Before local breweries were established in the 1860s, Hollanders got their beer and ale from Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Even after taverns were established in Holland, the conservative Dutch would not enter saloons but arranged to have small kegs delivered to their homes—it was safer to drink beer than to drink the often tainted local water. It is said that Holland’s founder, A.C. Van Raalte, received a free keg each Saturday.

Anton Seif (pronounce sife), a German from Milwaukee, ran one of the earliest breweries in Holland in the late 1870s and operated a saloon at 180 River Ave., a building that still stands. Seif claimed he sold “The Beer without a Peer,” by the glass, pint, quart, or gallon. To keep his beer cold in the summer, he bought hundreds of blocks of ice harvested in the winter from Lake Macatawa.

Stroll the streets of downtown Holland during the annual

Make your way from west to east, learning about the local drink establishments and their history, all while enjoying good food and drink.

MHPN Pub Crawl.

1. HopCat 80 W 8th St

Constructed and opened in 2019, this place, although well known in the state, is brand new to this area. Stop in for great happy hour specials.

2. Big Lake Brewing 13 W 7th St

This is a newer establishment boasting a wide variety of beers made on site. With a menu of BBQ and pizza, this is also a good spot for a casual meal.

3. Waverly Stone Gastropub 20 W 8th St

Built in 1898, this Victorian Romanesque building has been home to Van der Veen clothing store and later Hansen Drug Store which occupied the building for almost 40 years. It gets its name from the locally quarried Waverly stone seen on the face of the building. Now you can enjoy its traditional pub atmosphere for a modern twist on your favorite pub dish.

4. New Holland Brewing 66 E 8th St

This building was originally built and occupied by The J.C. Penney Co. in the 1920s. New Holland Brewing Co. opened here in 2002 after major renovation to honor the original interior and exterior architectural details and is now a brewery known well around the state.

5. Our Brewing Company 76 E 8th St

A hip microbrewery constructed in a circa 1900 structure, stop in for beer and draft cocktails. Outside food is allowed here and many local establishments will deliver to your table.

6. Hops Tap Room 80 E 8th St

This structure was built as 4 separate storefronts in 1900 and now houses the Holland Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and this popular eatery where you can pick from 60 beers on tap.

7. The Curragh Irish Pub 73 E 8th St

Holland’s only Irish pub – serving traditional Irish and American pub fare and offering Guinness on tap. Swing by at 9pm on Thursday for Team Trivia.

8. Skiles Tavern 154 E 8th St

Skiles has been serving pizza downtown Holland since 1951. A traditional pizza tavern with darts and pool, Skiles is a great late-night hang.

9. The 205 Coffee Bar 205 Columbia Ave

205 is a coffee shop that also serves cocktails and snacks in a modern and airy atmosphere.

Share your experience with us at #mhpn2019 and #michiganplacesmatter!