Pure Michigan Pints

New Holland 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.

As someone who’s lived in Holland for over four years, I’ve gone to New Holland Brewing my fair share of times (and then some). To be honest the one thing I always say about New Holland:

It’s impressive. They’ve been in the game the longest but fail to have the best beer in any category.

Founded in 1997, they’re older than many of their employees and should have the best beer around—at least something monumental to stand out—but they simply don’t. Sure, you can be one of those people that get a major hard-on for Dragon’s Milk, but to be honest: it’s shit. A heavy imperial stout poorly barrel aged. Now, if you throw other ingredients like chocolate, coffee, or marshmallows in, it suddenly tastes great.

This is called covering up a turd.

Don’t get me wrong. New Holland has average beers in many different categories. Take for example: Mad Hatter, Poet’s Stout, and Cabin Fever. Combine this with Trangerine Space Machine and it’s not a bad lineup.

Selection—5/5

This is one category I cannot ding New Holland in. They’ll have lighter beers, stouts, IPAs as well as seltzers and newer styles of beer. (I didn’t even know a milkshake seltzer was a thing until I went here.)

The variety of beers on tap and having a decent tap list is not an issue for this place, and when I do take people here I am thankful they offer so many different kinds—and even have cocktails too. (Their Beer Barrel Bourbon is one of the best and most affordable bourbons around and is a staple in my household—bourbon and soda all day, baby!)

Vibe—3/5

Basic would be the best word to describe New Holland. Nothing stands out. It’s like a typical brewery with a variety of high tops, tables, and a bar. I will admit the bar is a great place to sit if you’re having a beer by yourself, and as the loner I am, I’ve found great solace over the last few years at New Holland’s bar.

Service—2/5

The servers are friendly and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, friendly and knowledgeable doesn’t equate to being efficient and speedy. A part of it may be over-crowding and understaffing (which I know may not be the brewery’s fault). I’ve never been super impressed by the service, but on the same note, they don’t disappoint too hard—except between beers when you really wish you would have ordered another one after your food came out. (It’s not uncommon for the bartenders or servers to get caught up in conversations with their fellow employees and temporarily forget about you even if you’re seated at the bar right in front of them.)

Beer Quality—3/5

As stated at the beginning: nothing stands out as the best in class. Tangerine Space Machine is more than a decent enough IPA, and I swear the tangerine taste is more pronounced and fresher at the brewery. One of my personal favorite beers is the pub-brewed Passion Blaster—a rose-hipped raspberry fruit ale coming in at 6.3% abv. It’s the perfect thirst quencher after working up a sweat walking around downtown Holland. The variety of Dragon’s Milk can entertain the taste buds, but don’t expect much else here. If you’re looking for a crazy good or unique beer, New Holland simply isn’t it.

Food Menu—2/5

Much like the beer, there’s not much you’re going to brag to your friends about. One of the local popular items are Pepperoni Pinwheels served with chipotle ranch. These, I’ll admit, are good—despite my initial skepticism. You’re better off going to Skyles up the street or to Fricano’s if you’re looking for pizza. I am fond of New Holland’s fried chicken sandwich with dragon fire rub (the perfect umami combination of spicy, sweet, and savory). But I’ll admit this item’s regressed over the course of the last two years; no garlic aoli and often times it’s left in the fryer too long.

Overall

If you’re downtown, you have to check out New Holland. Many, many, many people love this brewery. Sometimes in the summer they’re so busy it’s hard to find seating. Personally, I think they’re a bit more on the over-rated scale, but they’re not an overall bad option. They’re one of the perfect places downtown as a first stop for beer and pinwheels.

Total—13/20