Just got home from a long weekend in Holland, MI. It was not planned to be a beer trip, but it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise on the craft beer front. We ate at many solid restaurants, all of which had at least 1-2 craft beers on tap. Mad Hatter was very popular, so I gained an appreciation for that brew on the trip. Of note were Boatwerks (solid fish on right on the lake), Curragh Irish Pub (great corned beef and fish and chips), Fricano's Too (great dive pizza bar), City Vu/City Sen (cool lounge/restaurant in City Flats hotel). What was completely unexpected was how awesome 8th Street Grille was. Beers that I enjoyed on tap over the weekend: Plead the 5th, Festina Peche, Founders RIS, and Odd Side Hodge Podge Porter. Great tap turnover, outstanding assortment of brews, and unreal prices. Their most expensive tap beers were 12 oz. pours for 5 bucks. You just don't get that in other big time craft beer areas in MI. The food looked delicious, as well, and I look forward to eating there when we go back. New Holland was a great underrated experience again as well. I drank my fair share of cask conditioned Mad Hatter over the weekend, which was creamy and delicious. We went there for dessert twice and got Dragon's Milk bread pudding both times. Ridiculously good. Great service, cool atmosphere, and something for everyone. Picked up a 2008 Dragon's Milk from the Library and some Hopquila to take home. Along with the beaches, the town atmosphere, the shopping, the great coffee at LemonJello's, and the farmer's market on Saturday, there was plenty to do. Very family-friendly atmosphere everywhere, as well. For what it's worth, I thought I would share my experience with the town. We will be going back, and I will be looking forward to it.
Aside from the homophobic, racist, atmosphere of Holland, it does have a few great places to stop. Back when I was a teenager, it even had a decent record store. Can't stand the city now, even with decent beer destinations. I grew up in the area, and I have too many bitter memories to call it enjoyable. I stop down to New Holland every now and then, but otherwise Holland can F off.
I don't know about the racist part of this, and don't take this the wrong way, but the town did not strike me as homophobic at all based upon what I saw of it. The town seemed fairly balanced in terms of both progressives and conservatives. It saddens me to hear that you had that negative experience.
Thanks for the props for The 8th Street Grille. We try real hard to bring in interesting beer at good prices. We have added taps till we can't add anymore and have 28 now. It has been a journey and we are finally getting some recognition that we have great craft beer and lots of variety. Up until 3 months ago we filled growlers but there are some new restrictions that came up but are working hard to have it written into law and hope to have it done by the end of the year or the first quarter of next. Then many more places will be able to fill great Michigan craft beer in growlers. We certainly are not part of any racist atmosphere that may have existed or still does. We consider ourselves progressive and hope if anyone is in Holland to visit New Holland Brewing they stop in and visit us only 2 blocks away for some more great Michgian craft Beer. We will be tapping a hard to find Founder's Frangelic Mountain Brown on Friday July 13. We tapped a Founders Devil Dancer today. We have a Short Tap Takeover scheuduled in Sept with lots of other great beers in the cellar including a hard to find keg of Dogfish 120 IPA. Thanks again for the kind words, we hope to see you again in Holland.
Holland is a great place to visit. I live just up the Lakeshore and hadn't spent much time in Holland until this spring when I went to the 8th street grill to meet a friend and then to New Holland...I go back regularly now and its always such a positive experience. Holland has great shops, food, beer, atmosphere, and not to mention the big thing called Lake Michigan. Thank you 8th street grill for all you do for Michigan craft beer and for what you offer for patrons to try in West Michigan....Tip of the hat to you. and oh to sullenbee...do us a favor and stay the hell away, sounds like you are part of narrow minded hipster movements who us beer lovers don't enjoy sitting next to and hearing their negative BS at fine establishments in Holland or elsewhere.
Sorry to hear that you didn't have the best of experiences while you lived in Holland. We have our problems just like other cities, but I think the terms "homophobic" and "racist" are a bit extreme. We do have a number of places that serve great beer, most notably the 8th Street Grille. I could also tell you about a number of people who have moved to other hip places: Chicago, Portland, Denver, Nashville...even Grand Rapids but have found their way back to Holland. There must be a reason. Also, there still IS a great record store here. Mine. Its called The Full Circle.
My girlfriend and I vacationed in Holland last summer. Fantastic trip. Great food, great beer, great kayaking on the lake. Beautiful downtown, and the event where all the street performers come out at night was fantastic. Didn't get to visit 8th Street, but next time! Also interested in visiting this record store. Love me some good music.
Holland is changing! I am an active member of these organizations (and I work at 8th Street Grille, where regulars of all shapes and colors enjoy craft in harmony!) http://hollandisready.org/ http://untilloveisequal.com/
Well, you guys do a damn fine job of it. Please don't change. 8th Street will be a place that I talk up for a long time, and I won't visit Holland without going back. Also, on the food front, the BLT with the locally grown tomatoes from the farmer's market sounded spectacular, and I was sad I didn't get to try it. Keep us all posted on the Shorts Tap Takeover. I will be making a trip back out at some point before October, and I would love to try to make it to that. Cheers!
8th Street Grille is a wonderful establishment. I anticipate our tap takeover to be quite memorable with a stellar list of exciting Short's brews.
Is this Britton's friend, the manager? If so, I would like to personally promote this guy. He pushed the owner of 8th st. grille into becoming a tap house and now a must-visit for BAs coming to the area. In my opinion, that place was going under before the change was made. I remember suggesting that they double the taps and go all out, but instead, they just bring in ridiculous kegs and tap takeovers that for some reason others can't get. So, if it is you, good job. If it isn't and you're the owner, give your manager a raise.
Well I appreciate the feedback. We made the decision a few years ago to put in some better craft beer (at New Holland Brewings urging, thanks Brett) and we just kept expanding as the market accepted what we were doing. After 25 years we were not going under but I can certainly see how the changes have helped grow our business in a good way. We hope to be a leader in premium craft beer for another 25 years. Thanks for the support.
One more "thing". We have a custom App being developed which is now submitted for approval to Apple and we expect it to be available sometime next week. Same for Android. The app will have all our taps, events and specials. I will let everyone know as soon as it can be downloaded. Thanks again for all the BA support.
Our App for The 8th Street Grille was released today. It has our complete tap list, events, specials, menu etc. It will always be the most up to date list of our taps. It is available in the Apple App store and Android. Search for 8th Street Grille. Thanks again for all the support.
I feel bad for you.....It must have been tough coming out, or growing up gay in any city in the early 90's, but I don't think the entire city should be written off as homophobic, or racist because you had a hard time with a few, misguided bullies
