Pure Michigan Pints

Big Lake Brewing

Holland, Michigan

This is my own subjective review. I’m highly opinionated. It’s out of 20 total (based on Beer Selection, Vibe, Service, and Beer Quality; I grade harshly and my 4 is probably most people’s 5. Also, I don’t count food against breweries in the total because not all breweries need food to be good and some are in a partnership with nearby restaurants.

While I’m a Muskegon native—not from Holland—I’ve watched the progression of Big Lake Brewing over the years. I visited them back in their old location many years ago. Even then, I was impressed. Their Holy Grail of beer is called Dark Star: a full-bodied coffee stout calling all other stouts to meet the calling of what a true stout is meant to be. These days it’s a distant memory, a rarity only whispered about (and, yes, I mean the non-barrel aged version; it existed, I swear). People unfamiliar with Big Lake don’t believe me that this beer is more than a myth.

Big Lake made their old location work but re-located to a bigger, more spacious downtown spot on 7^th street in Holland. This location provided obvious advantages: It expanded their audience (and seating), became far more accessible, and had the opportunity to provide a full kitchen. My January 13^th, 2018 Facebook review stated, “Going recently to the new location, I truly understand the feeling of having a favorite underground band ‘sell out’ and go mainstream.”

Here’s my take on Big Lake provided over many years of research (and two years as a mug club member):

Selection—2.5/5

It’s hazy beers all day here. Don’t be surprised to find ten on their 20-draft menu. We’re talking Blood Orange Haze, Pom Haze, Mango Haze, Pina-Colada Haze, and the notorious Cotton Candy Haze. And they’re amazing; do not get me wrong.

Big Lake knocks hazy beers out of the park. It’s a style they perfected. However, when over half of your draft list is only hazies, it leaves more to be desired. They rarely have stouts on draft. They’ll generally have some big boy double IPAs clocking in anywhere from 7-9% abv. Light fruit beers that taste ever-so-faintly of fruit, and perhaps a few oddities.

If a person hates IPAs and hazies, this simply is not the place to take them.

Vibe—3.5/5

The atmosphere screams, “restaurant” all day. It’s spacious. The bar is enormous and one of my favorite bars to sit at. They’ll often play whatever sports game is the most popular. When the weather is warm, they’ll open up the garage doors. Outside seating provides a different, cooler, vibe. It’s nice sitting on their patio any time of year—including in the winter when they have the fire going and you’re waiting for a table to open up.

Service—4/5

No matter how busy or slow they are, they’ll always make sure you have a beer coming, ask if you need anything, and be free to chat. I’ve met some of the best bartenders here who have a knack for conversation when warranted, and overall understand that it’s a professional business.

Beer Quality—4/5

As stated before, “Hazies all day.” While it’s not necessary for a brewery to perfect every style, there’s definitely some room for improvement—especially considering how big the brewery is. You’d think they’d want to perfect more styles.

Their barrel-aged beers’ flavor profile is off.

I don’t care for their entire barrel-aging program.

None of the barrel-aged beers have remotely hit the mark for me. (Other people, however, do like them, especially their Red Velvet beer. So don’t just take my word for it.)

But … their hazies are on. This is what it means to drink a hazy. I love Cotton Candy Haze—despite one reviewer’s colorful description, stating, “It tastes like fellating a clown in a petting zoo.” I guess I learn things about myself and what I’m into while drinking this beer. We all have our hobbies and interests, right? Or … this could just speak on the reviewer’s clown fetish. (Seriously, read the review. Amirite or am I right?) More often than not their hazy beers are good, a little fruity, refreshing, and satisfying.

Their double-IPAs are fresh. They don’t taste like 8-9% abv beers, which is, of course, dangerous, but let’s be honest: a bit fun. I recommend at least checking out the beer at Big Lake.

Food—1/5

Quoting Jim Carry in Liar Liar, “I’ve had better.” It’s a common phrase I think anytime I try something on Big Lake’s food menu. I don’t mean to cast shade here, but having worked in a few restaurants myself, I’ve simply served better, prepped better, and made better. It’s edible and if you’re super hungry and must eat versus wrapping your car around a tree, do what you must.

The menu changes frequently and remains inconsistent at best. After years in the same location, they haven’t figured out their groove. They used to have a few decent items such as a lobster mac and cheese, but the consistency of their mac is runnier now, and there is no lobster add-on option. They used to make a good hummus—which in all honesty is hard to fuck up—and boasted a happy hour menu which made it sting less to spend money on below mediocre food.

Chances are there’s nothing here you’re going to rave about and recommend to anybody.

Overall

I recommend going to Big Lake and checking it out. If you go to New Holland, you better go to Big Lake. At least do it for research/comparison purposes.

Cheers! Here’s to fellating clowns!

Overall—14/20