fashioned, reinforcing the program's quality.
Menu strengths
- — Broad format coverage: classic, draft, and canned cocktails.
- — Happy hour offers $8 cocktails.; Customers specifically praised the Espresso Monk-tini and Old Fashioned.
Standout selections
- — House Old Fashioned — house bourbon, demerara and cherry syrup, angostura.
- — Monk 75 — gin, lime, simple syrup, topped with L. Mawby's Sex sparkling rosé.
- — The Intergalactic Monk — dark rum, honey-cinnamon syrup, lime, Lindeman's Framboise.
Pricing: $8 happy hour cocktails; regular cocktails $8-$14; draft cocktails $10.50-$15.
Wine
A straightforward by-the-glass wine list covers major varietals and regions, from Michigan Pinot Grigio to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Happy hour wine at $5 is a solid entry point. The list shows variety without deep vintage or producer range.
Menu strengths
- — Variety of wines by the glass from different regions.
Standout selections
- — 2022 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon — rich, round, and plush.
- — Good Harbor Pinot Grigio — Leelanau Peninsula 2021.
- — Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc — fresh, juicy, vibrant acidity.
Pricing: Wine by the glass $8.50-$19; happy hour wine $5; Caymus Cabernet bottle $59.
Beer
The beer program is extensive, spanning Michigan craft, Belgian classics, and a featured brewery rotation. Happy hour specials are strong. The list includes Bell's, 3 Floyds, and Trappist options, indicating a curated but broad selection.
Menu strengths
- — Very large beer selection with many styles and breweries.
- — Featured brewery program highlights 3 Floyds.; Happy hour offers $5 drafts and $2.50 retros.
Standout selections
- — Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) — Belgian Quad.; Rochefort 10 — Belgian strong dark ale.
- — Zombie Dust — IPA from 3 Floyds.; Two Hearted — IPA from Bell's Brewery.
Pricing: Draft beers $4-$13; bottles and cans $3.50-$12; happy hour $5 drafts, $2.50 retros.
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options go beyond standard sodas, with a range of NA beers, sparkling hop water, and an NA canned cocktail. The selection is deliberate and reasonably priced, though it lacks the depth of the beer program.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple non-alcoholic beer options.; Includes a non-alcoholic canned cocktail.
Standout selections
- — Untitled Art NA Beer — Italian Pilsner, Juicy IPA, or Mango Dragonfruit Sour.
- — Casamara Club Super Classico — negroni-style botanical apertivo.
- — Zero Proof El Chavo Margarita — mango and habanero.
Pricing: NA beers $4.50-$8.50; sodas $3.50-$4.50.
Spirits
The spirits program is anchored by a solid house selection and a whiskey list that extends to premium bottlings like Angel's Envy Rye. Happy hour pricing on house spirits is attractive. The range is functional rather than exhaustive, but it covers the bases.
Menu strengths
- — Wide selection of whiskeys and bourbons.; House spirits available at happy hour price.
Standout selections
- — Buffalo Trace — bourbon.; Angel's Envy Rye — rye whiskey.
Pricing: House spirits $5 during happy hour; whiskey prices range $7-$40.
Community reviews
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