About Vander Mill
Vander Mill presses Michigan apples into hard cider in a former beer distribution building on Ball Avenue on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. Paul and Amanda Vander Heide opened the business in 2006 as a cider mill in Spring Lake, released their first hard cider in 2009, and moved production here, raising the roof three feet to fit 12,000-gallon tanks. They were among the founders of the Michigan Cider Association, and their ciders have collected about a hundred competition awards.
The taproom pours the core lineup, from the crisp Hard Apple and the Honeycrisp to Totally Roasted, a spiced cider, and heirloom versions made with blueberries, raspberries and Chapman's apples. Heritage ciders made from English and old American apple varieties such as Dabinett, Yarlington Mill, Spitzenburg and Golden Russet appear as special releases. Beer joined the list in 2022, and the bar also has spirits. For anyone not drinking, the sparkling non-alcoholic Honeycrisp is available, with seasonal flavors such as apple cherry in spring, apple blueberry in summer and apple cranberry in winter.
A kitchen serves food with the ciders, and the week has a rhythm: Burger & Pint Night on Tuesdays, music bingo on Wednesdays and trivia on Thursdays, with happy hour pricing on pints, flights and starters on weekday afternoons from 3 to 6. Private event space can be booked.
Great Lakes Lavender Farm in Rockford is about 30 minutes northeast. The farm is not open for visits, but online orders can be picked up there on Wednesday and Friday mornings and early afternoons.
What to do
- Order a flight of Michigan hard ciders, including the heirloom fruit ciders
- Look for heritage cider releases made from English and old American apples
- Try the sparkling non-alcoholic Honeycrisp cider
- Come for Burger & Pint Night on Tuesday, bingo on Wednesday or trivia on Thursday
- Stop in for weekday happy hour, 3–6 p.m.
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday; seasonal non-alcoholic flavors change through the year
- Hours
- Posted on their website (2026): Tuesday–Thursday 3–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
Tips for your visit
- Weekday happy hour (Tuesday–Friday, 3–6 p.m.) takes $3 off pints, flights and starters
- The sparkling non-alcoholic cider is a good pick for kids and drivers
- Plan a designated driver or a ride home
Pair it with a lavender farm
Great Lakes Lavender Farm · about 30 minutes away
Great Lakes Lavender Farm in Rockford is about 30 minutes northeast; it is not open for visits, but online orders can be picked up there Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Getting there
Questions
Does Vander Mill have non-alcoholic cider?
Yes, a sparkling non-alcoholic Honeycrisp, plus seasonal flavors.
Is there food?
Yes, the taproom has a kitchen, with Burger & Pint Night on Tuesdays.
When did Vander Mill start?
In 2006, as a cider mill in Spring Lake; it later moved to Grand Rapids.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Rockford, Lowell & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
